31/08/2014 Sportscene

It's been an intriguing start to this Premiership season.

Shock results, managerial sackings already,

Never a dull moment, and this final instalment of Sportscene before the

Fittingly, two former Scotland internationals

The St Johnstone assistant manager Callum Davidson and the Aberdeen

We kick things off with today's lunchtime game.

Would Celtic bounce back after being dumped out of

the Champions League following that painful midweek defeat to Maribor?

Or could Paul Hartley's unbeaten Dundee inflict further damage

Celtic insist Virgil Van Dijk is staying with the club. But he does

not play at dens Park. Kris Commons is back in the starting lineup,

wearing the captain 's armband. Dundee, six matches unbeaten to

start the season, but this is not a bad start of the game. From Roberts,

who forces a corner kick straight from kick-off. Roberts delivers, and

the Chargers led by James McPake. Wendy Aaron Groom land, head inside

50 seconds. It was Callum McGregor on the post. He had a swing at it

and missed. And Dundee are in front. James McPake under pressure

defensively. Anthony Stokes nips in front of him, but does not catch the

shot. No great test, of Letheren. And Peter McDonald snicks the ball

wide. There is bags of room for Roberts to play it back in. Peter

Macdonald gave it his best shot. He could not quite stretch far enough.

Greg Stewart. Roberts. He gets away from Emilio Izzaguirre. What a touch

from Craig Gordon to divert that onto the post. It is a terrific save

to keep the score at 1-0. Roberts, through the middle. Peter Macdonald

is after it, and Craig Gordon, charging off his line, could not get

there. Had done the's top goalscorer been able to keep this down it was

2-0. Ronnie Deila looking for some answers from his team, and that is a

good save from Letheren right on half-time. Efe Ambrose got the

faintest of touches. Sharply flexes to divert this over the top from the

goalkeeper. -- Sharp reflexes. Theron kyeld, and Leigh Griffiths,

deflected, and in. He has given Celtic nu des mention, and that came

off -- he has given Celtic a new dimension. And he scores against his

old club. The pass finds its way through, and Martin Boyle is in

acres of room. His shot was deflected wide. He has made an

impact off the bench. Jason Denayer got a touch on that. Dundee, again,

and again, Martin Boyle threatening down that right-hand side, and the

shot beaten away by Craig Gordon. He got all of the room that he could

possibly want down that right-hand side, Martin Boyle. James McPake

with a header away. Celtic looking fragile defensively. They are under

threat again. Martin Boyle took the shot on himself and dragged it wide.

Had he looked up and seen who was available, it was surely 2-1.

O'Connell, to Anthony Stokes. Griffiths. And Anthony Stokes again.

He rattles the outside of the post. Celtic have been much better in the

second half, they have had to be. Griffiths again, lining up the shot.

Letheren able to deal with it this time. A comfortable stop. Stokes.

For is a Geary, trying to get to the byline. -- for Emilio Izzaguirre.

And there might be another chance that the right-hand side, this time,

Tankulic. Paul Hartley will be disappointed his team have not won

the scheme. It was a good start, it getting a goal after a minute but

the way we played overall was fantastic. After 20 minutes I think

we were good, then the game opened up. And we were to open. The pace

and concentration and determination, I thought that we

were hard to beat. Virgil Van Dijk is important, that is why we want to

keep him here, but I think now we have to make everybody together.

Celtic, four games without a victory, and an incredible start to

the match, with a James McPake goal. Was it a well worked corner or just

pro-Celtic defending? -- per Celtic defending.

The guys in a box do not know who they are picking up. McDonald has

caused a few problems on the back stick. I do not think that it is a

first timer. Let's pick up McDonald. He is covering the goalkeeper. I

think that was a lack of concentration from Callum McGregor,

on the line. In terms of Celtic knot at their best, but, Barry, Dundee,

Paul Hartley seem to win a tactical battle. At times it looked like

Dundee could win the match. I thought that they were excellent. It

is a great first touch. He uses his pace. Lovely ball out to Peter

Macdonald. He could maybe have taken that Brown the goalkeeper. But look

at the pace, the pace in the team was great. Causing Celtic problems

down the left-hand side, and Celtic struggled a little bit. I do not ink

that the defender needs to go to ground, there. Paul will be

disappointed not to get more out of the game. If you have a shot,

something can happen. Little bit of luck, there. Paul will be

disappointed, only coming out of the game with a 1-1 draw. They will take

it, but the chances they got in the second half... Leigh Griffiths will

not be going on loan to Hibs, it seems. Celtic do not want to do

that. Celtic say that Virgil Van Dijk will stay, despite the interest

in him. We will see what happens, the transfer window will close soon.

Can you see Celtic losing players are bringing them in during the

window? It is a huge club and Ronnie Deila has a hard job on his hands.

He's coming in with new ideas and wants own players. I think that they

will do well to hold onto Virgil Van Dijk. He's a top player. I think

some big English clubs will calling and, if a player wants to go, he

will go. But they obviously need to strengthen. Their squad is a bit

light at the moment. They are a top team and they will sign some

players. Derek Adams was punted by Ross County after a dismal start to

the season. The assignment for his old side was an away day at

highflying Hamilton. Kenny Crawford was there. He was gauging the mood

of the Ross County fans. In Dingwall this morning, Ross County fans

remembered that they had no manager and no points from four league

games, so who did they want as the new boss? I would be happy with

Patrick Kluivert. Terry Butcher. We have had to start from scratch again

this season. I think it was inevitable, really. Hamilton boss

Alex Neil makes four changes to the team that defeated Alloa Athletic.

Ross County caretaker boss steak than Ferguson makes three changes.

Good touch by Gordon. This is a chance for Ziggy Gordon. What a

touch that was from Doug Imrie. It gave Gordon the Charles. Good play

by the centre-half. Ashman the chance. Antoine Curia goes down

under a challenge. Play on says the referee, Willie Collum, no penalty.

Lucky escape their four Ross County. Doug Imrie, that was a good tackle

by the former Slovenian Under-19s internationalist. Out for a corner

kick. Redmond, with a corner kick. Canning with the header, a goal for

Hamilton. Martin Canning playing -- doing a captain's job. Not much room

for Mark Brown to collect, but 24 Martin Canning to open the scoring.

-- plenty, four Martin Canning. McKinnon with another chance, back

to Andreu, who goes down in the box, after the challenge by Quinn, and a

penalty, says referee, Willie Collum. Quinn stuck out a leg.

Antoine Curier sends Mark Brown the wrong way, and the home side now in

total control. Redmond plays the ball through. Doug Imrie is

challenged, he goes down and it is another penalty for Hamilton and

this time it is a red card shown by Willie Collum. The players clashed

on the edge of the box. It is a chance for Antoine-Curier. This

time, Mark Brown goes the right way, but the ball still ends up in the

back of the net. And it is Hamilton three, Ross County nil. Quinn.

Trying to get back into the game. That looks like a handball by Ziggy

Gordon. What is Willie Collum going to do? It is a yellow card for Ziggy

Gordon. He was possibly on his way down anyway but the ball certainly

struck him on the arm. Great save by McGovern. The ball eventually

cleared. It was a wonderful one-handed save. From Michael

McGovern, a former Ross County player and teammate of Richie

Brittain. Good save by Mark Brown. Lovely ball through by Doug Cymru.

This time, -- by Doug Imrie. This time, Mark Brown was able to save.

It goes through to Longridge. Through the legs of Mark Brown, off

the post and out for a corner. Martin Canning has been a rock at

the back for Hamilton. Lovely through ball again. Longridge,

lovely backheel, is this number for? It is, it is Jason Scotland. --

number four. An emphatic victory for Hamilton. And the problems pile up

for Ross County. We started well. The first half against Inverness was

the only time that we did not play as well as we should have done, and

I thought, today, we were excellent. It has been a very difficult week

for the club, obviously. And I think that week has taken its toll on

everybody. We were beaten by a good Hamilton side. That is four wins out

of five for Hamilton, fantastic start of the season, not just

winning but playing with style. They have got that feelgood factor

about them, they have got confidence. That little backheel,

there. I just think that they are on the crest of a wave. If they keep

winning games like this they are going to have a very good season.

This was a great run from Longridge. Skipping past one defender. The

defender does not know where he is. The reverse pass. It is just their

general movement without the ball. You have got three guys attacking,

they still want to score goals, even at 3-0 up. Ross County were not at

their best, they have got a lot of new players in. It will take some

time for them to gel together. Hamilton look so confident. They

have a confident mentality and they have got something to prove. Ross

County parting company with Derek Adams through the week and a global

superstar seem to be in line to take them over, Patrick Kluivert, he said

he had no interest in the job although Ross County said that he

had applied for it. And one bookmakers has suspended betting on

a Barry Robson being the next manager of Ross County. What can you

say about that? It is a great foot all club with great coaches and

managers. They have got a good team going forward. Thank you very much.

As bad a start to the season as it's been for Ross County, at least

Gary Warren failed a fitness test on a

Aaron Doran starts for the first time this season. Craig Slater

starts for the visitors. That means that McGuinness goes wide right. It

has not been a great first half, as that effort from Aaron Doran sales

over. That coming just after the 35 minute mark. Caley Thistle with

three wins and a draw to start the season, including beating Celtic

here last week. They are looking solid at the back. This is Graeme

Shinnie. That is a fine effort. Sampson had to claw it clear. In the

sixth minute of this match, Caley Thistle beat their clean sheet

record. They are trying to do some damage at the other end. A shout for

handball. John Beaton, the referee, is not interested in the claims.

Pascali in trouble. That was well work, by Mackay. Was he clipped, the

Cali this all fans certainly think so. -- Caley Thistle. Watkins. Back

their way to Aaron Doran. Good ball in. It is a good move. And again,

Craig Samson has to look lively as Raven went up there. Through it

comes for Aaron Doran. Brilliant, brilliant goal. That is superb from

Caley Thistle. Playing like a team that is oozing confidence. And a

real bit of quality to unlock a stuffy, not. --, look. --

Kilmarnock. Mackay, was blocked by his own man. They play on with Greg

Tanzi. What a strike, 2-0. That is wonderful. He has got a bit of

luck, because it came off the post and back off Samson. The strike

itself deserved a goal for the league leaders. I thought it was a

fantastic second half performance, a great first goal, and the second

goal, outstanding, from 30 yards. Got a bit of luck coming of the post

and then the goalkeeper, but you will take them. They showed the

quality they have shown since the start of the season. And pace was

what was missing from us today. John Hughes was the favourite for the

sack with some makers ahead of the start of the season. It just goes to

show that you cannot trust the bookmakers all the time. There had

been some talk that trying to change their style of play was not the

wisest thing to do. He has been there six months. With this passing

system, it allows the full-backs to play higher and get the freedom to

go and play. The movement is brilliant. It is a neat little pass

and a great run. It was a fantastic football goal. That is what of the

training ground. He encourages that type of football. -- that is work

from the training ground. He has been trying to get his message

across but this time he has had a preseason. They have been really

strong and they have managed to keep the nucleus of the squad from last

season. So all credit to John. Bad day at the office for Kilmarnock?

They had a bit of energy in the team, and a big thing for them is

getting Eremenko back. They look stronger than last year, and that

plastic pitch will help them as well.

Aberdeen were up against Partick Thistle with those expected and if

last season is anything to go by. Niall McGinn. 2-0, Aberdeen.

Excellent strike. Pick that out of the net. Taylor, Nicky Low and David

Goodwillie go into the Aberdeen starting lineup. Dropping out,

Russell Anderson, Willo Flood and Adam Rooney. J Carroll arrives on

loan from Huddersfield for Partick Thistle. Leading the attack is

skipper, Ryan Stevenson. Knocked off the line by Carol, and it was Niall

McGinn with an angled opportunity. Ryan Jack with a first effort, which

was miscued. Good touch from David Goodwillie. Trying the shot from

distance. It seemed to take Paul Gallagher by surprise, this. Nicky

Low trying to up the tempo for the home team. Johnny Hayes coming in

off the left side. That is a great run from him. The clearance went

straight to Niall McGinn, and the new boy got away with it, because

Niall McGinn was not able to punish the clearance from the full-back

from the delivery from Johnny Hayes, it went straight to Niall McGinn.

Nicky Lowe lining up the shot and the opening goal. Two minutes after

the restart, it is a spectacular strike from Nicky Low. Curling and

dipping away from Gallagher and into the corner for 1-0. It is a great

finish. Battling for possession, and now Jack. Ryan Jack with the cross.

Shaleum Logan had to score, and he knows it, the full-back. It is a

great run into the box and somehow, he contrived to put that white.

Partick Thistle searching for a leveller. -- put that wide. Jamie

Langfield, who has had little to do, gets across well for this shot.

Niall McGinn with a corner kick. And it is returned by Peter Pawlett to

Niall McGinn. On his left foot. And he curls it in, Aberdeen's second

goal. Niall McGinn. On his left foot. And

he curls it in, It is a wonderful strike from Niall McGinn. Straight

over the top of Paul Gallen. -- Gallagher. He stuck up a despairing

hand, and unable to keep it up, 2-0. Barry Robson lining up a freekick.

That was some hit. And it was matched by a superb save by

Gallagher. Two goals like up the game, from Nicky Lowe, and Niall

McGinn's strike was even better. Lots of strong performances today.

It was good to get three points against a good team. The boys did

not put enough pressure on the ball. Niall McGinn and Nicky Lowe

can strike the ball from distance and we let them do that. Barry, you

have scored some belters in your time, who scored the best of those

two goals? I will give it to Nicky Lowe. He works hard, every day. That

is a terrific goal. I am so pleased for him yesterday. He works so hard.

I know that Niall McGinn's goal was a terrific finish but it was a

little bit in the middle of the goals. I don't know if Paul Gallen

care is watching this, but it is still a great -- Paul Gallen care is

watching this. Well, speaking of that goal, let's

have a look at it. How many yards out was this? 40, was it? It seems

to get further out every time you talk about it. We'll Johnny Hayes

beel right? He was just wanting a little cuddle yesterday, he will be

fine. This was an unbelievable strike. Yes, unbelievable. And that

was a terrific save from Gallagher. I am just trying to be honest with

him. I think that Derek is trying to let him down gently. It is a good

squad. You have got Nicky Lowe coming in, we have some good talent

out there and some good kids coming through. It was such a big season

last season for Aberdeen. Does that make them more of a scalp this

season? Aberdeen always has been like that because they are big

football club. You have the man is on Aberdeen, you might be getting

15,000 of crowd, and the crowd can start rumbling when start passing

the ball back. You need a certain mentality. This season we will try

to finish as high as we can in the league. We are desperate to bring a

cup back up the road again because seeing 100,000 people on union

Street was incredible. It is a moment that every single one of our

players wants to go through. Actually, Aberdeen, they are

probably the second biggest team in the league now. It is one of those

games as a player you love to play in. That proper bee makes it harder

for Aberdeen. They had a great season last year.

As bad a start to the season as it's been for Ross County, at least

Not the case for St Mirren, who'd failed to find the net in

Dundee United the visitors in Paisley.

COMMENTATOR: Two changes for Saint Mirren.

One change for Dundee United, Chris Erskine is preferred. The cross feel

pass, -- the crossfield pass, Gary

Mackay-Steven is there. That is the skill you associate with him.

Dropping out of the air and he took it first time. The Saints looking

for their first league point and their first league goal as well.

That is a good header, forcing the save. McGinn has not scored since

February. That one touched over the top. There is danger here for Dundee

United. Drury. Maclean is available. Watson puts it behind. It just took

a little nick. What a start to the second half that would have been.

Corner. Having fashioned the chance, he now fashions the corner across,

Kenny Maclean. It breaks to Jason Naismith. He is away from Erskine

and tries the shot. Well worth the effort from Jason Naismith. Up from

the back for his height, but he is good on the deck as well. Erskine is

through, chance for Dundee United! 1-0 Dundee United. Taken beautifully

from Chris Erskine. It is his third of the season and Dundee United are

clinical in taking their chance at the start of the second half. He

curled it past Marian Kello. Dundee United go ahead. It is Gary

Mackay-Steven. The goalkeeper has come for it and he doesn't get it.

He simply barrelled his way in front of the goalkeeper. That was a simple

header in the end, the net was unguarded, and Dundee United 2-0

ahead. Inside it comes. Dundee United causing problems. That is a

lovely ball across, back to Paul Payton. Lovely save from Marian

Kello. Blair Spittal! Some boos coming from the Saint Mirren fans. A

long ball forward. Spittal, That is a great first touch, and an even

better second such! Real Roy of the Rovers stuff. How about that for

control to set yourself up and ping that in the top corner. We can play

a lot better. I think the scoreline flattered us. Delighted with the

three points. I think we are playing well enough to win some games. It is

just a case of when are we going to start scoring some goals. Four wins

out of five now for Dundee United. In terms of Saint Mirren, there was

a brief period which seemed to sum them up when they had chances and

did not take them. It is a big worry for some Mirren, not scoring goals.

As we touched on earlier, big Stephen Thomson is missing, and he

is the key for them. He can hold the ball up. That is what I think will

help some Mirren, once he comes back. -- help St Mirren. I think all

three goals properly could have been stopped. Even Jackie said it, they

did not play that well, the scoreline flattered them. When their

confidence comes back, hopefully they will get the goals. They have

some good players in the team. We heard the views at the end of the

match. It is very early days but is there pressure on Tommy Craig? I

think there is always pressure. The fans expect, they want results. Four

or five games in as well. He's a big player missing for them as well. But

I think they will come all right. Callum's St Johnstone rounding

off the show this weekend. The Saints looking to follow up

their win last weekend against Aberdeen with another three

points, this weekend against a Motherwell side struggling

for any sort of form. On loan Derby defender Mark O Brien

makes his Debian. He is one of four changes. Saint Johnstone field the

same team that won last week. -- he makes his debut. Mackay winning the

header. He is in there again. Neat football from Saint Johnstone. Here

is Gary McDonald. Witherspoon. Great chance for Witherspoon at the back

post. The defender did well to make the block. Neat football again from

Tommy Wright's men. Here is Witherspoon. He thought about the

shot. Here is Miller. Follow up again from Saint Johnstone, but

Witherspoon could not find his intended target. It was Chris Miller

with the original effort. Eastern. Scott Brown. Just needed a bit of

angle in the shot. Motherwell, three straight defeats. Looking for a

change in form. In the direction of John Sutton. John Sutton really

needed a better finish there. No real power there to test Alan

Manus. Ainsworth's corner, Sutton! A good blog on the line there by

Manus. -- a good block. Josh Law. Picked up by Anderson. He

has a ready got two goals this season, both in Europe. Trying to

get his first in the league. Given away by Motherwell.

Almost caught out there at the front post. The goalkeeper was scampering.

Here is Miller. He has support arriving. It is Mackay. McDonald!

Straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Miller, looking for his

captain. Mackay. Now McDonald. There is Brian Graham! What an impact that

is from the substitute. The new on loan signing from Dundee United,

only on the part 11 minutes and he has got his first St Johnstone

goal. He got across the defender, and St Johnstone are 1-0 up. I think

it was a struggle. A team lacking in confidence, you could see that.

Second-half performance we didn't deserve to lose the game, but that

is the way it is going for us at the moment. We had opportunities but our

crossing was in great today until the cross for the winner. I think

overall we just shaded it. A great three points for your side

yesterday. We have picked out Gary McDonald's performance for special

mention. How good was he? He makes so many runs forward. He is always

the one getting in the box. He will always get there. He probably hopes

he can do a bit better. Again, he is always there. Fantastic ball. He has

just followed it in. Aggressive, that is what you want your striker

to do in the box. A great performance. A great start from

Brian Graham as well. We were talking about Aberdeen last season,

big season for them, big season as well last season for St Johnstone.

Winning the Scottish cup and finishing in the top six. How can

you improve on last season, especially now you are without

Stevie May? It is a tough one. I think that has gone. It was a great

day, great occasion, but that has gone, the Scottish cup. You set new

goals. That is it, you have to set new goals and new targets. Does you

can't live off the past. It is the new season. They will be looking for

a good season. Stay in the league first and foremost, that is what we

always start with, and then take it from there. What do you expect from

Saint Johnstone this season? You have got to work accordingly, change

things tactically. Maclean upfront does a good job for them. Played

well. I liked him, I was impressed with their squad. They have always

got a good unity to their squad, they are always working for each

other. All hands to the pun. I like them, as a side. Major objective

force on Johnstone this season? A good top run again. -- major

objective for St Johnstone. They will definitely be in the top six

for me this year. Time now for a look at the premiership table this

evening. Inverness Caledonian Thistle proudly on top, with 13

points. Zero goals conceded. It has been a quite remarkable start of the

season for them. The same goes for Hamilton academical, one point

behind, alongside Dundee United. Celtic are six points off the pace

at the moment. At the bottom it has been dismal for Ross County and St

Mirren. But of course it is early days.

The international break next weekend.

Scotland head off to Germany to give the world

We're back in two weeks' time, see you then.

But for now from all of us here, goodnight!