Nick Roe sums up all the action in this weekend's SPL matches.Celtic 1-1 Dundee United
Sean Dillon’s last gasp headed goal ensured that Dundee United grabbed the weekend headlines north of the border. Gary Hooper’s 23rd minute goal, his 11th of the season so far, wasn’t enough to win the game and the green side of Glasgow slip 3 points behind bitter rivals Rangers. Celtic’s season started impressively, domestically at least, with Neil Lennon’s men continuing their fine SPL run of form stretching back to the end of last season. This result, however, comes at a bad time for the Hoops. Everyone from their star striker to the chairman has been claiming they are the victim of a refereeing conspiracy that has engulfed Scottish football. Lennon’s outbursts have, of late, landed him in hot water with the SFA. It remains to been seen if his new look Parkhead outfit has the mental strength to become a winning side.
Full credit must also go to Peter Houston’s Tangerines, an up and down season has left them some distance from 3rd spot and with the chairman claiming he must slash their wage bill it looks as if there are lean times ahead for the Scottish cup holders.
Kilmarnock 2-3 Rangers
The game of the weekend by some way saw Mixu Paatelainen’s Kilmarnock side go ahead through the in-form Connor Sammon’s close range finish. Kenny Miller, the league’s top scorer then scored a brace of penalties either side of the break with the second also seeing Killie’s Mohamadou Sissoko sent for an early bath. The 10 men kept pushing, to their credit, and were rewarded with an unlikely equaliser from that man again, Connor Sammon. It was to be Rangers’ day however...
as Miller completed his hat trick from 6 yards after good work from Steven Whittaker. Mixu’s men show flair and desire that has been sadly missing from Rugby Park in recent years and they deserve all of the considerable praise being heaped upon them. To no avail, Rangers move 3 point clear at the top of the table.The game of the weekend by some way saw Mixu Paatelainen’s Kilmarnock side go ahead through the in-form Connor Sammon’s close range finish. Kenny Miller, the league’s top scorer then scored a brace of penalties either side of the break with the second also seeing Killie’s Mohamadou Sissoko sent for an early bath. The 10 men kept pushing, to their credit, and were rewarded with an unlikely equaliser from that man again, Connor Sammon. It was to be Rangers’ day however...
Aberdeen 0-1 St Johnstone
An own goal from Zander Diamond saw Aberdeen’s horrendous run of form drag on. Embattled boss Mark McGhee has to find some answers soon or faces a sacking some fans think is long overdue. The saints will count themselves a little lucky, they were playing against 10 men for most of the second half after referee Willie Collum sent off Aberdeen’s Rory McArdle; a decision that irked the Pittodrie boss. Add that to a number of decent chances missed by Sone Aluko and Derek McInnes’s side will feel they somewhat robbed the dons.
An own goal from Zander Diamond saw Aberdeen’s horrendous run of form drag on. Embattled boss Mark McGhee has to find some answers soon or faces a sacking some fans think is long overdue. The saints will count themselves a little lucky, they were playing against 10 men for most of the second half after referee Willie Collum sent off Aberdeen’s Rory McArdle; a decision that irked the Pittodrie boss. Add that to a number of decent chances missed by Sone Aluko and Derek McInnes’s side will feel they somewhat robbed the dons.
Hearts 2-0 Hamilton
Accies simply cannot buy a result at the moment as a turgid game saw Jim Jeffries men get the result they wanted at Tynecastle. Rudi Skacel is enjoying his second spell with the Jambos and his 32nd minute dipping volley brought back memories of 2005 when Hearts went on to finished 2nd. Young David Templeton continues to show promise and he added a second with a long range strike. Hamilton were awarded a penalty courtesy of a Palazuelos tackle on Flavio Paixao but Simon Mensing’s blasted spotkick was saved by Hearts keeper Kello. Billy Reid must surely be wondering why he turned down the opportunity to manage Swansea, currently 3rd in the Championship, in the summer.
Accies simply cannot buy a result at the moment as a turgid game saw Jim Jeffries men get the result they wanted at Tynecastle. Rudi Skacel is enjoying his second spell with the Jambos and his 32nd minute dipping volley brought back memories of 2005 when Hearts went on to finished 2nd. Young David Templeton continues to show promise and he added a second with a long range strike. Hamilton were awarded a penalty courtesy of a Palazuelos tackle on Flavio Paixao but Simon Mensing’s blasted spotkick was saved by Hearts keeper Kello. Billy Reid must surely be wondering why he turned down the opportunity to manage Swansea, currently 3rd in the Championship, in the summer.
Inverness CT 4-2 Hibernian
Hibs fans left Inverness of Saturday night with their usual points haul from the highlands. A run of awful results against Callie stretches back longer than the A9. Callie themselves have endured some bafflingly poor home performances this season and find themselves in a lofty 4th place due to having the best away form outside the Old Firm. It wasn’t set up for a classic but the 6 goal thriller the fans were treated to is classic of erratic Hibs this season. Colin Calderwood’s men were better after Paul Hanlon (a second half substitute) was sent off after handling on the line. At 2-0 down after goals from Foran and Adam Rooney, Derek Riordan got his 6th of the season before more poor defending let Rooney in for his 2nd and Callie’s 3rd. Liam Miller then scored a penalty for the Leith outfit before Rooney put the game beyond them by completing his hat trick. Positives to take from both sides but especially for Terry Butcher’s side, who can, perhaps, claim to have the best goals scoring Rooney in the world this season (Adam Rooney 13, Wayne 1).
Hibs fans left Inverness of Saturday night with their usual points haul from the highlands. A run of awful results against Callie stretches back longer than the A9. Callie themselves have endured some bafflingly poor home performances this season and find themselves in a lofty 4th place due to having the best away form outside the Old Firm. It wasn’t set up for a classic but the 6 goal thriller the fans were treated to is classic of erratic Hibs this season. Colin Calderwood’s men were better after Paul Hanlon (a second half substitute) was sent off after handling on the line. At 2-0 down after goals from Foran and Adam Rooney, Derek Riordan got his 6th of the season before more poor defending let Rooney in for his 2nd and Callie’s 3rd. Liam Miller then scored a penalty for the Leith outfit before Rooney put the game beyond them by completing his hat trick. Positives to take from both sides but especially for Terry Butcher’s side, who can, perhaps, claim to have the best goals scoring Rooney in the world this season (Adam Rooney 13, Wayne 1).
St Mirran 1-1 Motherwell
Danny Lennon’s saints were robbed by Celtic last week by a last minute goal from Gary Hooper and they reacted well by showing plenty of metal against the steelmen in Paisley. Saints took the lead through Gareth Wardlaw’s header and coped well with Motherwell’s more ambitious play until the 74th minute. Motherwell’s Nick Blackman, on loan from Blackburn, is making a name for himself under the veteran manager Craig Brown and he did himself no disservice by grabbing an important goal to level this match. Craig Brown will perhaps have wanted more from this match but St Mirran were worthy of a point.
Danny Lennon’s saints were robbed by Celtic last week by a last minute goal from Gary Hooper and they reacted well by showing plenty of metal against the steelmen in Paisley. Saints took the lead through Gareth Wardlaw’s header and coped well with Motherwell’s more ambitious play until the 74th minute. Motherwell’s Nick Blackman, on loan from Blackburn, is making a name for himself under the veteran manager Craig Brown and he did himself no disservice by grabbing an important goal to level this match. Craig Brown will perhaps have wanted more from this match but St Mirran were worthy of a point.
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