Football News

Saturday 6th March

Todays Results

SPL

Hamilton 1 Aberdeen 1

Hibernian 1 Kilmarnock 0

Rangers 3 St Mirren 1

St Johnstone 1 Motherwell 2

SFL Division 1

Ayr 2 Morton 0

Dundee 2 Inverness CT 2

Dunfermline 2 Airdrie 0

Queen of the South 1 Partick Th 0

Ross County 1 Raith Rovers 0

SFL Division 2

Alloa 2 Clyde 2

Arbroath 1 Stenhousemuir 1

Cowdenbeath 6 East Fife 2

Dumbarton 0 Brechin 1

Peterhead 1 Strirling 1

SFL Division 3

Annan 3 Elgin 3

East Stirling 4 Forfar 0

Queens Park 2 Berwick 3

Stranraer 0 Montrose 2

Thursday 4th March

Levein Off To A Flyer

New Scotland manager Craig Levein's era got off to a good start last night at Hampden with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic. Celtic's Scott Brown scored the only goal of the game on 62 minutes. Kris Boyd received a rousing reception from the Tartan Army when he replaced Rangers team mate Kenny Miller to complete his return from self imposed exile. Levein said after the game that he was more nervous than the players and praised his squad as very easy to work with. 

Broke Dons

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has said that Aberdeen will have no money to spend in the summer despite selling Lee Miller to Middlesborough, he stated there is nothing there for strengthening the squad so we will have to get through it somehow.

Wednesday 3rd March

Levein : "Dont Boo Brave Boyd"

Scotland manager has asked tonights crowd at Hampden not to boo returning Kris Boyd. " I am not naive enough to think that he will be welcomed back by everybody, but I ask that everybody gets the crowds support as we go in to a new era". The plea was reinforced by Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher who said "If you boo one player you boo us all" it remains to be seen if their requests will be heeded.

The team for tonights game is expected to be : Gordon, Hutton, Wallace, Webster, Gary Caldwell, Robson, Brown, Fletcher, Thomson, Dorrans, Miller.

Graham Dorrans has this morning replaced James McFadden who failed a fitness test.

Missed Opportunity For u21's

Last night saw Scotland u21's slip up in their European Championship Group 10 qualifier against Azerbaijan at Falkirk. The visitors who fielded a side that included several members of the full international squad took the lead on 14 minutes when Leeds United reserve keeper Alan Martin allowed a long range effort from Hajiyev bounce over him. Scotland took a while to recover but on 32 minutes their task was helped thanks to a complete abhoration by central defender Tural Akhundov who not only punched the ball under a challenge from David Goodwillie but then pulled the Dundee United man down for good measure, Norwegian referee Ken Henry Johnsen had no hesitation in ordering Akhundov from the field. Chris Maguire slammed home the spot kick to equalise. The second half was much the same as the first with the visitors soaking up pressure but looking extreemly dangerous on the break and on 64 Martin was once again culpable as another long range effort, this time from wide on the left and the boot of Abdullayev found its way beyond the Leeds man and in to the net. This once again spurred Scotland in to action and Leigh Griffiths on for Goodwillie rose at the far post to head a Maguire cross home. Scotland were unlucky not to score a third as chances for Griffiths, McGinn and Maguire went begging before McGinn had a goal dissallowed for offside. After the game u21 boss Billy Stark was dissapointed that his side couldn't repeat the thrashing given in the away game however, he was pleased that his side sat on top of the group with games away to Belarus and at home to Austria left.

Tuesday 2nd March

Tonights Results

Euro u21 Championships Group 10

Scotland 2 Azerbaijan 2 at Falkirk FC

SFL Division 1

Ayr P Airdrie P

Dunfermline P Raith P

Queen of The South P Ross County P

SFL Division 2

Clyde P Alloa P

Cowdenbeath P Arbroath P

East Fife P Brechin P

Peterhead 2 Dumbarton 1

Stirling 1 Stenhousemuir 1

SFL Division 3

Annan 1 Forfar 1

Berwick P Livingston P

E Stirling 0 Queens Park 3

Montrose 0 Albion 0

Pars Take On Rovers

Tonight see's the Fife Derby at East End Park as Dunfermline take on Raith Rovers, Pars new boy Gary Mason is looking forward to the game " Raith are doing well so we are looking forward to a good game" Raith hitman Iain Williamson returns to his former club but feels he has nothing to prove " Its not the first time I have been back so the novelty has worn off a bit now. A win for John McGlynn's Raith would put them just four points behind their rivals with three games in hand. Your website reporter will be at tonights game so see the website tommorow for a full report on the Fife Derby

Youngsters Ready For Azer

Scotlands u21's take on Azerbaijan tonight at Falkirk Stadium, and defender Tam Scobbie who plies his trade at Falkirk feels the new boys added to the squad will supplement a settled group. There was a late call last night for Rangers defender Danny Wilson for Murray Davidson of St Johnstone who has a groin injury. The Scots have a chance to go top of their group and put pressure on favourites Austria.

Monday 1st March

Rangers Increase Their Lead

Rangers increased their lead at the top with a 1-0 victory over Celtic at Parkhead, the goal came in the last minute of injury time from Maurice Edu on for the injured Lee McCulloch. Scott Brown had earlier seen red for a "headbutt" on Kyle Lafferty.

Sunday 28th February

Todays Result

SPL

Rangers 1 Celtic 0

SPL Round Up

The pressure mounts just a little bit more for Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee after yesterdays defeat at the hands of Hearts. Eggert Jonssons goal on 64 minutes saw Aberdeen slip to yet another defeat, Hearts midfielder Laryeas Kingston saw red on 52 minutes just 9 minutes after he replaced Kucharski for a reckless challenge on youngster Fraser Fyvie. Dundee United were back on the winning track after an impressive 3-0 victory over Falkirk at Tannadice. David Goodwillie got the first on 18 from the penalty spot before two goals from Gomis saw the Arabs home. Hibernian and St Johnstone shared the points at Easter Road with both goals coming from the spot. Hibs took the lead through Anthony Stokes after Graeme Smith tripped Colin Nish, but Liam Craig equalised on 85 when a Davidson flick was handled by Liam Miller. On the mudbath that is Fir park Motherwell buldozered their way across the surface to take the points with a Jamie Murphy goal. Finally St Mirren and Hamilton drew 0-0 at New St Mirren Park, the game was marred by serious violence following the game leading to many arrests.

SFL Round Up

Only three games survived the weather in Division 1, Partick thistle dented Ross County's promotion hopes with a 2-1 victory thanks to a Buchanen and Hodge salvo, Andy Barrowman pulled a goal back for the Stags. Dunfermline maintained their challenge to the top two with a 2-1 win at Morton, Gary Mason netted the late winner for the Pars after Morton had taken the lead through Ryan McGuffie before Andy Kirk equalised. Inverness CT and Ayr shared 6 goals at Caledonian Stadium, Aitken and Roberts gave the visitors a 2-0 lead before Richie Foran pulled a goal back on half time, Hayes equalised on 61 for Thistle before McManus put Ayr back in front, but Adam Rooney broke the Ayrshire hearts with a 93rd minute equaliser. In Division 2 Alloa went 8 points clear at the top after they defeated Peterhead 2-1 with Stirling's trip to Clyde postponed. Arbroath also took advantage of Clyde not having a game as they defeated Dumbarton 3-1, In the other game Stenhousemuir and East Fife drew 1-1. Only one game survived in Division 2 and Annan took all three points with a 1-0 victory over East Stirling.

Saturday 27th February

Todays Results

SPL

Aberdeen 0 Hearts 1

Dundee United 3 Falkirk 0

Hibernian 1 St Johnstone 1

Motherwell 1 Kilmarnock 0

St Mirren 0 Hamilton 0

SFL Division 1

Airdrie P Queen Of The South P

Inverness 3 Ayr 3

Morton 1 Dunfermline 2

Partick 2 Ross County 1

Raith P Dundee P

SFL Division 2

Alloa 2 Peterhead 1

Arbroath 3 Dumbarton 1

Stenhousemuir 1 East Fife 1

SFL Division 3

Annan 1 East Stirling 0

Tuesday 23rd February

McKenzie To Head South

Dundee central defender Gary McKenzie has signed a pre contract agreement with English League 1 side MK Dons and will join the Buckinghamshire club in the summer.

Raith Sign Two

Raith Rovers have completed the signing on short term contracts of Thierry Gathuessi and Dene Shields, Gathuessi was on loan at Starks Park earlier in the season and Shields was a free agent.

Frosty Atmosphere

St Johnstone continue to try and find an answer for the frozen pitch that led to the late postponement of Surdays game against Rangers. The Perth club have reportedly suspended groundsman Chris Smith and called in the company responsible for maintenance of the 13 year old system to carry out a thorough examination. The plot however continues to thicken as SFA match delegate Alan Dick who was at McDiarmid Park at 9am thought the pitch would be fine by 12.45 and on his advice Saints decided against an earlier inspection by referee Mike Tumilty. Watch this space.

Monday 22nd February

Levein Announces Squad

Craig Levein has announced his first Scotland squad for next weeks international against the Czech Republic at Hampden.

Goalkeepers

Neil Alexander, Craig Gordon, David Marshall

Defenders

Alan Hutton, Christope Berra, Gary Caldwell, Paul Dixon, Gary Kenneth

Lee Wallace, Andy Webster, Steven Whittaker

Midfielders

Charlie Adam, Scott Brown, Graham Dorrans, Darren Fletcher, Paul Hartley

Lee McCulloch, James McFadden, Barry Robson, Kevin Thomson

Forwards

Kris Boyd, Steven Fletcher, Chris Iwelumo, Kenny Miller

Sunday 21st February

Todays Fixture

SPL

Hearts 2 Hamilton 0

Saturday 20th February

Todays Results

SPL

Celtic 1 Dundee United 0

Falkirk 3 Aberdeen 1

Kilmarnock 1 St Mirren 1

Motherwell 1 Hibernian 0

St Johnstone P Rangers P

SFL Div 1

Airdrie P Raith P

Dundee 1 Partick 0

Dunfermline 0 Ayr 1

Inverness P Queens Park P

SFL Div 2

Cowdenbeath P Alloa P

Peterhead P Stenhousemuir P

Stirling P Brechin P

SFL Div 3

Berwick 0 Annan 2

E Stirling 0 Livingston 2

Montrose 0 Elgin 4

Queens Park 1 Forfar 2

Stranraer P Albion Rovers P

Thursday 18th February

Five Star Saints

St Johnstone destroyed Hibernian last night at McDiarmid Park 5-1, in a performance that had manager Derek McInnes purring at the post match press conference, " We never let them get their heads up and get into their passing game and enjoy themselves thats why we won". Hibs boss John Hughes took the blame himself as he admitted he had picked the wrong team " I will take a look at myself and what I did wrong, it is my biggest dissapointment since being at the club, we were battered out there".

With only 5 minutes on the clock the Saints fans were in fine voice as an excellent move saw Cillian Sheridan cushion the ball with his chest in to the path of Liam Craig who drove his effort home from 20 yard out.  The home side then extended their lead on 10 minutes when Craig found Davidson and his cross was flicked in to the net by the soaring Sheridan. Hibs had got no answer to the incisive runs of McDonald and Sheridan and Hibs were more than lucky not to be 6 or 7 behind at half time, St Johnstone were that good.

The second half carried on in exactly the same fashion, however, Hibs did manage their first effort on goal on 51 minutes when a Riordan effort went high and wide, cue much abuse from his own supporters. On 57 Hibs made a double switch with Nish and Wotherspoon replace Benjelloun and Zemmama, but they made little difference as on 62 Saints went 3-0 in front through Kenny Deuchar when he converted another cross from Sheridan. Hibs scored what proved to be nothing more than concellation when Stokes rounded keeper Smith before putting the ball in to an open net. Colin Nish did himself no favours on 70 when he aimed a kick at the imperious Duberry and was quite rightly ordered off. Saints wasted no time in forcing home the advantage as they went further ahead as Deuchar made his way into the area the ball broke to my man of the match Sheridan who made it 4. It was only a matter of time and Craig got his second from the penalty spot after handball by Bamba, although Smith did manage to get to the kick however wa spowerless as it looped in to the net. The night ended on a sour note for Saints however when Kenny Duechar was carried off with an ankle injury which looks like ruling him out of Saturdays game against Rangers.

Rangers Through

Rangers made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup after their 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox last night. Kris Boyd netted the winner on 86 minutes after St Mirren had resisted everything Walter Smith's side had thrown at them, St Mirren however created very little themselves.

Wednesday 17th February

Tonights Results

Scottish Cup Round 5 Replay

Rangers 1 St Mirren 0

SPL

St Johnstone 5 Hibs 1

SFL Division 3

Annan 1 Albion 2

Forfar Leave It Late

Forfar kept their supporters waiting last night until the 89th minute to score the winner against Elgin at Station Road. Ian Harty missed a second half penalty but made amends by netting the 89th minute winner. The game ended with two players being ordered off. Neil McDonald hacked Ian Tulloch down and Tulloch then retaliated the referee was left with little option.

 Stirling Go Second

Stirling Albion travelled to Dumbarton last night and gained all three points that took them second place behind neighbours Alloa. Allan Moore's side won the game 4-2

Rovers Dump Dons

Congratulations this morning goes to John McGlynn's Raith Rovers after their triumph at Pittodrie in last nights Scottish Cup replay. Rovers travelled North confident that they could defeat their SPL opponents but many pundits gave them little chance especially following their poor result at the weekend at home to Inverness. Our own roving reporter in the North East was at the game and tells me that Aberdeen were well on top during the first half restricting Rovers to just one effort that came back off the woodwork. The second half was a different matter, Rovers came out with renewed belief and after Gregory Tade had put the Kirkcaldy men in front there was only ever going to be one winner as Aberdeen rapidly ran out of ideas. The home side and manager were booed off the field at the end of play and Mark McGhee was the target of more abuse as he headed down the tunnel. In an exclusive interview with Raith boss McGlynn, he told me that "he was delighted with his team and that was the joy of cup football, just one goal is all it needs". The squads thoughts were with defender Mark Campbell who was involved in a car accident on Monday near his Kilmarnock home. Campbell had to be cut free from his vehicle and receved serious cuts and bruises although doctors dont think their will be any lasting damage. Campbell remains in hospital at the moment.

Tuesday 16th February

Its Official, Referees Are Poor

Finally, SFA Refereeing tsar, Hugh Dallas has admitted something that we have all known for ages, Scottish referees are poor. In an interview yesterday, Dallas admitted that "he has overseen a poor season of refereeing decisions". Dallas hosted a meeting of 11 of the 12 SPL bosses at Hampden last Friday and said that the meeting had been "extremely fruitful". Rather strangely he insisted he was all in favour of communication between his department and managers, I am sure Jim Gannon thinks that too.

Tonights Results

Scottish Cup Rnd 5 Replay

Aberdeen 0 Raith Rovers 1

Division 1

Queen of the South 3 Ayr 0

Division 2

Dumbarton 2 Stirling 4

Division 3

Forfar 1 Elgin 0

Raith Confident Of Upset

Raith Rovers go in to tonights Scottish Cup replay against Aberdeen at Pittodrie full of confidence despite Saturdays 4-0 home defeat. Defender Mark Campbell believes that a upset is still on and Rovers have to take their confidence out on to the pitch. The Kirkcaldy men have nothing to lose as few people give them much chance against the SPL club, however, this is cup football and anything can happen.

Elbow Row Continues

The incident involving Kris Boyd and Merouane Zemmama at Ibrox on Sunday continues to rumble on. In todays Sun, Boyd tells Zemmama to stop moaning and behave like a man, the response comes after the Hibs man slammed the Rangers player for deliberately elbowing him.

Monday 15th February

Contentious Decisions Mar Rangers Win

Two contentious refereeing decisions marred Rangers 3-0 victory over Hibernian at Ibrox yesterday. Kris Boyd received a yellow card when his elbow collided with Merouane Zemmama's face accidentally and then Kenny Miller seemed to go down very easily under a challenge in the penalty area. In the game itself Rangers goals came from Steven Whittaker, Boyd (pen), and Miller. 

Sunday 14th February

Rangers Face Hibs

Todays SPL encounter sees Rangers host Hibernian, Rangers boss Walter Smith has a full squad to choose from after weeks of injury problems. John Hughes also has no injury worries but may still make changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Aberdeen in midweek.

SPL Round Up

Yesterday produced two games that would be in the running for Game of The Decade, the lunchtime kick off at Pittodrie, where Aberdeen hosted Celtic was witnessed by our own Man In The North and he tells me it was one of the best games he has ever seen and the Aberdeen fans felt like they had won all three points rather than just one. Celtic took the lead after just two minutes when Diomansy Kamara netted after Jamie Langfield had got down briliantly to block a Robbie Keane effort. The lead lasted just seven minutes when poor defending by Celtic saw Braafheid's weak header only reach Michael Paton on the edge of the area, and as the static Celtic rearguard took root Paton powered his effort beyond Boruc. The visitors were back in front on 36 through Fortune when he converted a Keane cross. However, the Celtic back four were doing a stunning impression of Aberdeen granite as they let a Patterson cross weave its way through to Darren Mackie in acres of space who buried his effort beyond Boruc. Keane got his name on the scoresheet after 65 when he nodded a Paul Caddis cross past Langfield, then on 72 McGeady curved an effort in to Langfields far corner. Game Over, not from the Dons point of view as it became the Stephen McLean show as he firstly converted a penalty after the hapless Braafheid's handball and then on 88 he flicked on a Mackie cross beyond the stranded Boruc. Celtic could still have won it but Braafheids effort game back off the bar. Celtics O'Dea saw red in injury time for flattening Gary McDonald. Game of the season maybe but Killie and St Johnstone served up an equally exciting game at Rugby Park where Kevin Kyle completed his side comeback from 2-1 behind with a 77th minute winner. In another 3-2 game Hearts defeated Falkirk at Tynecastle, Ian Black scoring the Jambo's winner. Motherwell's loan keeper John Ruddy was man of the match as the Lanarkshire derby ended goalless. In the final game Dundee United came back from behind as they defeated St Mirren. The home side to the lead through Higdon on 66 but United netted twice in the last 7 minutes through Danny Swanson and David Goodwillie.

Saturday 13th February

Todays Results

Scottish Premier League

Aberdeen 4 Celtic 4

Hamilton 0 Motherwell 0

Hearts 3 Falkirk 2

Kilmarnock 3 St Johnstone 2

St Mirren 1 Dundee United 2

Scottish Division One

Ayr P Dundee P

Partick 2 Airdrie 0

Queen Of The South 1 Morton 2

Raith 0 Inverness 4

Ross Co 2 Dunfermline 2

Scottish Division Two

Alloa 2 East Fife 0

Arbroath 2 Clyde 0

Dumbarton P Stirling P

Peterhead 0 Brechin 3

Stenhousemuir 0 Cowdenbeath 0

Scottish Division Three

Albion P E. Stirling P

Berwick 0 Forfar 4

Livingston 3 Annan 2

Montrose 1 Queens Park 2

Beaks Strike Again

It appears that those within the ivory towers have once again shot themselves in the foot. Dunfermline had hoped to rearrange their much postponed derby game against Raith for 23rd February but were told by the SFA that it wouldn't be possible as they had arranged a referee training course for that week. 

Driver Banned

Just a week after Andrew Driver declared himself available for Scotland he has been told he isn't elegible to join Craig Leveins revolution. Driver needed to have been educated in Scotland for 5 years but unfortunately falls two months short.

Friday 12th February

McGhee "Raith More Important Than Celtic"

Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee has said that he see's next weeks replay against Raith Rovers as more important than tomorrows league game at home to Celtic. He feels that Wednesday nights draw against Hibs virtually ended the Dons chances of 3rd place but that 4th place is theirs for the taking so his attentions will be on the cup. It is thought McGhee may pick an understrength side for the Celtic game saving his "big" players for Raith.

Elvis Spotted In Falkirk

Steven Pressley has been appointed as manager at Falkirk following yesterdays resignation of Eddie May.

Thursday 11th February

End Of May at Falkirk

Eddie May has today resigned as manager of Falkirk, the decision comes after Falkirk suffered defeat at home to Kilmarnock.

Scottish Cup Draw

Dundee v Raith Rover or Aberdeen

Hibernian v Ross County

Kilmarnock v Celtic

St Mirren or Rangers v Dundee United

Last Nights Results

Wednesday 10th February

Tonights Fixtures

Scottish Premier League

Celtic v Hearts

Dundee United v Hamilton

Falkirk v Kilmarnock

Hibernian v Aberdeen

Motherwell v Rangers

St Mirren v St Johnstone

Division 1

Ayr v Partick

Division 3

East Stirling v Elgin

McGlynn Backs SPL Change

Raith Rovers boss John McGlynn has said that it is time for the number of teams in the SPL to be increased. He said in a Courier interview that he feels it is something the supporters want and having seen Raith run Aberdeen close at Starks Park on Saturday he feels that teams at the top of Division would be a worthy addition to the top flight. He also said that he was looking forward to next weeks replay at Pittodrie but this weekends game against Inverness was more important.

Cowden Slip From Top

Cowdenbeaths stay at the summit of Division 2 was ended last night when they fell 2-1 to challengers Alloa, in a tight contest Bryan Prunty put the home side in front after 10 minutes, they extende their lead on 56 when Stuart Noble steered his effort home after his first was parried by the Cowdenbeath keeper David Hay. Cowden pulled one back  on 68 when a fairburn cross was converted by Paul McQuade. The visitors finished the stronger however couldn't find an equaliser.

Tuesday 9th February

Tonights SFL Games

Division 2

Alloa v Cowdenbeath

Division 3

Albion v Livingston

Annan v Berwick

McCarthy To Take His Time

Former Hamilton winger James McCarthy has been urged to make the right decision for him over whether to pledge his allegiance to Scotland or the Republic of Ireland. McCarthy's current boss at Wigan, Roberto Martinez has urged the youngster to taake his time with his decision.

Latvian Signs In At Tannadice

Latvian central defender Pavels Mihadjuks yesterday signed for Dundee United. The 29yo player was with Inverness last season but was a free agent and will help during Uniteds current defensive crisis.

Monday 8th February

McCall Quits

Bradford City boss and former Scotland international Stuart McCall has resigned following this weekends defeat at Bury. He admitted how he had taken the club as far as he could and it was time for a change.