Weekend Review

With the Scottish season now up and running, with only one game left to be played in the opening set of fixtures (Dunfermline vs. St. Mirren) which shall be looked at tomorrow, it is now time to review the opening set of games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, starting with the Saturday fixtures.

Rangers 1 - 1 Hearts

Ally’s McCoist’s first game in charge of the Glasgow giants ended in disappointment as they could only salvage a draw against a good Hearts side. Ryan McGowan’s pressure and good ball skills led to a corner being conceded by new Rangers signing Juanma. The resultant corner was floated in by Hearts new signing Danny Grainger and was powered home by the leaping David Obua for an unlikely lead for the team from Gorgie. Two claims for penalties were then turned down, as first Jelavic took a tumble under pressure from the Hearts defence, and then Stevie Naismith went down on the edge of the box. Both decisions were rightfully played on, much to the disgust of the home fans. Naismith should have equalised early in the second half, after a lovely dummy by Jelavic left him one on one, but his shot went well over the bar. Rangers eventual equaliser came more from a mistake by Hearts than anything else, as Ryan McGowan was robbed of possession on the half way line, and the marauding Sasa Papac made him pay, swinging in a cross for Naismith to comfortably head home. Both Obua (denied by a superb save by McGregor) and Papac could have won the game for their teams, but in the end a draw was a fair result.

Man Of The Match - Marius Zaliukas (Hearts): Showed why he is considered one of the best defenders in the SPL with a stand out performance. Marshalled his defence well, and continues to look a class act.

Aberdeen 0 - 0 St. Johnstone

A very windy game at Aberdeen produced a rather dire game of football, with few decent talking points. Ricky Foster thankfully not getting booed by his own fans after his experience with Rangers last season, creating the two best Aberdeen chances in the first half with long range efforts which were comfortably dealt with by Peter Enckleman. The excellent Fraser Fyvie played a delightful through ball to Darren Mackie early in the second half, but the Dons were stopped again by Enckleman. The wind nearly became the most talked about moment in the game, as a high corner from the Dons was caught in it and a scrambling Enckleman had to deal with a ball at his near posts which a few seconds ago was heading deep for his back post. Fyvie came the closest to opening the scoring as his cross hit the inside of the post after looping over Enckleman, before bouncing harmlessly back to a Saints player. The major talking point of the game occurred when a loose pass by Ryan Jack was picked up by Murray Davidson, with the former coming in with a late studs up tackle onto the ankle of the Saints midfielder. A red card was produced by referee Conroy and upon looking at it, it was a very late challenge and probably justified the sending off.

Man of the Match - Fraser Fyvie (Aberdeen): The youngster looks like he could have a very big future in the game, and performances like this will continue to enhance his reputation.

Motherwell 3 - 0 Inverness

Jamie Murphy heightened his growing reputation within the game, and sent the watching scouts home with a glowing report. Michael Higdon also looked like he could be a decent signing for the steel men looking very good in the air. Richie Foran for Inverness came closest to opening the scoring, hitting the post with a curling shot from twenty yards. The opening goal came at the other side though, with an unlikely source in Stevie Hammell getting the goal in a fortunate manner, his volley hitting the post and then cannoning off the head of Ryan Esson and back into the net. Murphy got his goal after good work from Jennings and Law, which seen the new signing Law send the striker through on goal, and he showed the composure to side foot the ball past Esson to double Well’s lead. Inverness could have been back in the game though, but Greg Tansey seen his effort beat Randolph but come back off the post. Randolph then denied Tansey with a cracking point blank save, which was more a reflex than anything else. The third Well goal came from a superb shot from Keith Lasley, the ball dropping to him just outside the box and he powered it into the top corner, leaving Esson with no chance.

Man of the Match - Jamie Murphy (Motherwell): The young striker showed that he may be ready for a step up in class very soon, Motherwell will do very well to hold onto him during this transfer window.

Hibs 0 - 2 Celtic

Celtic get a good first win under their belts with a comfortable win against Hibs, however, the result was marred by the fact they were playing in the horrific “bumblebee” strip, which was a constant eyesore when watching the game. Anthony Stokes opened the scoring for the Hoops after a calamity from Hibs keeper Graham Stack who overstretched for the Celtic free kick and could only fumble the ball to the ex Hibs striker, who calmly placed the ball high into the net. The Hibs goalkeeper curse looks set to continue for a while yet it would seem. Marc Wilson then had a goal disallowed for offside and on further inspection it looked very tight, with the full back looking to be in line with the final Hibs defender. Claims for a Hibs penalty after Sproule fell under the challenge by Kelvin Wilson were rightfully turned away, the Hibs winger already falling before any contact was made. Ki Sung Yueng wrapped up the points for Celtic and completed an excellent display by the Korean, with a cracking strike that fizzed into bottom corner past the outstretched arm of Stack. Celtic were then awarded a penalty after Izaguirre was brought down by Sproule, however the resulting Hooper penalty was saved by Stack who palmed it onto the post.

Man of the Match - Ki Sung Yueng (Celtic): The Korean looked very assured in the middle of the park, did well in replacing Scott Brown and was at the heart of everything Celtic did.


Dundee United 1 - 1 Kilmarnock

Both teams fought out an even contest, with both teams trying to adjust to life after some of their star players had departed. New signing for United, John Rankin sending a shot flying past Cammy Bell’s goal. James Dayton will look to come on this year after missing seven months for Killie last season, and he was next to take a shot after a direct run from the half way line, however, his shot missed the target. David Goodwillie should have opened the scoring after a cracking cross from Paul Dixon was met only six yards out by Goodwillie, however the Scottish young player of the year missed when it looked easier to score. Cammy Bell then had to be alert in the Killie goal to stop a deflected cross sneaking into his bottom corner, while Harkins missed at the other end after hitting his own player with the ball. Killie new boy Rory McKeon then lit up the game in the second half, as he brought down a clearance twenty five yards out, before thumping the ball past the stretching Pernis and sending it crashing into the roof of the net, for a debut to remember. Dundee United soon equalised though, through a free kick that was struck against the wall only for it to fall to Danny Swanson, who then powered the ball into the bottom corner leaving Bell with no chance. It fell to Goodwillie though who had the opportunity to wrap up the three points for United in the last minute, however, he tried to take the ball by Bell and the Killie keeper managed to grab the ball, much to the relief of the Killie fans in attendance.

Man of the Match - Patrick Ada (Kilmarnock): The new recruit from Crewe looked very assured at the back, strong in the challenge and looks to have already set up a decent partnership with other new signing Zdenek Kroca in the backline.

Posted in: Ada,Fyvie,Ki Sung,Murphy,Results,Review,Weekend,Zaliukas