SPL Weekend Review

On Thursday I asked if the SPL would continue with the draw and close games that had so far been played. Turns out the answer was no. Over the weekend four of the matches were won by two or more goals, and a total of 18 goals were scored. Here is a look back at the best of the action. Saturday Fixtures: Inverness 0 - 2 Rangers Inverness vs. Rangers BBC Video Rangers picked up their second away win of the season under fortuitous circumstances in Inverness. Rangers got their first with a penalty from Nikica Jelavic, however, the decision to award the penalty was very dodgy, with Ross Tokely looking to win the ball from Steven Naismith who went down under the challenge. Inverness has further room for complaint as the big defender was also sent off for the tackle. Rangers doubled their...

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SPL Weekend Preview

The fourth week of fixtures in the Scottish Premier League will see all sides compete in the same weekend for the only the second time this season. Both the Glasgow sides will compete on the Saturday, with Kilmarnock and Hibs playing in the Sunday game on ESPN. With the SPL now in full swing are we now going to see a change in results or will the league continue to be as tight as it has started out as? Starting with the Saturday fixtures here is a run down of this weeks SPL previews. Saturday Fixtures: Inverness vs. Rangers - 12:45 Rangers make the tricky trip to the North to take on Inverness in what should be a close contest. Inverness...

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Is The SPL Destined For Its Tightest League Ever?

The SPL season will have its first full schedule of games this weekend, however, if the first few weeks are to be considered then it is very likely that draws may be the order of the day. Seven of the first 15 matches played in the Scottish Premier League this season have ended in draws, while another five have been one by the odd goal and only four of the matches have seen a team score more than one goal. So what is resulting in the increase in draws between clubs? The Full Ten Yards argues that an increase in the quality of the so called ‘bottom six’ , plus the continued closing gap between the ‘other’ ten and the Old Firm is causing games to be tighter and the inevitable increase in draws is due to the ten teams outside of the big two slowly becoming on level par with each other. Last...

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SPL Weekend Review

Saturday Fixtures: Dunfermline 3 - 3 Inverness Dunfermline vs. Inverness BBC Video Inverness picked up their first point of the season in a thrilling draw with Dunfermline at East End Park. Andy Kirk gave the hosts the opener with a good right footed finish before a deflected shot from Greg Tansey looped over Paul Gallacher in the Pars goal to equalise. A second goal from Andy Kirk put Dunfermline back into the lead, his powerful header beating Ryan Esson. Johnny Hayes brought the scores back level at 2-2, after Paul Gallacher couldn’t deal with a Jones shot. Inverness then took the lead for the first time in the match with a few minutes remaining, Tansey appearing at the back post to head home from yards out. However, there was a final twist to come as Martin Hardie curled home a...

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SPL Weekend Preview

While the English lower leagues are just starting and the English Premiership is still a week away, the SPL reaches its third week, and with friendly matches still being played by certain clubs, the fixture list composes of only four matches. Starting with the Saturday fixtures here is a run down of this weeks SPL previews. Saturday Fixtures: Dundee United vs. St. Mirren - 15:00 Dundee United begin life without David Goodwillie with a tricky looking home tie against St. Mirren. The Buddies have been labelled ‘this years Kilmarnock’ with the way they have played during their first two fixtures, which have netted them a joint top position...

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Dundee United Look For New ‘Goodie’ As Goodwillie Departs

David Goodwillie finally left Scottish Football yesterday as he completed his prolonged transfer to Blackburn Rovers from Dundee United in a bid said to be worth 2.8 million. The transfer was delayed due to some problems in completing a medical at the Lancashire side, and also for the seven bids that Rangers made for the striker. All seven bids by Rangers were deemed to be lower than what Dundee United chairman Steven Thompson valued Goodwillie, and eventually the young Scotsman completed his move to the English Premiership. While Dundee United have picked up a very handsome amount for a home grown player, they have been left with the tricky...

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Renfrewshire Rivalry Reignited As Buddies Draw The ‘Ton In League Cup Second Round

St. Mirren and Morton will meet in a Renfrewshire derby in the Second Round of the Scottish Communities League Cup. Both teams share a fierce rivalry which has been kept separated in recent years competitively due to St. Mirren’s stay in the SPL, while Morton continue to be a mid table side in the first division. However, league form will go out the window, as the SPL side descend upon Cappielow for the game. Both sides fans forums have been filled with posts in anticipation of the game with the rivalry rekindled and both sets of supporters looking forward to the match. The match will surely bring a big gate to Morton, with the Tuesday/Wednesday...

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The Good, The Vlad and The Ugly - Jefferies Sacked As Hearts Boss

Heart of Midlothian today sensationally announced that manager Jim Jefferies and assistant Billy Brown had been sacked from the club, with current first team coach Gary Locke being put in temporary charge. The details concerning the sackings are still being kept very quiet, however, many are suggesting it is a combination of the Craig Thompson saga and the feeling that Vladimir Romanov wants to place a manager in charge who has European experience for their crunch game on Thursday against Paksi. Jefferies and Brown are no strangers to altercations with chairmen, having been involved in a high profile feud with Killie chairman, Michael Johnston,...

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SPL Weekend Review

Week two of the SPL season seen ten teams compete in five matches, with four games played on Saturday and one of the Sunday. TheFullTenYards will now take a look back at the fixtures played and report on what occurred in each match. For those wondering, the Hearts - Dundee United game will be looked at in more detail tomorrow. St. Johnstone 0 - 2 Rangers Ally McCoist managed to pick up his first competitive win as Rangers boss at the third attempt, defeating a lacklustre Saints side in Perth. However, it was the Saints who had the opening chance, Callum Davidson forcing a good save from Allan McGregor after a decent long range effort. And his namesake Murray Davidson had the next chance for St. Johnstone, his effort just flashing past the far post. However, then Rangers started to get...

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