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 superb free kick in injury time to deny Inverness the win and give both teams a share of the spoils.

Dundee United 1 - 1 St. Mirren

Dundee United vs. St. Mirren BBC Video

Both teams continued their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought draw at Tannadice. There was an horrific incident to the start of the game, with an innocuous challenge by Jim Goodwin on Scott Severin seen the former Aberdeen man be stretched off with a triple leg break. Steven Thompson got his first goal after returning St. Mirren after good work by Nigel Hasselbaink on the wings set him up for an easy finish. Hasselbaink then turned into the villian of the piece, striking Sean Dillon with a flailing arm after beating the Irishman for pace. Hasselbaink deservedly seen red, and St. Mirren were down to ten men. An onslaught against the St. Mirren goal soon followed, and United were eventually rewarded for their pressure with a Jon Daly goal after smart work by Scott Allan.

Sunday Fixtures:

Aberdeen 0 - 1 Celtic

Aberdeen vs. Celtic BBC Video

Celtic made it two wins from two with a close victory at Aberdeen. Like the Dundee United game previously, the game started with another horrible injury. Last seasons player of the year Emilio Izaguirre breaking his ankle after a good tackle by Peter Pawllet saw the Honduran land very badly on his right ankle. The only goal of the game came in the second half, Anthony Stokes stealing the ball from Aberdeen captain Ricky Foster, before playing a neat one-two with Kris Commons and then finishing past Gonzalez in the Aberdeen goal.

Motherwell 1 - 0 Hearts

Motherwell vs. Hearts BBC Video

Hearts continued their bad start to the season, a defeat by Motherwell leaving them sitting ninth in the table. After a very even first half, he game sparked into life in the second, with an over the top challenge by Jambos midfielder Ian Black on Keith Lasley which seen the ex Inverness player see red. Motherwell finally took advantage of the numbers are returned to the top of the SPL with a Jamie Murphy goal. A good ball by Lasley sending Nicky Law free and his squared ball to Murphy was finished off by the ‘Well striker to give his side the three points.

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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 situation of finding a replacement for a player who scored 17 goals in the Scottish Premier League last season. With this dilemma on the hands of United manager, Peter Houston, The Full Ten Yards looks at the options that he has.



Johnny Russell: The most likely choice to replace Goodwillie as Jon Daly’s strike partner at United, the 21 year old has experience playing in the SPL having made 29 appearances in the league last season. These appearances mainly came in the form of substitute appearances or replacing Jon Daly in his absence or positional switch, with Daly sometimes deployed as a makeshift centre back. The young striker managed a very healthy return of nine goals for the campaign last season, and looks sure to add to that tally this season with a first team position now in his hands. The striker will be hoping that he can use his experience from loan spells at Forfar and Raith Rovers (where Goodwillie also spent a season on loan), and his games last season, to further his game and make the United fans forget all about Goodwillie.

Ryan Dow: A diehard Dundee United fan, Dow has scored goals at nearly every he has played at. Whether it be at Dundee United’s youth side, their reserve side and their under 19 side or with Forfar during a loan spell in 2011, where his record of 3 goals in 8 games helped Forfar to third placed finish in the second division. Dow was used as a winger on his only first team appearance for the Arabs, assisting their only goal in a 2-1 loss to Rangers. His performance in that game also netted him the man of the match award, and he has shown that he has the ability to perform at the top level. With Johnny Russell likely to get the first team position, Dow may have to settle for a place on the bench, however, he is sure to get more chances to shine this season.

Dale Hilson: Another who can play down either wing or as an out and out striker, 18 year old Hilson has a big future in the game. Having came from the same boys club as both Goodwillie and United legend, Duncan Ferguson, Hilson has the ability to go far. He showed this ability in the 2009-2010 season where he ended up as top goalscorer for United at under 19 level. His performances didn’t go unnoticed and Hilson received the award for Scottish Youth Player of the Year and also Scottish Rising Star in 2010. Moreover, he has also made two full team appearances for United, and featured in over half of Forfar’s games last season while he was on loan with them. Hilson may not be the immediate choice to replace Goodwillie, however, give him a season or two, and Hilson could be the next big money player that United have on their books.

Playing A Lone Striker: While United may not have a wide range of experienced strikers to call upon after the departure of Goodwillie, they do have a plethora of talented midfielders. This may make Peter Houston think about going for a five man midfield, a tactic that has worked well for many Scottish teams over the past years. A midfield of Willo Flood, Scott Robertson, Danny Swanson and John Rankin with Scott Severin as a sitting midfielder would be able to match the talent of any club outside the Old Firm in the SPL.

The main option though is continuing with the 4-4-2 formation that has suited Peter Houston and his team over the past few years. Johnny Russell is very likely to be the replacement for Goodwillie, but can him and Jon Daly score the goals now missing from the United side?

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First Game Fixtures

The SPL season starts off with a bang with a new season which is sure to promise to be as exciting as previous seasons, with many teams strengthening, many preparing for the earliest start to a league season in many years, while Rangers and Celtic will fight it out for the title, the remaining ten will fight it out for the rest of the places and the honour of being the best of the rest or have the disaster of being relegated. This weekend a full set of fixtures kicks us off with a 12.30 Saturday start for Hearts and champions Rangers. Without further ado, here is my look at this weekend’s fixtures:

Saturday fixtures

Rangers vs. Hearts - 12.30

Rangers kick off their season with the tough visit of Hearts who will be looking to continue their season promise and look to challenge the Old Firm as much as possible. Several new players may make debuts for both sides. I am not going to announce something as spectacular as an away win at Ibrox as my first prediction, but I do foresee Hearts given Rangers, under new boss, Ally McCoist, a bit of a challenge.

Verdict: 3 - 1

…

Aberdeen vs. St. Johnstone - 3.00

Craig Brown’s first full season in charge of Aberdeen promises so much, with a new team shaping up and a different outlook from different seasons. A nice home win for the Dons is predicted, and St. Johnstone will be lucky to look past this game and move forward at their first home match.

Verdict: 2 -0

…

Motherwell vs. Inverness - 3.00

The start of the season is always a tough one to predict, especially with two teams so closely talented. If Terry Butcher can continue the Inverness away results feat, then they should do ok, Motherwell as well, will look to start the season at home with a bang.

Verdict: 1 - 1

...

Sunday Fixtures

Hibs vs. Celtic - 12.30

Even at this early stage in the season Celtic will be looking to capitalise on any mistakes that Rangers may make, and an away game at Easter Road may prove to be quite a decent opportunity for a good start to the season. Hibs will probably take time to gel and Colin Calderwood will probably be looking towards the next fixture for their first chance at points. Celtic should get the win and start their season perfectly, before they go on their start of season, pre season fixture!

Verdict: Hibs 0 - 2 Celtic

...

Dundee United vs. Kilmarnock - 3.00

Dundee United disappointed their fans on Thursday after getting eliminated from the Europa League at the first hurdle, getting put out by Polish side Slask Warclaw. They will look to put that behind them against the team they beat for the European slot last season. United won this fixture 4-2 last time, and both teams have lost near enough their full midfield during the pre season, Bauben and Gomis leaving United, with Bryson and Eremenko departing from Killie. Killie will be looking for a decent start to the season, and prove some of their doubters wrong. Therefore a close struggle should ensue.

Verdict: Dundee United 1 - 1 Kilmarnock

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Pre Season Predictions

The Scottish Football Season kicks off in a few hours, much to the disgust of many Scottish football figures including Inverness manager Terry Butcher, who declared it a farce, and I have to agree with him. Being three weeks early of the English Premiership starting, and allowing for pre season friendly’s to occur after the season has started is taking the biscuit quite clearly. The Scottish football season put bluntly should start at the same time as its English counterparts, be it either the Championship or the Premiership.

However, with it starting tomorrow, it is time for the annual pre season predictions, which is a reason to look back in ten months time and laugh at how hopelessly I get it wrong. So here goes:

1st - Rangers: Should make it four in a row in a tightly contested competition with Celtic. The only reason for having Rangers ahead of Celtic is due to the managers at both clubs. While Neil Lennon at Celtic is likely to continue hogging all the spotlight, Ally McCoist will be happy to leave him to it, and will instill his players with the confidence to take the top position.

Key Player: Nikica Jelavic

2nd - Celtic: See above.

Key Player: Kris Commons

3rd - Hearts: Not a shock to many, as Hearts ran away with third position last season and I presume they will do the same this season. Some assured signings from Jim Jefferies in Mehdi Taouil, Jamie Hamill and John Sutton are likely to see Hearts continue cementing third position as their own. They may not push the Old Firm as much as many would like, but they should confirm third place and keep the status quo going in Scotland.

Key Player: Andrew Driver

4th - Aberdeen: Did not have the season they were expecting last season, with Mark McGhee not having the return to Aberdeen that he was expecting, culminating in some shocking defeats and an embarrassing exit for the former Don great. However, with Craig Brown now at the helm, he is likely to do the same as he did at Motherwell and continue to prove that he grows better with age. They should make sure of 4th quite comfortably if Brown gets his team gelling together in the manner he usually does.

Key Player: Scott Vernon

5th - Dundee United: After Aberdeen it comes down to a straight fight between roughly everyone else to fill the remaining two positions in the top six. Dundee United have been gutted of a few strong players over the pre season weeks, and will be weakened for it, however, if they continue to keep David Goodwillie at the head of their attack then he should get the goals to keep them strong in the top six. If they do fail to keep him though, they could struggle for a top six position.

Key Player: David Goodwillie

6th - Kilmarnock: Alexei Eremenko has now left them, after being the star of the league last season, and along with Bryson, Hamill and Taouil they may struggle over the first few weeks with a new team trying to work together. However, if Kenny Shiels continues to keep the Mixu way of playing then they should be comfortably safe, maybe even sneaking a top six position. Paul Heffernan and Gary Harkins should get a few goals between them and that should get the Killie into the top six.

Key Player: Liam Kelly

7th - Motherwell: Rookie manager in Stuart McCall could give them a bit of a problem, and their first full season without Craig Brown may prove that the old manager made the team, especially with what I predict him to do at Aberdeen. They have enough quality about their team though to make sure they are comfortably clear of relegation and should fight both Dundee United and Kilmarnock, alongside Hibs and St. Mirren for a top six position.

Key Player: Jamie Murphy

8th - Hibs: The speculation over the future of Colin Calderwood has finally went away, with the ex Newcastle assistant finally confirming that his future lies with the Edinburgh side. Shrewd signings in both O’Connor and Sproule returning to the Hibees has led many to believe that Hibs could push into the top six this season. I however, look at the record of Calderwood at Hibs, and still believe that he may struggle this season with greater expectations on his shoulders.

Key Player: Garry O’Connor

9th - St. Mirren: Steven Thompson will prove to be a very good signing I feel and I am quite confident in predicting that he will get over a double figure total scores for this season. Gary Teale can provide him with the deliveries the big man needs to score goals. However, it is at the back that the Buddies will once again come unstuck, cracks will open and inconsistency will appear. A season of some cracking and some weird results will occur, but St. Mirren should be safe and have the nack of fighting off relegation that should see them clear by the start of the split.

Key Player: Steven Thompson

10th - Inverness: Losing Adam Rooney was a bitter blow for Terry Butcher, and the second season curse should strike in, after losing that “new kid in town” effect they may struggle. A lack of firepower and a touch of inconsistency will see them in a three team battle for the relegation spot, but they should succeed in avoiding such a fate, if not for their team, but for the fear of God, Butcher will put into them.

Key Player: Richie Foran

11th - Dunfermline: The difference between previous seasons and this season is that a lot of teams that would usually be fighting relegation season after season have got a hell of a lot stronger. Kilmarnock and St. Mirren should easily clear the relegation battle, and that only leaves a few teams. Jim McIntyre is currently trying to build a team worthy of a position in the SPL, but his team is littered with those only good enough for the 1st division and I can only envisage a struggle in their, and McIntyre’s first season in the big league.

Key Player: Paul Burns

12th - St. Johnstone: It just sometimes happens that a manager finally reaches a period where he can’t take a team any further, it happened with Jim Jefferies at Kilmarnock, Gus MacPherson at St. Mirren and it may now happen with Derek McInnes at St. Johnstone. There was a period of struggle last season with the Saints and McInnes managed to navigate that period, just. This season though is a different matter and with a load of better teams, the Saints are my pick for the drop. The quicker that McInnes gets his deserved move down south, the better for St. Johnstone, or he could just become another manager who should have moved on to better things, but instead held on to long and everything ended in disaster.

Key Player: Murray Davidson

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