SPFL Weekly: Five Talking Points

Rangers’ second-half performance saves Barry Ferguson’s embarrassment, Hibbies go 14 games unbeaten and Hearts move into top six. There was also a debut home win for new ‘Well boss Michael Wimmer, St Johnstone closes the gap at the bottom, and Celtic win emphatically in unconvincing display. Here’s our round-up of the big talking points from Matchday 28 in the 2024/25 SPFL season. AvenGERS thrust into blockbuster action A heroic second-half performance saw the Light Blues come from two goals down to defeat Killie 4-2. The script replicated a typical superhero blockbuster with the protagonist struggling against a grave threat, only to overcome it in the picture’s second half. Cyriel Dessers was the hero who saved Barry Ferguson, the man chosen as Phillipe Clement’s successor on Monday. Dessers’ two decisive goals carried the Light Blues into the lead to give the interim manager his first SPFL victory. Throughout the first half, Ranger’s defence was terrorized by Kilmarnock’s front two, Bobby Wales and Marley Watkins, prompting Ferguson to make the bold decision to hook French centre-back Clinton Nsiala after just 30 minutes. A goal from Vaclav Cerny ten minutes before half-time gave them hope, and the team talk from boss Captain Hamilton must have helped rally the gang as his team put on a gritty and determined performance in the second half. A tired Kilmarnock ran out of steam as the game wore on, and the Glasgow side only grew in confidence. Ferguson’s team must continue to perform to close the 13-point gap on Celtic. Is there a Hollywood ending in sight, or is it too little or too late? All eyes will be on this weekend’s sequel as Motherwell visits Ibrox. Unbe-Leith-able! Hibs march on Hibernian extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches after late goals from Kieron Bowie and Junior Hoilett, which gave them a dramatic 3-1 victory at Tannadice.  Their goals came after Dundee United had a second-half leader disallowed for handball in the second half following a lengthy VAR check. Jim Goodwin was incensed by the decision, but referee Dermot Gallagher on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch agreed with the VAR’s decision that Sam Dalby headed the ball onto his arm. The positive vibes continue to build in Leith following the announcement that they have signed Aberdeen’s Jamie McGrath on a pre-contract deal, and Hibs owner plans to make £7m donation to cover club losses.  Wimmer feels at home Michael Wimmer experienced his first taste of victory on his Fir Park debut following his arrival last week. Attendance last night was at 4,258, and the home fans would have been excited to see how their new boss got their team playing. However, it was set pieces where they looked most dangerous. Defender Dan Casey scored the two goals to stop the Lanarkshire side’s rot, leading them to their first win in eight matches.  The game also saw a landmark for ‘Well midfielder Callum Slattery, who made his 100th appearance for the Steelmen, with his first appearance coming against Annan Athletic just over four years ago. The visitors, Dundee, will now look over their shoulder as they have now lost five games in a row, leaving them three points off bottom spot. Jammin’ Jambos into top six Hearts fought a challenging game, coming from behind to beat St Mirren 3-1, which saw them leapfrog the Paisley side. Victory has taken them into the top six for the first time since August. 17-year-old James Wilson got the equaliser and won man of the match, amusingly posing post-match with a bottle of rum that his parents probably don’t want him drinking.  The goal that put the Jambos ahead at Tynecastle was by Calem Nieuwenhof, who was making his first start in almost a year. Hearts manager Neil Critchley told BBC Sport after the game: “It was a really tough game. I didn’t think we were at our best, but we’re finding ways to win games. “We weren’t clean or efficient in our play. I wouldn’t say sloppiness but not our usual selves on the ball. But moments went for us, and we showed real grit and resilience.” Hearts now have eight wins in their last 10 in all competitions. Their next game? Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday. Saints close the gap St Johnstone’s 1-0 victory over top-six hopefuls Ross County significantly boosts their fight for Premiership survival. Only 3 points now separate them and Dundee, who are above them in the play-off relegation spot with 10 games left to play. Fans at McDiarmid Park will feel better about themselves after the win following back-to-back defeats.  Mackenzie Kirk’s close-range finish was the decisive goal that, despite a slim scoreline, was a thoroughly deserved result. County ‘keeper Jordan Amissah put in an inspired performance to keep the Saints at bay and the scoreline respectable. Saints Manager Simo Valakari told BBC Sport about the importance of the result: “It was a big win. This match was our most must-win game for our hopes for the rest of the season.” “I’m most happy with how the players performed in this high-pressure game.” County came into this with four wins from their previous five away league games. Their fans were hopeful of the top six but now will have one eye on what’s happening behind them as they still are worryingly close to the relegation play-off spot.   League Table

Michael Wimmer off to a winning start on his Fir Park debut.

It was everything that a Motherwell fan could’ve wished for on Wimmers’ home debut, a fresh tactical style and a first win in seven that will give hope to supporters. After promising “proactive football”, the well fans were encouraged to see the team play through the thirds with a fast-paced, creative build-up play that caused plenty of problems for the already struggling Dundee defence. You could see the style that Wimmer demands from his players already being implemented on the park. Off the ball, his team marked well, with a press that did not allow Dundee to play through the thirds. By marking both full-backs from goal kicks it forced the keeper to play to his centre-backs. As a result of this, the defenders then resorted to going long frequently, which allowed both Liam Gordon and Dan Casey to win headers and start a new phase of play for Motherwell. On the ball, his team were direct and looked to utilise the midfield players before spreading the play wide. They kept the ball on the ground and caused havoc for the Dundee defence. The only time Motherwell struggled was in the stages leading up to Dundees’ goal; they seemed to sit back and invite play onto them, resulting in Dundee grabbing a goal back through Simon Murray. Almost instantly after conceding, the Motherwell team were back to the standard that they had shown in the first half and were rewarded with a match-winning goal through Dan Casey once again. You can see that the players are ready to adapt to their new managers’ style, and after some time to integrate what Wimmer wants, the team could be in contention for a top-six position in what is already a competitive league.  

Saints sink County and edge closer to shore

St Johnstone showed their are no shoe-ins for the drop, beating Ross County 1-0 to narrow the gap to the relegation play-off to just three points. A scrappy and keenly contested affair, it would be Makenzie Kirk to the rescue in the 66th minute to give Simo Valakari’s side the first and last word, Akil Wright’s slip-up with the ball at his feet leaving the hosts all the ammunition they needed to fire ahead. Although it might have belonged to Stephen Duke-McKenna were it not for an excellent save from Jordan Amissah to deny the midfielder’s free-kick from range. Amissah was at hand to deny Kirk, getting low to deny the striker before stopping Sam Curtis with an arguably more impressive save to deny Curtis’ diving header. County struggled to produce any opportunities of note, Connor Randall failing to hit the target his long distance shot before Eli Campbell at least hit the target with his headed effort, albeit straight into the welcoming palms of Fisher. Saints give themselves fighting chance A nine game run that produced two solitary points left St Johnstone to live a solitary existence, condemned by many to the drop. Well 9 points from the next available 15 and the story looks slightly different these days. Kirk was the difference maker tonight, but not for the first time this season after grabbing the only goal in their 1-0 win over Kilmarnock just three months ago. How crucial will he be in helping to haul his side to safety as they travel to face a Dundee side in free fall. No magic on the road from County Perennial relegation dogfighters have turned the tables of pre-conceived notions this season. Not only keeping themselves away from the relegation play-off that seemed to have their names etched in people’s minds, but becoming on the league’s better travelling sides. Four wins from five away from home leading up to this tie made Don Cowie’s side a real danger but it wasn’t to be on the night. Unable to produce any real moments of quality and saved from further damage by the heroic Jordan Amissah. County remain closer to the top half than 11th but will no how easily things can change. Victory at home to Kilmarnock could be a big step towards the former. Line-ups: St Johnstone: Fisher, Wright (Douglas 46), Mitchell, Balodis, Duke-McKenna, Holt, Sprangler (c), Curtis, Svedberg (Carey 58), Kirk, Sidibeh (Clark 74) Unused subs: Franczak, McPake, Sinclair, Smith, Steven, Watt Booked: Douglas, Fisher Goals: Kirk (66) Ross County: Amissah, Campbell, Łopata (Grieves 76), Tomkinson, Harmon (Ashworth 76), Chilvers (Nisbet 65), Randall (c), Kenneh, Wright, Hale (White 46), Phillips (Robesten 46) Unused subs: Allardice, Ashworth, Grieves, Laidlaw, MacLeod, Smith Booked: none Goals: none Referee: Dan McFarlane Attendance: 3,576

Rangers salvage win against Killie to kickstart Ferguson era

The Barry Ferguson era began with a bang as Rangers clawed back a two goal deficit to come away 4-2 winners against Kilmarnock. In the ascendancy, Kilmarnock put themselves ahead as Joe Wright escaped his marker to head in Fraser Murray’s pinpoint corner with just over ten minutes played. Despite a backroom overhaul, it looked as though Rangers were on the verge of a rinse and repeat rather than any clean break as Brad Lyons doubled the hosts’ lead as nicking the ball and firing it home from outside the box. Facing another humiliating defeat, Rangers rallied to claw back a goal. Mohamed Diomande summoned an excellent through ball whilst playing the advantage to put Václav Černy through, the winger producing a deft finish for his 15th of the season. In a night to be enjoyed by set-piece enthusiasts, James Tavernier landed his corner on a dime to find Cyriel Dessers for the side’s equaliser. Victory would sealed by the Nigerian international with a sublime finish, bettered only by the long range pass from Ridvan Yilmaz that found him before Nedim Bajrami capped off the night’s turnaround with Rangers’ fourth. Despite the lopsided opening scoreline, Rangers were almost in front as Kieran O’Hara denied a strong volley from Hamza Igamane. Although they were somewhat fortunate to not be three down as Marley Watkins bore down on Jack Butland’s goal following a misread of the bounce from Clinton Nsiala, the Welshman taking aim between the sticks but the English keeper equal to it. Dessers was denied his first of the evening by a terrific goal-line block by Wright after an excellent ball through the eye of the needle from Igamane across the face of goal. Title gone but Ferguson instills professional pride Two goals is one thing but thirteen points is another as even the greatest fantasists would struggle to conjure a story that would see Rangers snatch the title this year. It’s fair to say that without a Europa League run, the club risks ended their pre-49ers era with an embarrassing whimper. And whilst it the criticism of interim manager Barry Ferguson’s appointment is fair indictment on the haphazard running of the club, the performance tonight indicated that the players still held some professional pride after going down to a side now sat in 10th. This may not be a vintage Rangers year, but there appears to be a glimmer of hope that the man with 288 appearances for the club can at least stop this season ending on a sour note. Mystifying Killie leaving revival too late It would take Kilmarnock seven games to earn their first league win. Nineteen to earn their fifth. By the time the side had woken from their daze, all hope of matching last season’s fourth place finish looked as good as gone. This is side that can lose 6-0 to Rangers in December, but hold a 2-0 lead over them in February. That can do the double over Hearts and then go six without a win. For reasons that fans would love to be able to put their fingers on the season that began with a thrilling if heartbreaking European journey looks set to end with a relegation dogfight. More worrying perhaps is whether Derek McInnes will have the energy, or even the desire to rejuvenate this side desperately in need of new faces. Line-ups: Kilmarnock: O’Hara, Ndaba, Deas (Watson 81), Mayo, Wright, Murray, Magennis (Polworth 70), Lyons (c), Armstrong (Donnelly 61), Wales, Watkins (Cameron 81) Unused subs: Anderson, Kennedy, McCrorie, Ramsay, Wilson-Brown Booked: Magennis, Watson Goals: Wright (11), Lyons (14) Rangers: Butland, Jefté, Nsiala (Yilmaz 31), Pröpper, Tavernier (c), Raskin, Diomande, Hagi (Lawrence 78), Igamane (Bajrami 78), Černy (McCausland 87), Dessers Unused subs: Curtis, Kelly, Danilo, Rafael Fernandes Booked: Hagi, Dessers, Pröpper, Lawrence Goals: Černy (35), Dessers (53, 62), Bajrami (85) Referee: Don Robertson Attendance: 8,751

Hibs boys keep swinging as Bowie downs United

A first club goal for Kieron Bowie capped off Hibernian’s terrific run of fourteen games unbeaten, leapfrogging defeated Dundee United in the process with the hosts denied a controversial equaliser. As normal time had elapsed, it looked as though the visitors would head home with a creditable draw until a pinpoint through ball set Bowie on course to lash home the winner with a fitting finish for a player who had missed ten months of football prior to his return from injury.. However Hibs were made to work for it after a less than convincing header from Rocky Bushiri saw the ball land at Ross Graham’s feet, the defender firing a shot that took a deflection to loop over Jordan Smith and give the home side the lead just six minutes in. After firing his opening effort comfortably into the palms of Jack Walton, Mykola Kukharevych would make mistake with his second as he met Nicky Cadden’s corner at the back post for the equaliser. With Bowie’s belter setting them on their way, Junior Hoilett put the game out of reach with a goal in the tenth minute of added time after Dwight Gayle’s ball over the top of backtracking United defence left the Canadian to beat Walton one on one. Jim Goodwin’s far for impressed with the way VAR denied Sam Dalby a goal that would have put United ahead, ruling out the header from the league’s top scorer for a handball after a drawn out check offering little clarity to supporters. Dalby will rue not making the most of his header in the first half, sending Ryan Strain’s header well over with Strain’s free-kick in added time almost creating a leveller as the effort was spilled by Smith, the keeper’s blushes spared by the quick thinking of his defenders. Sunshine follows Hibs to Dundee A terrific performance against Celtic at Easter Road was capped off by the rendition of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ sung in unison by adoring fans and delighted players. Yet it seems that, contrary to popular belief, the there can be sunshine of Dundee as Hibernian produced a gritty performance to keep the party going for a remarkable fourteenth game. Tannadice is one of the most difficult grounds to travel to so for the side to earn a win with three goals is an achievement that should and will give them confidence. The result marks their first win in three attempts over Jim Goodwin’s side this season as they hopped over tonight’s losers into fourth and only one point behind Aberdeen. Standing in their way of the highest point in their campaign so far is Hearts, who travel to the ‘Holy Ground’ on Sunday. Turbulent year threatens good season For all the acclaim United have received for spending much of the season in fourth despite only just getting promoted, Jim Goodwin will be far from please with the performances he has seen from his side since the new year. Three wins and six losses have put fans in a bit of tizzle with split fast approaching. VAR decisions not withstanding you could hardly claim they were deserving of much in the game, unable to put Hibs under the kind of pressure they have done in the past. Granted, Sam Dalby will feel he should have added 13th league goal to his tally, if not for the effort chalked off then at least for the header that he will no doubt know he should have done better with. Now they must travel to an Aberdeen side only just showing signs of recovery following a turbulent few months of their own. Line-ups: Dundee United: Walton, Graham, Gallagher (c), Adegboyega, Ferry (Babunski 86), Campbell (Fiorini 86), Ševelj, Strain, Paton (van der Sande 72), Dalby Unused subs: Harding, Fotheringham, Middleton, Richards, Sibbald, Trapanovski Booked: Stephenson Goals: Graham (6) Hibs: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri, O’Hora, N. Cadden (Obita 67), Triantis, Moriah-Welsh, Miller, Campbell (Hoilett 76), Kuharevich (Bowie 67), Boyle (c) (Gayle 67) Unused subs: Bursik, C. Cadden, Ekpiteta, Kwon Hyeok-Kyu, Manneh Booked: Kuharevich, Campbell Goals: Kuharevich (18), Bowie (90), Hoilett (90+10) Referee: David Dickinson Attendance: 10, 674