Title Charges, Cup Knockouts, and Future Stars: SPFL Breakdown Round 28
The Scottish Premiership returns for another crucial weekend of action, ahead of the six matchups – these are the main things to watch out for. Game of the Round – Hearts v Falkirk Derek McInnes will look to galvanise his league-leading side, as they attempt to bounce back from a thrilling Ibrox defeat. Standing in their way are Falkirk, the only side to taste victory at Tynecastle this season. The hosts’ lead has slipped to two points, but with a favourable pre-split fixture list, it feels now or never for their title credentials. McInnes is still missing key stalwarts Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland, but a precious three points will put further pressure on the Glasgow giants, who both play on Sunday. Claudio Braga will likely lead the line; one of his eleven league goals was in the 2nd minute at the Falkirk Stadium in mid-December. The Gorgie faithful will hope their Portuguese star can deliver another key goal in the title race. Falkirk welcome Dundee United in the Scottish Cup shortly, and their penalty shootout victory over Hearts has helped pave the way to the quarter-final clash. John McGlynn’s side have enjoyed a flying start to their domestic season, sitting comfortably in the top six, and impressing the masses with their colourful football brand. The Bairns are too far back from the title race, but are in a battle for European football, as they attempt to chase down Hibernian in 5th place. Will Hearts resume their stellar season, or can Falkirk spoil the party once more? Team Spotlight – Motherwell Jens Berthel Askou was “very disappointed” to see his side crash out of the Scottish Cup, but the Steelmen must quickly pivot to Paisley for a crucial league clash with St Mirren. Despite the setback at Pittodrie, Motherwell have been stellar in the league; they currently sit in fourth place with a remarkably resilient record of just three defeats in twenty-six matches. While the media spotlight remains fixed on the traditional trio of Hearts, Rangers, and Celtic, the Fir Park faithful are quick to point out that they sit just seven points off the summit as the run-in approaches. Motherwell previously tasted knockout heartbreak with a 4-1 League Cup Semi-Final loss, but they proved their bounce-back ability by dispatching St Mirren 2-0 back in January. With cup distractions now firmly in the rearview mirror, a singular focus on the Premiership could transform an already impressive season into an unlikely title charge. Player to Watch – Owen Elding Hibernian may have lost Kieron Bowie for a club-record fee, but they look to have found a ready-made successor in a 19-year-old Irish sensation. Since arriving on Edinburgh’s shores, Owen Elding has wasted no time making an impact, netting his first goal in green during his full debut against St Mirren last Saturday. Excitement is rapidly building around the youngster’s potential and upward trajectory. The forward, who joined from Sligo Rovers in January following a prolific 12-goal season in the League of Ireland, was buzzing after his standout performance. “Obviously, there’s no better feeling than hitting the back of the net,” Elding remarked. “To do it on my first home start… there’s nothing more special.” As the Hibees prepare to visit Celtic Park this Sunday, Elding will be brimming with confidence. He’ll be hoping David Gray gives him the nod once more to lead the line on the big stage.
Aberdeen 2-0 Motherwell: Dons Progress to Quarters after 3 Red Cards
Aberdeen booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter‑finals with a hard‑fought win over Motherwell in a chaotic Pittodrie encounter. The match, which featured three red cards, saw Peter Leven’s side keep their season alive with a goal in each half. Kevin Nisbet opened the scoring with a superb free kick from the left edge of the box. Moments earlier, Oscar Priestman’s costly slip brought down Lyall Cameron, prompting referee John Beaton to show the first red card inside just three minutes. Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Aberdeen grew in confidence, but they too were reduced to ten men when Dennis Geiger was dismissed for a high challenge on Lukas Fadinger. Motherwell’s night worsened when John Beaton again intervened, sending off Liam Gordon for tripping the onrushing Toyosi Olusanya. Initially shown a yellow card, the offence was upgraded to red following a VAR review, leaving the visitors with nine men. Aberdeen ultimately sealed the result shortly after the hour mark. Captain Graeme Shinnie calmed the Pittodrie nerves with a precise left‑footed strike from 25 yards, drilling the ball into the bottom corner. Leven’s side now turn their attention back to Premiership action against Dundee on Saturday, while Motherwell prepare for their trip to Paisley to face St Mirren. Aberdeen: Bratveit, Devlin, Milne, McIntyre, Frame, Shinnie, Geiger, Cameron (Nilsen 85′) Milanovic (Olusanya 46′) Keskinen (Palaversa 46′) Nisbet (Lazetic 80′) Motherwell: Connelly, Sparrow (Slattery 46′) McGinn, Gordon, O’Donnell, Priestman, Fadinger (Longelo 61′) Just (Said 68′)Charles-Cook (Nicholson 80′) Maswanhise, Bjorgolfsson (Watt 61′)
“I Don’t Go Back” – Ange Postecoglou Gives Answer on Celtic Return
Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has said that he ‘doesn’t go back’ when asked about a potential return on The Overlap. The Australian won five trophies in his two-season stint in Parkhead, three of those coming in his second season, and made himself a fan-favourite in the process. Now out of work since being sacked by Nottingham Forest in October, the 60-year-old has suggested his next job will not be in Glasgow. He told The Overlap: “I loved Celtic, mate. What a football club. “If I was younger, I would probably have stayed there longer. I probably would’ve stayed there three, four years. I think I could’ve made progress with them in Europe. “But at the time, like I said it had taken me a long time to get to this sort of space that the opportunity to join Tottenham was too good. “In terms of going back, I don’t go back. I just don’t think that’s kind of been my career. “Whatever the next step is, it will be something new, something I can make an impact in, somewhere I can win things. “It doesn’t diminish the affection I have for Celtic. It was a great experience. For two years, to be within a community that is so passionate, and it’s crazy how passionate they are about their football club. “Obviously I was fortunate enough to have success, so it’s a positive experience, and I loved every minute of it. I look back on it fondly but I won’t go back. I don’t think that is how my career has played out.” Postecoglou also commented on how intense the ‘Glasgow fishbowl’ can be, as he found out in his maiden season. “Nobody is going to talk to me about rivalry, I lived and breathed it there. “The perfect weekend in Scotland is Celtic winning, Rangers losing. Celtic winning, Rangers winning is not a good weekend. “I remember the first year I was there we won the double but Rangers were in the Europa League final. I got more text messages the night they lost the Europa League final than the night we won the league.” Celtic have Martin O’Neill in temporary charge for the rest of the season, with fans hoping that a suitable permanent successor will be announced with plenty of time to oversee the squad after the disastrous appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
“I’m Not Closing Any Doors” – Paulo Bernardo On Potential Homeland Return
Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo refused to rule out a return to his native Portugal as the former Benfica midfielder struggles for game time. The 24-year-old fell out of favour at Parkhead this season, averaging just over half an hour across his seventeen appearances in all competitions. And with three and a half years left to run on his current deal, there is a possibility that the former Portugal U21’s captain may be offloaded for a fee this summer. Bernardo told Portuguese group Sapo: “I love Portugal. For me, living in Portugal is a privilege, so it [move back] could happen. “I don’t know what will happen, but I see it in a positive light, and I’m not closing any doors.” The Benfica academy graduate last featured in league action when he played the whole first half of Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Motherwell before New Year under Wilfried Nancy. But even since the return of interim boss Martin O’Neill, the Northern Irishman has opted to use Bernardo for cup ties and and European substitute cameos. And Bernardo himself admitted that this season has been far from plain-sailing. “We struggled for half the season, but we’re managing to get back into the rhythm. “Things have been going well, and I think we’re giving a good response after that more negative period. “It’s been a somewhat complicated season, but I’ve been trying my best to fight for my place and do what I’ve done in recent seasons.” There is a possibility that Bernardo plays a role in Celtic’s Europa League fixture tonight at home to Stuttgart, with club record signing Arne Engels out injured, and new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain unregistered. “We’re in a good moment to face Stuttgart. German teams are quite competitive. “They run a lot, so the game won’t be easy, and we play the first leg at home, so that might give us a bit of an advantage.” Reports suggested that Celtic knocked back a late January window loan move from an unnamed Danish club for Bernardo, however it remains to be seen whether there is a way back in for Bernardo amid a plethora of options. Celtic face VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park tonight in the Europa League, before another home contest against Hibernian this Sunday in the Premiership.
