Hearts retake top spot despite being held by Livingston
Hearts reclaimed top spot in the Scottish Premiership despite being held to a 2-2 draw by bottom-of-the-table Livingston on Sunday afternoon. Rangers’ 4-2 victory over Dundee United at Ibrox yesterday afternoon means the Jambos’ lead at the top of the Premiership table is now just a single point, with six games remaining. The hosts took a shock lead in the 5th minute, as they took full advantage of the first opportunity of the game. Babacar Fati played a fine ball into the box from the left-hand side, an initial shot from Scott Arfield was blocked before the ball fell kindly to Stevie May, who fired the ball low into the bottom corner to net his first goal of the season. Marvin Bartley’s men had made a fast start to the game and were making life difficult for the visitors in the opening exchanges. Hearts were beginning to grow into the game and enjoy some much-needed possession after a nervy start. Claudio Braga had two attempts at goal, his first strike could only find the side netting from a tight angle, before he managed to wriggle away from Livingston’s backline inside the box, but his strike was tame and collected by Jerome Prior in the Livingston goal. The Jambos had their equaliser in the 25th minute. Cristian Montano failed to clear the ball on the edge of his own area, Birmingham loanee Marc Leonard was first to react to the loose ball, playing a perfectly timed ball into the box for Lawrence Shankland, who rose highest to put his side back on level terms and cancel out Stevie May’s opener. Shankland’s equaliser kick-started a spell of dominance for the Gorgie side, with the talisman coming close to a second goal of the afternoon when Claudio Braga controlled Kyziridis’ high cross into the box, allowing Shankland time to strike from range, but his volley flew narrowly wide. In the 40th minute, Hearts threatened once more. Claudio Braga tested the fingertips of Jerome Prior from distance, Prior got down well to his left to divert Braga’s low effort away from danger. The final notable chance of an eventful first half came when Scott Arfield sent a low free kick wide of the Hearts goal. Both sides had to deal with troubling weather conditions as torrential rain and snow began to fall in West Lothian. Hearts started the half the better of the two and took the lead in the 50th minute. Braga and Shankland had looked dangerous all afternoon, and the pair combined well to net their team’s second goal of the game. Shankland’s header at the far post was blocked well by Cristian Montano, but the ball would drop back for the Scotland striker, who played the ball back across goal for Braga, who leaped highest to beat several defenders and give his side a vital lead. Despite Braga’s header, Hearts could only keep their advantage for a matter of minutes. Livingston responded brilliantly to going behind for the first time in the match. Cristian Montano drove forward with the ball on the byline before cutting it back for Joel Nouble inside the box; he miscued an attempt from range, but the ball fell for Lewis Smith, who blasted the ball beyond Alexander Schwolow. The match started to become a very scrappy and end-to-end affair throughout spells of the second half, with both teams struggling to break each other down after Smith’s equaliser, as the game entered the closing stages. As the game entered four minutes of additional time, Robbie Muirhead looked to drive past Marc Leonard on the halfway line, only to be wiped out and brought down. Leonard was shown a yellow card, but a lengthy VAR check followed, which saw the yellow be upgraded to a red card, meaning Hearts had to see the final few seconds of the game out with ten men. Next up for Hearts is a home game against Motherwell next Saturday, meanwhile Livingston travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United.
Celtic leave it late to defeat 10-man Dundee to keep title hopes alive
A late goal by Iheanacho keeps the Celtic title dream alive as Hearts slip up in Lothian and the gap to just three points. Celtic with an early chance as Daizen Maeda flashed a ball across the box but no on there to take it as a big chance goes missing for the visitors. Martin O’Neil’s men were ahead after 8 minutes as Tierney whipped a low cross into the box with McCracken dealing with the initial chance but eventually landed at Yang who made no mistake as he scoops the ball in. Following sloppy play by the hosts, Cvancara tried his luck from distance but fired well over to deny a second. Celtic on 21 minutes had another huge chance as Nygren fired a ball across the goal-mouth but Yang unable to tap it in after stretching fully but unable to connect. Maeda soon after had a darting run goal bound but his strike from distance was stopped by the leg of the Dundee number one after Nygren playing a great ball. A mistake by Dundee allowed Cvancara through on goal with a darting run towards McCracken where the striker struck the ball but only finding the post in a chance he really had to score. Celtic continued to cause issues as Nygren picked up the ball on the edge of the box, slotted to Cvancara but was a simple stop for the Dundee man in goal. Moments later, youngster Colby Donovan unleashed one from distance but just a bit too high to cause any real problems. A poor first 45 by the hosts as they struggled to test Sinisalo at all where Celtic have looked miles better than the hosts as they go into the break ahead and well deserved. Into the second period, Celtic should have had two as Nygren squared the ball to Cvancara who took an extra touch which killed off any chance of getting the second of the afternoon. 10 minutes into the second half, Dundee were awarded a spot kick following handball with captain Simon Murray dispatched striking it into the bottom left-hand corner to put Dundee back on level terms. Celtic had a chance after the hour mark, Tierney on the left-flank who whipped the ball in which Yang’s header was tipped over by McCracken. Celtic were ahead late on after substitute Saracchi crossed the ball in as Iheanacho connected well and struck the ball into the back of the net from close range. Dundee were moments later reduced to ten as Astley was shown red following a last man challenge as it went all wrong for the Dees. Iheanacho almost had the third but a brilliant block by the substitute Koumetio denied their third. A big win on the road for Celtic as they tighten the gap at the top to just three points as the title race heats up for the final six games. Dundee: McCracken(6), Wright (6), Astley (6), Halliday (6), Graham (8), Congreve (7), Yogane (7), Dhanda (6), Hamilton (6), Robertson (7), Murray (7). Substitutes: Hay (6), Cotterill (6), Wright (6), Koumetio (6), Reilly (6). Celtic: Sinisalo (6), Scales (6), Donovan (6), Tierney (6), Trusty (6), McGregor (6), Yang (7), Maeda (6), Nygren (7), Oxlade-Chamberlain (7), Cvancara (6). Substitutes: Iheanacho (7), Ralston (6), McCowan (6), Saracchi (6), Forrest (6).
McGlynn lauds “incredible” bairns after soaring to top six finish
15 years after their last top-flight appearance, John McGlynn’s hungry Falkirk side opened their highly anticipated Premiership campaign against Dundee United in August. Fast forward 7 months, and with a historic top-six finish secured, McGlynn hailed the result as their “greatest achievement” yet in a trophy-laden tenure. Saturday’s impressive 3-2 win over Motherwell finally concluded Falkirk’s top-six status. McGlynn praised his fearless side at full-time. “As much as we’ve been invincible [in League 1] and we’ve won the Championship, I think this is probably the biggest achievement, the greatest achievement,” “We’ve come into the top league. We have not tried to just go in and defend and scrape for a point here and there. “We’ve been out to attack in every game, we’ve played attacking football, attractive attacking football, and we’ve come out in a top-six position, which is incredible. “It means everything, actually. The players have been so good the whole season, and they deserve to be there. Their performances have been so good, and I’m so proud of them.” Calvin Miller shone at Fir Park, setting up Barney Stewart’s earlier opener, and coolly slotting a penalty to round out the scoring. The winger exudes a confidence and swagger that could benefit Scotland in the World Cup later this year. McGlynn pointed out Miller’s performance and his delight at housing the tricky player. “His performance was different class. He’s at the top of his game, and I’m delighted to have him. He’s got another year on his contract after this one, and hopefully he’s strutting his stuff for us going forward.” Falkirk’s season could yet yield further success and history. With a Scottish Cup semi-final on the horizon, McGlynn’s side may add silverware to their brilliant year. “We’ve got so much to play for, but the guys are not going to be on the beach. They’re not going to be in holiday mode. “We’ve got a big part to play in the last five games of the season. Obviously, we’ve got Rangers next week, and we’ve got a semi-final of the Scottish Cup, which is huge for us. “When it comes to these last five games, we’ve got a bit of a say in where the title will go. That will keep us motivated right to the end.” Falkirk round out their pre-split fixtures against Rangers next Sunday, before facing Dunfermline at Hampden. In a season full of surprises, it is impossible to rule out a late European surge from the swaggering Bairns.
