Dunfermline Athletic 0-2 St Johnstone: Saints Back in the Big Time After Title Win in Fife

St Johnstone have been Promoted back to the Premiership at the first time of asking after a convincing win away at Scottish Cup finalist Dunfermline Athletic Dunfermline came into this one off a huge win at Hampden on penalties against Falkirk and will take the last play-off spot with a win tonight, they also had two wins a draw and a defeat in the league going into this one. Saints could book their place back in the top flight of Scottish football with a victory here tonight, and are unbeaten in 12 with their last loss coming against tonight’s opponents at McDiarmid Park back in February. Neil Lennon made five changes to the team that got that historic win at Hampden as Chris Hamilton, Shea Kearney, John Tod, Josh Cooper and Tashan Oakley-Boothe came in for Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Alfons Amade, Charlie Gilmour, Robbie Fraser and Chris Kane. Simo Valakari made one change to the team that won 4-0 at home against Airdrieonians as Jack Baird made way for Matthew Foulds. The first glimpse of a chance came when Callum Morrison looked to be through on goal but some great defensive running from Liam Smith saved St Johnstone from a real problem early on. St Johnstone responded with a couple of corners but they came to nothing as Saints looked to impose themselves on the game. Jamie Gullan was next to try and get a shot away this time St Johnstone but his shot was blocked for a corner. Gullan then smashed the crossbar from close range as the large away crowd at the other end of the ground was certain he had put them in front. James McPake showed good strength against Shea Kearney to get the ball across to Gullan who miss hits the ball and Liam Smith’s shot was deflected wide. McPake robs Nurudeen Abdulai of the ball at the edge of the box and gets it across to Ruari Paton, who’s near post shot is again deflected for a corner, but nothing comes of it. Sam Stanton took a long-3range effort next on a bouncing ball that didn’t drop too far over the crossbar and had Aston Oxborough in Dunfermline’s goal scrambling back. Josh Cooper got Dunfermline’s first real chance in a while, but it was easily blocked and cleared by Saints skipper Jason Holt. Reece McAlear had another shot for St Johnstone but he dragged it well wide as the game remained goalless as we reached the last 10 minutes of the half. Gullan got another shot off for Saints after good hold-up play by Paton, but his shot was an easy save for Oxborough. Andy Tod got his first real involvement right before the break but his shot was high and wide of Toby Steward’s goal. Right from the kick off of the second half Saints were up the park again, Gullan and McPake linked well but Gullan pulled his shot well wide of the goal. Dunfermline had a nice break up the pitch and the ball lands at the feet of Kieran Ngwenya but the centre half batters the ball way over the bar. St Johnstone finally made a breakthrough as McAlear’s deflected shot wrong-footed Oxborough and flew into the net to give Saints a well deserved lead just before the hour mark. Toby Steward completely misses a clearance that wasn’t helped by a bobble in the park and almost tees it up perfectly for Callum Morrison, but the Saints keeper managed to scrape it away at the second attempt. Liam Smith had another chance from a difficult angle and his shot went just over the bar as St Johnstone looked to make sure of the three points and the league title. Saints got their second of the game with just over 15 minutes to go as Smith’s cross was headed in by Paton as it looked as if Simo Valakari’s team would be back up in the Premiership next season. Dunfermline responded well after the second goal, but their lack of quality in the final third made it difficult to break down the St Johnstone defence. The final whistle blew and confirmed that St Johnstone would again be a Premiership club, bouncing straight back up after relegation last season. Next up for Dunfermline is a trip back to Hampden, lesser Hampden this time to face Queens Park in their penultimate league fixture. As for St Johnstone, they have a Friday night game next, at home against Raith Rovers where they will be paraded as champions of the Scottish Championship. Dunfermline Athletic Aston Oxborough, Kieran Ngwenya, Chris Hamilton (Chris Kane 53’) , Matty Todd (Rory MacLeod 76’), Shea Kearney, Nurudeen Abdulai, Andrew Tod, John Tod, Josh Cooper (Alfons Amade 53’), Tashan Oakley-Boothe (Charlie Gilmour 33’), Callum Morrison (Lucas Fyfe 76’).   St Johnstone Toby Steward, Cheick Diabate, Morgan Boyes, Jason Holt, Jamie Gullan (Taylor Steven 71’), Sam Stanton (Kai Fotheringham 90+1), Matthew Foulds, Ruari Paton, Josh McPake, Liam Smith (Adam Forrester 90+2), Reece McAlear.

“Time will tell” – James Tavernier opens up on Rangers contract situation

The Rangers captain remains unaware if he will be at Ibrox next season, having yet to be offered a new contract. Tavernier has started 23 out of the 33 league games this season, with Danny Rohl rotating his squad in chase for the league title. Despite not as much game time, Tavernier has still contributed 14 goals across all competitions. Rangers are one point behind league leaders Hearts and two points ahead of Celtic with five games to go in this fascinating title run in. Speaking with the BBC on his future, Tavernier said: “I don’t know, time will tell for that one. “I’m a man who always focuses on short-term. Especially this week, I’m focusing on my family and focusing on my football. “My wife’s asking me about the summer holidays and what my kids need on holiday, and I’m saying, ‘talk to me at a later date because that’s just too far ahead for me.’ “Time will tell with this one. Obviously, I’m excited for what the future brings.” He was then asked about his shortage of game time, and if it would impact his decision if he was to be offered a deal. He said: “Nothing’s ever a guarantee in football. “You’ve got to earn the right. That’s been the case since day one since I’ve playing professional football. I’ve always had to earn that right to start.” With Rangers being in a tight title race, Tavernier’s focus will surely remain strongly on producing success for the Rangers support.

Bowie receiving “world class” test after Serie A move

Kieron Bowie still has dreams of rejoining Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad, but admits his main focus is on Hellas Verona’s season end, as they aim to steer clear of relegation from the Italian top flight. Speaking with BBC Alba on his latest move, Bowie spoke fondly of his 18-month spell in Scotland’s capital for Hibernian. Recalling his memorable strikes against Partizan Belgrade and Hearts. “I’m not sure I’ll ever score a goal like that again. I still speak to people who say, ‘I’ve never seen a goal like that in my life’. “But the Hearts one is probably the one that meant the most. “It was 3-2 in the end, but really, we should have won the game 5-0. When I arrived, those were the games everyone spoke about and how important it was to win them.” Bowie contributed 8 goals and 3 assists for the Easter Road side, before a reported 6 million pound move to Serie A. His short spell at Hellas Verona has yielded two goals in nine appearances. Although locked in a relegation battle, the move has benefitted Bowie’s personal development, regularly battling some of the best defences in Europe. “You definitely get more time on the ball here and, in a way, it makes it a bit easier – but the players you’re up against are also better. Some are world-class. Every week, you’re playing against a different type of player.” Bowie featured twice for Scotland as a substitute in 2025 and still has a steely determination to make the World Cup squad despite being left out of the recent international friendlies. “Obviously, I want to be on that plane, but for the moment I’m just focused on doing the best I can for Verona,” he said. “Just try and score as many goals as I can before the end of the season. “I want to be there but who knows what will happen.”