Kilmarnock 0-3 Rangers: Miovski Double Inspires Rohl’s Rangers to Victory

Kilmarnock 0-3 Rangers Miovski (33′, 54′) Moore (81′) Rangers reclaimed 4th place in the Scottish Premiership after a clinical victory at BBSP Rugby Park, pushing Kilmarnock’s losing run to nine games. The visitors were looking to bounce back from consecutive draws and had the game’s first chance. Miovski headed Connor Barron’s free kick straight at Tobi Oluwayemi in the 7th minute. Rangers continued to grow into the match. Djeidi Gassama latched onto a Mohamed Diomande pass in the 14th minute, but flashed his left-footed strike over the bar from a tight angle. Bruce Anderson raced clear of the Rangers’ backline three minutes later. He lifted the ball over the onrushing Jack Butland, but Connor Barron was on hand to clear off the line. Stuart Kettlewell’s side looked structured in their approach; they limited Rangers in the forward areas for much of the first half, drawing belief from the home faithful. That was until the 32nd minute, thanks to Miovski. The Macedonian striker gathered the ball in a crowded box and squeezed a clever left-footed strike past Oluwayemi, who perhaps could have done better with the poked shot. Anderson flashed a half-volley wide of Butland’s goal four minutes later as the home side looked to respond; however, it had been a frustrating half for Kettlewell’s men. Miovski added his second goal of the game in the 53rd minute. Nicolas Raskin drove at the home defence and fed the striker at the back post. After cutting inside, he drilled a low strike past Oluwayemi at his near post. Anderson smashed a low strike towards goal from a Dom Thompson corner kick in the 64th minute, but Scott Tiffoney could not convert. Butland pushed away a Robbie Deas header from the next corner, as the home side attempted to hit back. Barron misjudged a backpass in the final 15 minutes, but Butland was on hand to clear from Anderson’s path. The goalkeeper took plenty of Anderson in his clearance, but VAR took no further action. Substitute Mikey Moore sealed the three points in the 80th minute. The winger scampered infield after turning away from Lewis Mayo and delivered a composed strike into the bottom corner from the centre of the box. Moore thought he had added Rangers’ fourth moments later, after dinking Oluwayemi from a tight angle. But play was rightly brought back for an Emmanuel Fernandez foul in the buildup. Butland produced a low save to deny Tyrece John-Jules in additional time. The victory moves Rangers back to fourth place and level on points with Motherwell in third. They return to Europa League action against Ferencvárosi on Thursday evening. Kilmarnock: Oluwayemi 5 Brown 6 Mayo 5 Deas 5 Thompson 6 Kiltie 6 Polworth 6 Watson 7 Tiffoney 5 Anderson 6 Dackers 7 Substitutes: Lowery 6 John-Jules 6 Brannan 5 Rangers: Butland 7 Aarons 7 Djiga 7 Fernandez 7 Meghoma 7 Raskin 8 Barron 8 Diomande 7 Gassama 7 Miovski 8 Bajrami 6 Substitutes: Curtis 6 Danilo 6 Tavernier 6 Chermiti 6 Moore 7

Hibernian 3-0 Falkirk: Bowie brace helps Hibs return to winning ways

Hibernian 3-0 Falkirk Boyle (36′ pen)   Bowie (41′, 80′) Hibs returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they dismantled Falkirk 3-0 at Easter Road.   A spot kick converted by Martin Boyle and a double from Kieron Bowie ensured that David Gray’s men bounced back from the disappointment of last weekend’s defeat to Celtic and secured an important three points.  The hosts started the game on the front foot and carved out the first chance of the game within five minutes. Jack Iredale burst his way past a few Falkirk defenders whilst driving into the box before forcing Scott Bain into making a save at the near post, who stuck a foot out for a Hibs corner.   Hibs threatened again as Chris Cadden’s fired an effort from eight yards over the bar, following some good play by Martin Boyle and Dan Barlaser on the right-hand side. It was all Hibs in the early stages, and they were inches away from netting the opener shortly before the 20th minute as Chris Cadden was involved as he played an inviting ball across the face of the goal with Falkirk defender Liam Henderson making a vital clearance to prevent Hibs from taking the lead.   A first opportunity of the match for Falkirk fell on the 20th minute with Hibs keeper Raphael Sallinger  doing well to get a hand to Brad Spencer’s effort from outside the box, Man United Loanee Ethan Williams hoped to net from the follow through, but he could only find the side netting from an incredibly tough angle.   Falkirk had struggled to deal with Hibs’ attacking threat so far, with Josh Mulligan in particular proving to be a nuisance for Falkirk to deal with.  Hibs were awarded a penalty kick on the 35th minute, Martin Boyle was clipped by Philip Lissah on his way through to goal after being played through by Josh Mulligan, Lissah was shown a yellow card in the aftermath.  Boyle stepped up from twelve yards out and made absolutely no mistake from the penalty spot as he sent Scott Bain the wrong way, Hibs’ pressure eventually paying off.  A Falkirk free kick was then whipped into the box, which was met by Brian Graham who attempted an ambitious backheel flick as Raphael Sallinger had to be at full stretch to deny the striker. Hibs doubled their advantage on the 40th minute as Kieron Bowie took a touch on the edge of the area before curling a stunning strike into the top corner beyond Scott Bain, giving his side a convincing two goal cushion going into the interval.  With the second half underway, Falkirk made a double substitution for Falkirk, with Alfie Agyeman and Henry Cartwright coming on to replace Brian Graham and Dylan Tait.   At the start of the half, VAR was involved as a check was ongoing, Falkirk felt as though they should’ve had a penalty for a potential handball from Jack Iredale, however replays showed it came off his forearm. The visitors began to show signs of improvement, Falkirk attacker Ethan Ross was lively down the left-hand side, as he cut inside before being denied brilliantly by Raphael Sallinger who tipped over the bar.   Falkirk looked as if they had got one back, when Ethan Ross had the ball in the back off the Hibs net on the 65th minute after calmly slotting the ball past Sallinger, a VAR check would then penalise Ross for being offside and the goal was overturned. An improved second half display from Falkirk would see Hibs limited to very few chances in front of goal, with the Bairns enjoying the better of possession.  With ten minutes remaining, Hibs had a third. Keiron Bowie netted his second goal of the afternoon and secured all three points for David Gray’s men.  It was an instant impact from Josh Campbell as he flew down the right-hand side before fizzing the ball across goal for Bowie, who finished well from close range to cap off an impressive performance from the Hibees. Next up, Hibs travel to Ibrox to face Rangers on Monday 15 December, whilst Falkirk host Hearts at the Falkirk stadium next Saturday.  Hibs: Sallinger,C Cadden, O’Hora, Bushiri, Iredale, Mulligan, Chaiwa, McGrath, Barlaser, Bowie, Boyle. Substitutes: Smith, Hanley, Levitt,88’ Youan,76’ Newell 76’, Hoilett, Mitchell, Megwa,86’ Campbell 76’ Falkirk: Bain, Lissah, Allan, Henderson, McCann, Spencer, Tait, Ross, Williams, Miller, Graham. Substitutes: Hogarth, Hart 76’, Yeats, Agyeman 45’, Edwards, Samuel-Ogunsuyi, Arfield 76’, Wilson 76’, Cartwright,45’

Manchester Utd 1-1 West Ham: Magassa Rescues Point for Hammers at Old Trafford

Manchester United 1-1 West Ham Dalot (58′)      Magassa (83′) Soungoutou Magassa’s first West Ham goal secured his side a valuable point against a blunt Manchester United side, who themselves move to 8th in the Premier League table. The home side went closest in a drab first half. Bruno Fernandes’ half-volley skimmed the post on the half-hour mark after an ambitious Matheus Cunha effort. They eventually took the lead in the 58th minute thanks to Diogo Dalot. Casemiro’s deflected shot landed at the feet of the Portuguese fullback. He slotted past Alphonse Areola from 10 yards after being left unmarked in the West Ham box. The goal looked set to propel Rubin Amorim’s side into the top four, as they aimed to back up their away victory at Crystal Palace a few days earlier. The visitors, however, forced their way back into the game in the final ten minutes through Magassa. Jarrod Bowen’s flick from a corner was cleared off the line by Noussair Mazraoui. But the ball broke for Magassa, who rolled a composed finish past the stranded Senne Lammens. Fernandes nearly secured the victory in injury time, after latching onto Alphonse Areola’s save, he blazed over. The draw was greeted by a chorus of boos from the home faithful, who remained in 8th spot in the Premier League table. West Ham’s resurgence under Nuno Espirito Santo continues. The draw means the Hammers are unbeaten in three of their last four league matches, and could move out of the relegation zone with a victory over Brighton this weekend. Manchester United: Lammens, Mazraoui, Heaven (Yoro 46′) Shaw (Martínez 88′) Amad, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot (Dorgu 68′) Mbeumo, Cunha (Ugarte 77′) Zirkzee (Mount 78′) West Ham: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Diouf, Magassa, Potts (Irving 83′) Bowen, Soucek (Kanté 83′) Mateus Fernandes, Wilson (Kilman 87′)

Celtic appoint Wilfried Nancy as new manager

Celtic have confirmed Wilfried Nancy as their new permanent manager, who will take charge of the club from Thursday on a two-and-a-half-year deal. The Frenchman arrives from the MLS club Columbus Crew, for whom he has been managing since 2022. His arrival also ends a 37-day wait for Celtic’s next permanent manager, since Brendan Rodgers’ resignation on October 27. Martin O’Neill’s interim reign will end following tonight’s league fixture against Dundee. The Celtic legend has closed the gap to leaders Hearts and secured a League Cup Final appearance in his short second stint. Nancy’s first week will see key tests against Hearts and Roma, before the massive League Cup Final against St Mirren at Hampden Park.

McInnes urges Hearts to seize opportunity ahead of Tynecastle return

Hearts return to home action on Wednesday evening, looking to break a three-match winless run in the Scottish Premiership against 10th-place Kilmarnock.  Speaking with HeartsTV after Saturday’s goalless draw at Fir Park, Derek McInnes hopes his side can “ask the question” of their next opponents. “I want us to try and be a bit more of what we were in terms of being more confident about our work, a bit more belief about our work and a bit more aggressive in our work, even with the two strikers on at the end, the refusal to play up to Kabore and Shankland, and ask the question a bit earlier.” The 0-0 draw left the league leaders 5 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, until nearest challengers Celtic closed that gap to two points the following afternoon at Easter Road. “We kept going round the houses, got ourselves bogged down, so we need to try and engage with strikers, play forward more, and hopefully get our just rewards, and Wednesday night gives us an opportunity – as it always is.” Hearts are unbeaten in 13 of 14 Premiership games, and are the top goalscorers domestically. That included a comprehensive 3-0 victory at BBSP Rugby Park against Wednesday’s opponents, Kilmarnock, “We take the positives from the day to take a point, it’s another point, which on the road is decent shooting. But as long as you take care of your home games, and hopefully we can do that on Wednesday.” Victory at Tynecastle would set up a clash with Celtic on Sunday afternoon, the table toppers will be keen to extend their impressive start to the league season before that tantalising trip to the east end of Glasgow.

Livingston 0-1 Aberdeen: Former Lion Haunts Hosts to Steal Victory for Dons

Livingston 0-1 Aberdeen Devlin (80′) A late Nicky Devlin header secured a key victory for Aberdeen in a scrappy encounter at the Set Fare Arena, which left the hosts rooted to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership. The first opportunity didn’t occur until the 15-minute mark, when Danny Wilson directed Stevie May’s looping free-kick wide of the goal. Moments later, Mo Susoho forced Dimitar Mitov into a low save after smart hold-up play by Tete Yengi, as the Lions searched for the opener. Mitov diverted Lewis Smith’s driven cross on the 20-minute mark to keep the scores level. The home side had their opponents on the back foot, and the sea of red support voiced their disapproval of their team’s timid start. They eventually carved out a clear opening in the 23rd minute. Captain Graeme Shinnie broke forward, allowing Jesper Karlsson to drive at the Livingston defence. After moving the ball to his right, he unleashed a deflected shot which crept past the post. Livingston continued to pose a threat, but Daniel Finlayson’s header lacked direction from May’s next free kick on the half-hour mark. May resumed his set-piece barrage minutes later. His 25-yard free-kick was pushed away by Mitov before thumping his second effort into the advertising boards. Sammy Lawal marauded down the Livingston right in the 37th minute, Scott Pittman collected his infield pass, but his shot deflected over. Summer signings Adil Aouchiche and Karlsson linked for Aberdeen on the 40-minute mark, but Jeromie Prior easily gathered the latter’s poked shot. Both sides pushed for the opener in the second half, but Mitov and Prior had little to do. Stuart Armstrong’s right-footed cross was headed into the ground by Marko Lazetic. The striker had endured a difficult opening hour and was substituted moments later. Yengi fashioned a decent opening on the hour mark. His right-footed strike from the edge of the box was saved by Mitov after a clever Lewis Smith pass. Karlsson looked to be Aberdeen’s best outlet for winning the game. He sprung infield in the 70th minute and flashed a shot wide of Prior’s top corner. Dylan Lobban looked lively on the Aberdeen right. His whipped cross was directed towards the goal by Armstrong, but Prior was alert to save. The visitors opened the scoring in the final ten minutes. Topi Keskinen lifted a cross to the backpost, which former Livi star Nicky Devlin headed home across Prior. The visitors saw out the game, confirming a priceless victory which moves them into 7th spot in the Scottish Premiership. Livingston: Prior 6 Lawal 6 Wilson 6 Finlayson 6 Montano 6 Pittman 7 Tait 7 Susoho 6 Smith 7 May 7 Yengi 7 Substitutes: Carey 6 Brenet 6 Bokila 5 Muirhead 5 Aberdeen: Mitov 7 Devlin 7 Milne 7 Knoester 6 Lobban 7 Shinnie 6 Heltne Nilsen 6 Aouchiche 6 Armstrong 6 Karlsson 7 Lazetic 5 Substitutes: Nisbet 6 Polvara 6 Keskinen 5 Milanovic 5 Clarkston 5

Delighted that even ahead of the game we had a chance to go seven points clear – McInnes

Following their stalemate against Motherwell, Derek McInnes called for “perspective” on his side’s positive start to the Scottish Premiership season. Speaking with the media at full-time, the Hearts boss remains content with their opening fourteen league matches. “Delighted, even ahead of the game, we had a chance to go seven points clear, even saying that as a Hearts manager, that nearly into December, a chance to go seven points clear, there has to be some sort of perspective.” “These boys are human. They work hard to care for the club, to try and get results. So there’s no real criticism for me. There are certain things I thought we could have done better today, and there’s a bit of frustration towards that, but we’re doing a lot right, we’ve got a good thing going here at the club.” “It’s important we try and win a game of football on Wednesday. If we can do that, then we get into next weekend’s game in a decent place and a good position.” The manager revealed that he had urged his side to carry more “belief” after a goalless first period. “I thought we had some good moments (in the second half). We pressed well. I thought that in the first half, we tried to fill the midfield. We were really strong with our work. I thought we tried to stop Motherwell getting any sort of rhythm. The keepers didn’t really have a lot to do. I know that the goal was chopped off, but rightly, it was offside.” “I thought we were really good when we did switch to play and moved the ball that but quicker and strikers linked to play, I thought we arrived outside the box with a good few opportunities, and we weren’t on point enough with that.” Hearts remain top of the Scottish Premiership, the 0-0 draw moves them five points clear of Celtic, who have two games in hand. “I thought we’re good enough for a point. I don’t think we’re good enough to get three points, and that’s disappointing. It’s the last couple of games now where we’re an attacking threat, which has loads of plaudits, loads of praise, and rightly so, both individually and as a team” “I think in that sense, a point on the road at Motherwell in isolation, a clean sheet isn’t the worst result as long as you win your home games. But in the context of not winning at Aberdeen, drawing against Dundee United, I think it just feels a bit more disappointment as a consequence.” Hearts are still without central player Beni Baningime, who has missed three consecutive games with a hamstring injury. The Hearts manager referenced the “control” that the midfielder brings. “He can pass, as we know. He looks after the ball. He is very defensive-minded as well. He can snuff out attacks. So you get a bit of both as a central midfield player. You get good ball retention, good experience. Can play in tight areas and protect the back lot.” The Tynecastle outfit return to league action on Wednesday against Kilmarnock, before a top of the table clash with Celtic the following Sunday.

Dundee 3-1 St Mirren: Dundee claim vital win over St Mirren

Dundee ran out 3-1 winners over St Mirren on Saturday afternoon to end a run of four defeats in the Scottish Premiership. An own goal from Alex Gogic and goals from Drey Wright and Joe Westley gave Dundee a much-needed victory and lifted them up to ninth in the Premiership table. It was the visitors, St Mirren, who started the brighter of the two sides and looked a constant threat from set pieces in the early stages. They began to create a few half chances inside the Dundee box; however, Luke Graham did well defensively to clear any danger. Dundee’s first chance of the match came on the 15th minute mark when Drey Wright’s delivery into the box was met by Joe Westley; however, the Dundee winger was unable to get a proper connection onto the ball to trouble Shamal George, as he comfortably collected. Following this, St Mirren carved out two chances of their own in quick succession. The first coming when Marcus Fraser looked destined to head beyond Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken until a Dundee body got back in time to clear the ball over the bar. The second coming when Conor McMenamin whipped a powerful ball across the face of the goal for Dan Nlundulu, whose effort sailed narrowly wide of goal. St Mirren had the lead on the 25th minute. Slack passing from Dundee defender Clark Robertson within his own half allowed Mikael Mandron to drive forward with the ball and rifle an effort from distance past McCracken to give his side a deserved lead. Dundee wasted no time in responding to going behind as they had an equaliser within minutes, with an Alex Gogic own goal putting them on level terms. Hearts loanee Yan Dhanda let fly from range; Gogic attempted to put a leg out in hope of blocking the shot; however, all it did was take the ball past the helpless Shamal George. It was an end-to-end affair now with both teams showing a real desire to get forward. Dundee came from behind to lead with five minutes remaining, as Drey Wright’s thunderstrike from the corner of the box went in off the post. Shamal George looked to get a touch to it; however, he couldn’t keep it out as Dundee went into the break ahead. The tempo of the game appeared to slow down in the second half; however, Dundee pushed to add to their advantage early on, when Tony Yogane beat his man with a neat piece of skill before crossing high into the Dundee box for Cameron Congreve, whose headed attempt sailed wide of goal. Moments later, Jayden Richardson’s strike for St Mirren from 20 yards out flew just over the crossbar. Richardson was quickly involved up the other end as his clearance was blocked, leaving Simon Murray with freedom to strike, but his effort was tame and went comfortably into the hands of Shamal George. From that point onwards, St Mirren had Dundee pinned back into their own half for much of the second 45, with Dundee unable to get a proper foothold on the game. Frustrations began to grow for St Mirren as they looked to their bench with twenty minutes to go, making a double change with Roland Idowu and Jonay Ayunga coming onto the park, with Conor McMenamin and Mikael Mandron making way. St Mirren continued to pile pressure onto the Dundee backline, but despite Saints controlling possession, Jon McCracken remained untested. With four minutes of additional time to go, Dundee netted a third to all but secure a vital three points for Steven Pressley’s men. Joe Westley’s curling strike from outside the box completed what was a much-improved performance from the Dees.

Dundee v St Mirren Preview

Dundee welcome Stephen Robinson’s St Mirren to Dens Park on Saturday afternoon, with both teams in desperate need of three points. A single point separates these two sides in the Scottish Premiership table, with Dundee sitting in 11th place and St Mirren positioned in ninth. Dundee come into this afternoon’s encounter on the back of a 2-0 away defeat to Hibernian last weekend. Goals from Kieron Bowie and Jamie McGrath meant that Dundee would fall to a fourth consecutive defeat and have also failed to find the back of the net in their last three matches. Victories have been hard to come by for Steven Pressley’s men so far this campaign, having only registered two wins from thirteen matches, both of those coming at Dens Park against Livingston and Celtic respectively. A tough run of games awaits the Dees in the next few weeks, with away trips to Celtic and Livingston and a home match against Aberdeen awaiting Steven Pressley’s side. The visitors, St Mirren, have had their own struggles as of late too, with their last victory coming at the end of September, which was against Dundee, their opponents today. The Buddies are winless in their last six league games, losing five of those, and find themselves two points off the bottom of the table, with only two wins picked up this campaign; however, they have played a game less than Kilmarnock, Dundee and Livingston, who are all below them in the table. Despite their disappointing league form, Stephen Robinson’s men convincingly defeated Motherwell 4-1 at Hampden Park at the start of November to book their place in December’s Scottish League Cup final against Celtic. The Paisley outfit also came into one on the back of a defeat, as they fell to a frustrating 1-0 defeat at home to champions Celtic last time out after a stunning strike in stoppage time from Callum McGregor ensured Celtic claimed all three points. Previous encounter The last meeting between these came earlier this season, back in September. St Mirren were narrow 1-0 winners that day; a first-half strike from Killian Phillips was the difference between the two sides in a tight encounter. Team news Dundee manager Steven Pressley will have a full squad to pick from for today’s match, with no fresh injury concerns. For St Mirren, they will be missing their captain, as Mark O’Hara misses out with a foot injury. Second choice goalkeeper Ryan Mullen is also unavailable.

Linlithgow Rose 1-3 Queen’s Park: visitors avoid early scare to progress in scottish cup

Linlithgow Rose 1-3 Queen’s Park McMullan (15′)   Murray (26′) Savoury (57′) Fowler (68′) Queen’s Park secured passage to the 4th round of the Scottish Cup after coming from behind to defeat Linlithgow Rose at Prestonfield. The lowland league side took an unlikely lead on the 15 minute mark. Connor McMullan side-footed Cammy Thomson’s low cross in the bottom corner. The visitors responded ten minutes later from a corner. Aidan Connolly’s left footed cross was met by the towering Euan Murray to haul Sean Crighton’s side level. Queen’s Park seized control in the second period, thanks to two goals. Grant Savoury bundled home Louis Longridge’s strike, before Josh Fowler’s close range header. Linlithgow Rose: Binnie, Watson, Greene, Skinner, Thomson, Maguire, Berry, McMullan, Kennedy, Stenhouse, Rae Queens Park: Ferrie, Pignatiello, Murray, Shiels, Fieldson, Longridge, MacGregor, Connolly, Savoury, Drozd, Fowler