SPFL Archives - SNN Sports

Celtic One Result Away from Title as Post-Split Premiership Fixtures Confirmed

Celtic could secure the Scottish Premiership crown on 26 April when they visit Dundee United, needing just a draw to mathematically confirm their dominance. The reigning champions hold a commanding 15-point advantage over Rangers with only five games left, putting them on the verge of a 13th league title in 14 seasons. In a post-split schedule that raises some familiar concerns about fixture balance, the SPFL has now confirmed the remaining fixtures for both the top and bottom halves of the table. The final Old Firm clash of the campaign is set for Sunday 4 May at Ibrox – a potentially fiery occasion even if the title is already wrapped up. Aberdeen kick off their top-six run with a home tie against Hibernian, while Rangers will travel to face St Mirren in their opener. The top-six fixtures will all conclude on Saturday 17 May with simultaneous 12:30 BST kick-offs. However, the post-split format has once again led to some uneven home-and-away tallies. Hibernian must travel to St Mirren for a third time this season, granting the Buddies 20 home matches and only 18 away. Motherwell, meanwhile, will end their campaign having played 20 away fixtures. It’s the first season since 2017-18 where fixture balance couldn’t be maintained across the league. At the other end of the table, St Johnstone begin their survival bid away to Motherwell. They sit bottom, five points behind the rest with time running out. Just six points separate seventh-placed Hearts from 11th-placed Dundee, with only the side finishing 12th relegated automatically. The team in 11th will enter the play-offs. Bottom-half clubs will conclude their campaigns a day later than the top six, with all games on Sunday 18 May at 15:00 BST. 🔝 Top Six Fixtures Saturday 26 April Dundee United v Celtic (12:30) Aberdeen v Hibernian (15:00) St Mirren v Rangers (15:00) Saturday 3 May Hibernian v Dundee United (15:00) St Mirren v Aberdeen (15:00) Sunday 4 May Rangers v Celtic (12:00) Saturday 10 May Celtic v Hibernian (15:00) Dundee United v St Mirren (15:00) Sunday 11 May Rangers v Aberdeen (12:00) Wednesday 14 May Aberdeen v Celtic (19:45) Rangers v Dundee United (19:45) St Mirren v Hibernian (19:45) Saturday 17 May (All 12:30) Celtic v St Mirren Dundee United v Aberdeen Hibernian v Rangers 🔻 Bottom Six Fixtures Saturday 26 April Hearts v Dundee (15:00) Kilmarnock v Ross County (15:00) Motherwell v St Johnstone (15:00) Saturday 3 May Dundee v Motherwell (15:00) Ross County v Hearts (15:00) St Johnstone v Kilmarnock (15:00) Saturday 10 May Hearts v Motherwell (15:00) Kilmarnock v Dundee (15:00) St Johnstone v Ross County (15:00) Wednesday 14 May Dundee v Ross County (19:45) Hearts v St Johnstone (19:45) Motherwell v Kilmarnock (19:45) Sunday 18 May (All 15:00) Kilmarnock v Hearts Ross County v Motherwell St Johnstone v Dundee

April 15, 2025

Scottish Football: A Broken System That Needs Fixing

Scottish football is in crisis. The league structure is outdated, TV deals are laughable, and youth development is stagnant. Fans are desperate for change, but the decision-makers continue to bury their heads in the sand. Joe Quinn, a former SPFL scout, has had enough. His proposal isn’t just a tweak to the system—it’s a complete overhaul. The question is, will Scottish football finally listen, or will self-interest and inaction win again? The Root of the Problem: A Game Run by Self-Preservation Scottish football is a closed shop. Quinn argues that change doesn’t happen because too many people in power benefit from keeping things exactly as they are. Whenever real reform is proposed, clubs and officials close ranks, protecting their own positions rather than the health of the game. Fans already know the issues: the league is predictable and stale, smaller clubs get a raw deal, Scottish talent is leaving in droves, and the women’s game is consistently underfunded and ignored. Quinn’s proposal isn’t just another discussion paper—it’s a radical blueprint to drag Scottish football into the modern era. But will those in charge finally step aside for progress? The 14-14-14 League Model: Genuine Reform or a New Coat of Paint? One of Quinn’s most controversial ideas is a 14-14-14 league structure designed to increase competition, fairness, and financial stability. The potential benefits are clear: fewer repetitive fixtures, proper promotion and relegation battles, and more clubs at the top level. On paper, it makes sense. But history tells us good ideas don’t always make it past the SPFL boardroom. Mid-table clubs happy with the status quo will fight this to the bitter end. The SPFL has a habit of discussing reform, only to back down when it matters most. Will this time be different? Ditching Gambling Sponsors: Ethical Stand or Financial Suicide? Scottish football is swimming in gambling sponsorships. Betting logos are plastered across shirts, advertising boards, and broadcasts. Quinn’s plan calls for an outright ban, following the example set by the English Premier League. The moral argument? Clear-cut. Gambling addiction destroys lives, and football shouldn’t be complicit in feeding the problem. The financial reality? A nightmare. Clubs, particularly those outside the Premiership, rely on gambling sponsorships to stay afloat. If the SPFL cuts ties with the industry, where does the replacement funding come from? Quinn believes it’s the right move in the long term, but without a clear financial alternative, this could cripple smaller clubs. The League Cup: Time to Stop the Snoozefest Quinn is clear on this: the League Cup group stage is a glorified pre-season exercise. Fans aren’t engaged, clubs don’t take it seriously, and the format is uninspiring. His solution? Scrap the groups, return to a straight knockout competition, and inject real jeopardy and excitement back into the tournament. It’s a simple, logical fix. Whether the SPFL will embrace it is another matter entirely. Youth Development & Women’s Football: Time for Real Investment Scottish football prides itself on producing top talent. But in reality, Quinn believes the system is failing young players. The best prospects leave Scotland at the first opportunity, the women’s game grows despite, not because of, governing body support, and clubs treat youth and women’s football as an afterthought rather than a priority. His proposal calls for real, sustained investment—not just PR soundbites and token gestures. If Scottish football wants a strong future, it has to stop relying on the accidental emergence of “golden generations.” TV Deals: Why Does Scotland Keep Selling Itself Short? Scottish football’s TV contracts are, frankly, embarrassing. Sky Sports cherry-picks matches and does the bare minimum to promote them, clubs earn a fraction of what smaller European leagues generate from broadcasting deals, and fans are either overcharged or locked out entirely. Quinn demands a more aggressive approach to negotiating TV rights. Germany and other European nations offer free-to-air matches. Why is Scotland still accepting scraps? According to Quinn, the SPFL’s usual excuse is “It’s the best deal we can get.” He disagrees. In his view, Scottish football’s leaders don’t fight hard enough for a better deal. Will Anything Actually Change? Scottish football has heard big ideas before. We’ve seen bold proposals, promising plans, and endless discussions. And yet, nothing changes. This time, though, the pressure is mounting. Fans are growing restless. The game is losing relevance. If the SPFL and SFA continue to ignore these problems, they risk losing an entire generation of supporters. So, will Quinn’s plan finally force real action? Or will it be another great idea destined to gather dust? Have Your Say Is Scottish football stuck in the past? Would you support these changes? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on social media using #SNNSports

April 2, 2025

Buddies put five past Killie to keep top six hopes alive

St Mirren have ended a four-year winless run against Kilmarnock as they defeated them at home today. It is only Derek McInnes’ 2nd ever defeat to the saints as a manager and his first as the Killie boss. It gives St. Mirren a real boost going into the two final games before the split. For Kilmarnock it sees them teetering over the playoff places at the bottom of the table. Despite the rainy, windy and blustery conditions before kickoff the start of the game greatly contrasted with it, as it was a scintillating opening ten minutes. The Saints press and overlapping runs, put the Killie backline under pressure immediately. It didn’t take long for the opening goal as the saints first shot on goal put them ahead. A low driving shot from Boyd-Munce sizzled past McCrorie. Only moments later the home side put themselves further in front when Ayunga clashed with Mayo in the box leading referee Nick Walsh to point the spot. Idowu adopted a slow run up with a stutter before hitting the ball and he slid it into the back of the net to give the home side a two-goal advantage after only 10 minutes. Despite Killie having most of the possession they failed to capitalise on it. The second half kicked off to improved weather and from the whistle it would appear a better Killie team. However, this was short lived as in the 58th minute the home side went three ahead. A counterattack led to a corner which wasn’t dealt with by the Kille backline. The ball fell to the feet of Boyd-Munce who fired a powerful side foot shot past the keeper. The Saints then began to show their flare upon the hour mark as they began to control the possession of the game and play some good technical football. In the 65th minute the ball fell to Captain Mark O’Hara on the edge of the box. He brought the ball on to his right side and sent a fourth ball into the net of Killie. Only four minutes later the Hawaii Five-o tune blared across the stadium as Declan John received the ball on the left-hand side of the box and fired home the goal of the game with a venomous shot past McCrorie. In the 85th minute Killie were awarded a penalty after Joe Wright was brought down in the box. Anderson fired stopper Hemming but in reality, it was a conciliation goal from an afternoon to forget. After the game Assistant Manager Brian Kerr said; “I think the performance was excellent. I think it’s been coming to be honest. We’ve had real good performances over the last 7/8 weeks without the result to back that up”. A disappointed Derek McInnes said; “St Mirren were hands down smarter than us, more street wise than us and more clinical than us. They thoroughly deserved the three points today”. Killie now return home next Saturday to face off against Motherwell whereas St. Mirren travel up to face Dundee.

March 29, 2025

Hibs cruise past Saints in first gear to go 15 unbeaten

St Johnstone gave their survival chances little hope, leaving Easter Road without having put up any semblance of a fight. With far too much room to manoeuvre Junior Hoilett fired a brilliant curling shot into the top corner in the 18th minute. Failing to heed the warning of the first, St Johnstone were soon two down before the half-hour mark courtesy of a cute finish from talisman Martin Boyle. Kieron Bowie continued to impress since returning from a long term injury, winning Hibs a penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Calmly slotting his penalty home to see Hibs slip away, sealing the already secured three points. Despite finding themselves five points adrift at the bottom of the table, St Johnstone played in a far more relaxed fashion than their status suggested. Under little pressure at the back but struggling to create any opportunities of note as Hibernian harangued them on the break, there was little for Jordan Smith to do on the day. A first half that could have been far worse for Simo Valakari had Mykola Kuharevich not missed a gilt-edged chance with the goal at his mercy following Boyle’s low cross. Beyond a powerful shot from Kieron Bowie, well saved by Andy Fisher, there was little of note to speak of until the eventual penalty, the visitors unable to put together a dangerous attack despite the flurry of changes from the manager at the interval. Victory means Hibs have suffered just one defeat from the last eighteen in all competitions. St Johnstone meanwhile could find themselves eight points off the relegation play-off places should Dundee pull off an unlikely victory at home to Rangers. Line-ups: Hibernian: Smith, Iredale, Bushiri, Miller, Obita, Levitt (Manneh 74), Triantis, Cadden, Hoilett (Campbell 88), Kuharevich (Bowie 65), Boyle (c) (Gayle 74) Unused subs: Bursik, Molotnikov, Ekpiteta, Moriah-Welsh, O’Hora Booked: Iredale Goals: Hoilett (18), Boyle (29), Bowie (90+5) St Johnstone: Fisher, Douglas (Carey 59), Mitchell, Balodis, Wright (Steven 46), Holt, Sprangler (c), Curtis (Duke-McKenna 46), Svedberg (Clark 82), Griffith, Kirk (Kimpioka 46) Unused subs: Sidibeh, Sinclair, Smith, Steven, Watt Booked: Sprangler, Svedberg, Holt Goals: Referee: Mathew MacDermid

March 29, 2025

Rangers Takeover: US Investors Close In on Majority Stake

Rangers are on the brink of a major ownership shake-up, with a group of American investors finalising a deal to acquire a controlling stake in the club. Paraag Marathe, president of 49ers Enterprises and chairman of Leeds United, is leading the bid alongside Andrew Cavenagh, a Philadelphia-based health insurance mogul. The takeover, agreed in principle, would see the US consortium secure at least 51% of shares, giving them majority control at Ibrox. Legal paperwork is currently being drafted, with the deal expected to be completed ahead of the new season. Who Are the Investors? Paraag Marathe Marathe is a well-known figure in sports investment, playing a key role in the San Francisco 49ers’ success and the Leeds United ownership group. His business acumen and experience in sports analytics have helped transform both clubs, and now, he looks set to bring that expertise to Glasgow. Andrew Cavenagh Cavenagh, a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur, has built his fortune in the health insurance sector. He serves as Executive Chairman of ParetoHealth, a company specialising in employee healthcare solutions. While his background isn’t in football, his financial influence adds weight to the takeover bid. What This Means for Rangers Rangers are currently playing catch-up with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, trailing their rivals by 16 points. This takeover could provide much-needed financial stability and investment in key areas such as squad development, facilities, and commercial expansion. Despite Marathe’s existing ties with Leeds United, he has made it clear that Rangers will retain their independence and will not serve as a feeder club to the English side. The backing of 49ers Enterprises also raises intriguing possibilities. Their expertise in sports data analytics, commercial growth, and brand expansion could be used to modernise Rangers’ operations, both on and off the pitch. Next Steps and Final Approval While an agreement has been reached in principle, the deal must still go through legal processes and regulatory approval from football authorities, including the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and the English Football League (EFL) due to Marathe’s links with Leeds. If finalised, this would mark one of the most significant ownership changes in Rangers’ history. With fresh investment and a new strategic vision, the club could be set for a major transformation in the seasons ahead.

March 4, 2025

Celtic Punish St Mirren in Seven-Goal Thriller to Close in on Title

Celtic moved another step closer to retaining the Scottish Premiership title with a pulsating 5-2 victory over St Mirren in Paisley, extending their lead at the top of the table to 16 points. With just three more wins required to seal a fourth consecutive championship, Brendan Rodgers’ side could wrap up the title as early as the first week of April if they overcome Rangers and Hearts in their next two fixtures before heading to Perth to face St Johnstone. St Mirren, however, did not make it easy for the champions-elect, twice clawing their way back into the contest before Celtic’s superior squad depth proved decisive. A late brace from Yang Hyun-jun, either side of a fine Daizen Maeda strike, secured a hard-fought but ultimately emphatic victory for the visitors. Maeda, in sensational form, netted his 13th goal in 12 games, while Yang’s electric two-goal cameo will give Rodgers plenty to consider ahead of the upcoming title-defining fixtures. Celtic edged in front at the break thanks to Jeffrey Schlupp’s first goal for the club, clinically steering the ball inside the post, and an Arne Engels penalty. Sandwiched between was a stunning free-kick from St Mirren’s Declan John, a curling effort that left Kasper Schmeichel with no chance. The Celtic goalkeeper was called into action twice in quick succession before the interval, denying Toyosi Olusanya one-on-one and then reacting superbly to keep out a Mark O’Hara effort. The second half saw further drama as Ryan Alebiousu, having earlier conceded the penalty, redeemed himself by setting up Killian Phillips for a thunderous equaliser that bounced into the net beyond a helpless Schmeichel. However, Celtic’s bench ultimately made the difference. Yang’s introduction injected fresh energy and creativity, and his impact was instant. The South Korean winger assisted Maeda for a cool finish before adding two goals of his own to put the game beyond doubt. Substitute Luke McCowan also struck the post in a vibrant late spell for the visitors. St Mirren Show Fight but Fall Short Manager Stephen Robinson will take pride in his team’s effort despite the defeat. His side pressed Celtic aggressively, created several clear-cut chances, and forced Schmeichel into multiple fine saves. However, they will rue the needless penalty concession that gave Celtic a foothold in the match. Despite the loss, St Mirren remain well in the hunt for a top-six finish, with performances like this proving they are more than capable of competing with the league’s elite. Celtic’s Strength in Depth Shines Through For Rodgers’ side, this was another demonstration of their relentless pursuit of success. Even on a difficult surface and against a stubborn opponent, Celtic’s quality prevailed. Callum McGregor’s rare substitution did little to disrupt their rhythm, with McCowan adding energy and attacking intent. Jota and Yang further tipped the balance in Celtic’s favour, their introductions stretching St Mirren’s tiring defence. Schlupp will be buoyed by his first goal for the club, while Engels continues to impress in his debut season with his 10th goal of the campaign. With a Scottish Cup tie against Hibernian up next, followed by the crunch league showdown with Rangers, Celtic’s momentum remains firmly intact. What They Said St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: “I don’t think many teams press Celtic like that or create that many chances, but we didn’t take enough of them. That’s been the story of our season – we can’t afford a striker that gets 20 goals. There are very good aspects to that performance, but we want to come away with three points.” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “I think it’s one of my favourite results of the season, coming to St Mirren, who have put in some really strong performances. It’s a brilliant three points for us. Our attacking play was excellent. On a difficult surface, the players were technically superb.”

March 1, 2025

Motherwell Stun Rangers as Ferguson’s Ibrox Return Ends in Defeat

Motherwell inflicted a third successive home defeat on Rangers, delivering a humbling blow to interim boss Barry Ferguson’s return to Ibrox. First-half strikes from Luke Armstrong and Tom Sparrow secured a memorable win for the visitors, marking only their second league triumph over Rangers in 61 attempts—the previous one also coming at Ibrox last season. Controversy struck late on when Cyriel Dessers had a second goal disallowed for offside, despite replays proving inconclusive as to whether Danilo had interfered with play. Early Expectations Dashed Optimism filled the air pre-match, with home fans buoyed by their side’s comeback victory at Kilmarnock. But any belief in a Rangers resurgence was swiftly dismantled as Motherwell struck early. A defensive calamity saw goalkeeper Jack Butland attempt to release Dessers, only for the forward to be dispossessed in a dangerous area. Dan Casey latched onto the loose ball, Butland parried his effort weakly, and Armstrong pounced to tap home. Initially ruled out for offside, the goal was reinstated by VAR as Armstrong’s run had been perfectly timed. Motherwell, brimming with confidence, carved out another opportunity when Callum Slattery’s cut-back found Sparrow, who narrowly missed from a tight angle. The midfielder wouldn’t be denied a second time. Lennon Miller’s clever play on the left teed up Slattery once more, who picked out Sparrow unmarked in the box—this time, his finish was emphatic. Rangers toiled in response, their play disjointed and uninspired. Dessers came closest, smashing the side-netting from a promising position, before the familiar sound of half-time boos echoed around Ibrox. A Glimmer of Hope, Then More Frustration Ferguson, seeking an instant impact, made three changes at the break. Rangers did improve, but their urgency still lacked the cutting edge required. Dessers capitalised on Casey’s hesitation to halve the deficit, sparking a rally from the hosts. Then came the defining moment of the match. Dessers thought he had levelled, bundling home after a flick-on from Danilo, but the offside flag was raised. Replays failed to offer clarity, yet the goal was chalked off, leaving Rangers furious. James Tavernier, making his 500th appearance for the club, had one last chance to salvage a draw, but he blazed over from a promising position as Motherwell held firm. Rangers’ Ibrox Woes Continue Ferguson’s highly anticipated homecoming ended in bitter disappointment, the same frailties that plagued his predecessors glaringly evident. Having now suffered home defeats to Queen’s Park, St Mirren, and Motherwell, serious concerns loom over Rangers’ inability to assert dominance at Ibrox. The Dessers decision will be debated, but the reality is Rangers fell short once again. Sloppy passing, lost duels, and individual errors proved costly. With a daunting Europa League clash against Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe on the horizon, Ferguson must hope for a vastly improved display. Motherwell’s Statement Win While Rangers’ deficiencies stole the headlines, Motherwell’s performance deserved equal credit. Organised, resolute, and fearless, they executed Michael Wimmer’s game plan to perfection. Their defensive structure frustrated Rangers, while their clinical edge in the first half proved decisive. Wimmer had called for a fight, and his players delivered, winning crucial battles and showing composure under pressure. The visitors may have had to dig deep late on, but their second consecutive victory could be transformative in their push for a top-six finish. What They Said Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson: “There’s clearly a problem playing at home. We need to get to the bottom of it. I told the players the fans would back them if they showed passion—I didn’t see enough of that. But I’ll give everything to fix it.” Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: “We wanted to change the atmosphere at Ibrox, and the players executed that brilliantly. We were brave, pressed well, and showed courage on the ball. I’m extremely proud of them.”

March 1, 2025

Dour draw at Dens Park as Saints hold Dundee

Far from being a nail-biter, it looked as though there was a real danger a game of football was going to break out at Dens Park as neither side registered any opportunities of note for nearly forty minutes with the spoils shared on the day. However with the break fast approaching, play burst into life as Makenzie Kirk met a Sam Curtis cross to give visitors a lead, albeit hardly a surprising one. What did catch fans off guard was the response from Tony Docherty’s men, the players looking as subdued as the supporters themselves were awoken as Simon Murray levelled after Joe Shaughnessy’s flick on from Aaron Donnelly’s throw in for his 11th league goal of the season. Adama Sidibeh will not doubt be kicking himself into Monday as he let a golden opportunity pass through his feet, unable to set himself a yard out from goal to give his side the opener in the first-half. With arguably an even greater opportunity was Murray, who profited from a lapse in concentration from Trevor Carson who picked up a back pass just a few metres from his goal line. As St Johnstone camped out on their line to defend, Murray opted for a low driven shot that was blocked by the rushing line of defence to spare the keeper’s blushes. After providing the crucial assist, Curtis would see his header saved off the line in a second-half as both sides struggled to land the killer blow. Against the run of play an excellent driving run from Cesar Garza teed up substitute Scott Tiffoney who lashed a shot past an oblivious Carson, who no doubt exhaled a huge sigh of relief as it rattled his post. A point shared, both sides remain at the bottom of the table. The hosts looking to earn their first win in nine away to Dundee United next week as St Johnstone host Aberdeen. Reliance on Murray a worry Where once the striker was face of a side with resilience and threats from all angles of the park, Simon Murray has suddenly morphed into becoming the entire body. No doubt fatigue is rearing its head as a congested month takes its toll. Seven games in the last four weeks would sap even the best stocked clubs. But with a threadbare squad, barely strenghthened in the window, there was an alarming lack of impetus from Tony Docherty’s players. Then came Murray, with his 17th goal in all competitions, the Dundee native prowled the box and found his opening. Not that he needs much of one anyway. A point is not the end of the world, but it marks 1 from a possible 17 as the side continue to sleep walk into relegation. If they do not snap out of it soon, there won’t be a whole lot their talisman forward will be able to do to prevent a drop to the Championship. Saints find new edge It may not be three points, but compared to their performance 3-1 defeat in early January the last time these sides met this might as well feel like six. A crux of the progressive style of football Simo Valakari pushes for has been the side’s soft underbelly, threatening to undermine any positive play at a moment’s notice. Drawing a Dens Park feels a positive step, albeit teething issues in their development remain. Conceding just five minutes after scoring is endemic of a wider problem for the side that allowed Hearts to score four minutes after Sidibeh had levelled. Despite picking up a respectable 10 points from 18, the players will need no reminding that they remain six from safety. However, Valakari has emphasised that we are observing the building blocks of a foundation being laid, they will need to work double speed if they are to withstand the whirlwind that is the bottom half. Line-ups: Dundee: Carson, Larkeche, Donnelly, Shaughnessy (c), McGhee, Garza, Sylla (Robertson 46), Mulligan (Reilly 72), Cameron, Murray, Adewumi (Tiffoney 72) Unused subs: Astley, Samuels, Ingram, López, McCracken, Sharp Booked: Garza Goals: Murray (45) St Johnstone: Fisher, Douglas, Mitchell, Balodis, Wright, Holt (Svedgberg 63), Sprangler (c), Curtis, Duke-McKenna, Sidibeh (Clark 77), Kirk (Carey 63) Unused subs: Franczak, McPake, Sinclair, Smith, Steven, Watt Booked: Goals: Kirk (40) Referee: Steven McLean Attendance: 7,681

March 1, 2025

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

February 27, 2025

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

February 27, 2025

SPFL

Copyright © 2024 SNN Sports. All Rights Reserved.