St Mirren 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

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

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

SPFL Weekly: Five Talking Points

Rangers gave Philippe Clement his marching orders, Hibernian defeated a lethargic Celtic, there was no new manager bounce for Motherwell, and the cool-as-ice Kabangu kept Hearts ticking. Meanwhile, Ross County continued their push for the top six, and Aberdeen stave off capitulation with back-to-back wins. Here’s our round-up of the big talking points from Matchday 27 in the 2024/25 SPFL season. Clement sacked – Who’s next? Rangers 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren was the straw that broke the camel’s back. A dismal showing at Ibrox sealed Philippe Clement’s fate in a week filled with speculation about a potential US-led takeover by San Francisco 49ers’ investors. His dismissal came just hours after our report last night, which anticipated the club’s official announcement. After the match, Clement apologised to the fans, telling BBC Sport: “I can only say sorry and apologise [to the Rangers fans] from me and the team. This is not what Rangers teams need to show on the pitch. We all know this was by far below the standards we all expect.” However, for Rangers supporters, it was too little, too late. Some even set up a JustGiving page to fund his rumoured £1.2 million compensation fee. During his 16-month tenure, Clement showed rare glimpses of promise, particularly in Europe, where Rangers secured automatic qualification for the Europa League round of 16. Yet, he struggled to translate those performances into domestic success, leaving the club 13 points adrift of league leaders Celtic. Attention now turns to his long-term successor, with former Everton boss Sean Dyche, ex-Rangers title-winning manager Steven Gerrard, club legend Barry Ferguson, and former Light Blues midfielder Gennaro Gattuso all linked. Ferguson has been announced by the club to manage until the end of the season. VAR controversy mars heroic Hibs performance The heat on VAR grows with Brendan Rodgers’ latest comments following Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernian. An equaliser for Celtic was ruled out in the second half after the VAR overruled the on-field officials. Their decision was that Alistair Johnston crossed the ball after it was out of play, with the linesman originally calling it in. Regarding the controversy, Rodgers told BBC Sport: “I was very disappointed we didn’t get that, especially when the linesman didn’t think it was out. He probably has the best view. “I don’t know how you can tell the ball is definitely out from an image from the 18-yard line. We need to see evidence the ball was out. If you don’t have that, you’re having a guess.” However, the debate surrounding the decision has unfairly overshadowed Hibernian’s outstanding and fully deserved performance. They fought with grit and determination to withstand Celtic’s attacks while capitalising on a fatigued Hoops defence in transition. A defining moment came when Rocky Bushiri heroically cleared the ball off the goal line following a surging run from Jota, sparking a deafening roar from the home crowd. By the final whistle, as Sunshine on Leith echoed around Easter Road, there could be no denying that Hibs had earned their moment of celebration. No new manager bounce for the ‘Well One could forgive the neutral fan who gave little thought to this fixture last weekend. However, there has been renewed interest following the appointment of Michael Wimmer as Motherwell’s manager. The German spoke about bringing “intensity, energy, and passion” to proceedings. Still, there was little evidence of this in the first half of a 1-0 defeat to Dundee United. Both sides came into the game in poor form, but the Tangerines struck first and stopped the Lanarkshire side from having a new manager bounce. The visitors did react positively in the second half but lacked the clinical edge to get back into the match. On the second-half performance, Wimmer told BBC Sport: “We can work with the second half. It was really good. It was aggressive, we had opportunities, and we played forward. That’s what we want to see.” The Steelmen are now on their joint longest losing streak in ten years and worryingly looking over their shoulders at the teams behind them in the table. Kabangu injection saves Hearts Nine years ago, the Perth club witnessed a bejewelled Elton John in a stellar concert at McDiarmid Park, singing hits such as Crocodile Rock and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This weekend, they saw another Elton dazzle before their eyes. Elton Kabangu, the January recruit from Hearts. The Belgian scored twice in a 2-1 away victory to see Hearts look towards the top six and European places. Putting aside last week’s disappointing home result to Rangers, where he failed to take his chances, he was a thorn in the Saints’ side throughout and put away two clinical finishes to take his toll up to six goals from seven games. Hearts boss Neil Crichtley told BBC Sport about his performance: “I’m delighted for Elton Kabangu to get two goals after his disappointment last week. He’s such a great personality to have at the training ground every day. I thought he was fantastic again.” The Saints are running out of games to turn things around, languishing six points adrift at the bottom of the table. Their manager, Simo Valakari, joined the club in October to do just that. With each passing game, that is looking increasingly less likely, and preparations for the Championship may lie ahead. Battle for top six Ross County is on an excellent run of form, with five wins from their last 9. Their only two defeats from that run came against the two Glasgow giants. They came from behind this weekend to beat Dundee 3-1. On the performance, Cowie told BBC Sport: “I was most pleased with how we responded to going behind, we were not spooked by it and deservedly got back in the game at 1-1. “We came out the traps flying after half-time and scored two goals. A fantastic win, and it keeps the momentum going.” The man from Inverness has given the Dingwall fans hope, as the club is only two points off the

February 24, 2025

Drama, Decisions & Deciders: Scottish Football Managers in the Spotlight!

With a crucial Champions League showdown looming, Brendan Rodgers has issued a rallying cry to his Celtic squad—go bold or go home! The Hoops boss is urging his side to seize the moment in Germany, where they must overturn a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich to keep their European dream alive. Meanwhile, Bayern’s own Vincent Kompany is playing it cool, suggesting that his side’s 0-0 draw with Bayer Leverkusen was the perfect defensive test ahead of Celtic’s visit. But could Jota shake things up? The Portuguese winger has surely staked his claim for a starting spot after a dazzling performance in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Dundee United. Speaking of Dundee United, Jim Goodwin insists that Will Ferry and Kevin Holt were merely rested against Celtic and should be back in action next week. Nothing to see here, folks—just a precaution! Over at Rangers, Philippe Clement is facing the heat. His side’s shock Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park has left fans fuming, and his decision to hook Bailey Rice at half-time didn’t go unnoticed. The 18-year-old was dropped for failing to “break the lines” with his passing, but Clement insists he still believes in the youngster. With pressure mounting, Clement is standing firm, refusing to walk away from what he calls the “toughest period” of his career. Elsewhere in Scottish football, Hibs’ new shot-stopper Jordan Smith has been left “blown away” by the standard of the game, while Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin has showered praise on the travelling Dons support after their gritty win at Dundee. And let’s not forget the SWPL drama—Glasgow City’s Leanne Ross has been grilling refereeing chief Willie Collum over some questionable decisions. With all these talking points, Scottish football is delivering non-stop drama on and off the pitch!

February 16, 2025

St Mirren and Hibernian Battle to Hard-Fought Draw in Entertaining Stalemate

Alasana Manneh endured a nightmare start to his Hibernian career, receiving a red card just 13 minutes after coming on, as David Gray’s side extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a goalless draw against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership. The Gambian midfielder, a product of Barcelona’s famed youth academy, entered the pitch in the 70th minute but was booked almost immediately for a trip. His debut went from bad to worse when another reckless challenge saw him pick up a second yellow. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Hibs held firm to secure a point, though they missed the opportunity to climb to fourth. Meanwhile, St Mirren moved up to sixth, edging ahead of Kilmarnock on goal difference. Both teams had opportunities, but goalkeepers Zach Hemming and Jordan Smith pulled off crucial second-half saves to ensure the match remained goalless. Hibs thought they had a penalty when referee Ross Hardie pointed to the spot for a handball against Killian Phillips. However, a review overturned the decision, with replays clearly showing the ball had struck the midfielder’s face instead. MORE TO COME…

February 16, 2025

Dundee United Demands VAR Overhaul, Pulls Out of Key Incident Review

Dundee United has recently taken a strong stance on VAR practices, arguing that the system’s application is marred by inconsistent rule interpretations. In a significant move, the club announced its decision to withdraw from the Scottish FA’s Key Match Incident (KMI) panel, expressing deep concerns about the panel’s intended purpose and overall impact. Background on the Review Panel The Scottish FA launched the KMI panel in September of last year as a five-member group comprised of club representatives, ex-referees, former players, and coaches. The panel is tasked with examining critical incidents from the previous week’s SPFL Premiership games and other competitions where VAR is in use. Its role is to assess and vote on whether both the on-field decisions and any VAR interventions were correct. A Catalyst for Change Dundee United’s decision comes on the heels of a controversial 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock. In that match, Marley Watkins’ goal – which clinched the win for Kilmarnock – was allowed to stand after a VAR check, despite significant questions regarding its legitimacy. This incident appears to have been the tipping point for United. In an official statement, the club explained: “Dundee United FC has formally notified the Scottish FA that we are withdrawing our representation from the KMI panel. This decision is the result of extensive discussions throughout the season with the Refereeing Department. We have raised serious concerns about the panel’s purpose, effectiveness, and overall impact on the game. We feel that the panel’s outcomes are not aligned with the feedback provided to the Scottish FA.” The statement went on to criticise instances where on-field decisions, once validated by both VAR and the Refereeing Department, were later contradicted by the panel. According to Dundee United, many of the panel members lack sufficient expertise in the laws of the game, which has contributed to what the club sees as a flawed review process. Media and External Pressures The club also highlighted how some of the panel’s decisions have been magnified by media reports, adding undue pressure on match officials. This, they argue, could have repercussions for future refereeing decisions and undermine the confidence in the system. Broader Implications for VAR Beyond the immediate concerns with the KMI panel, Dundee United has called for a comprehensive review of VAR practices in Scottish football. The club noted that inconsistent interpretations of the laws of the game by VAR have frustrated several Premiership clubs. In their view, while errors are an unavoidable part of football, the heightened scrutiny brought about by VAR has made refereeing decisions a highly public issue. “We are committed to ensuring that our club is treated fairly at all times. At the same time, we want to contribute to a broader improvement in Scottish football. We are reaching out to both the Scottish FA and the SPFL to advocate for a more robust VAR protocol and review process. This is essential for protecting our match officials and preserving the integrity of the game.” Additional Reactions In a related development, St Mirren recently voiced its displeasure following a VAR decision that denied them a penalty in a match against St Johnstone. The club’s statement underlined their ongoing concerns with recent officiating errors, calling on the Scottish FA to address these issues promptly. Participation in the KMI panel is voluntary for clubs, with an external expert advising the panel on the laws of the game. Despite these measures, Dundee United’s recent actions underline the growing discontent within Scottish football regarding the current VAR framework. The Scottish FA is reportedly exploring further enhancements to the VAR system, as it has been actively evolving the protocol since its introduction in October 2022. Sky Sports News has reached out to the Scottish FA for further comment on the matter.

February 6, 2025

Your club’s January window rated

Aberdeen In: Alfie Dorrington (Tottenham Hotspur, loan), Oday Dabbagh (Charleroi, loan), Alexander Jensen (Brommapojkarna, undisclosed), Mats Knoester (Ferencvaros, undisclosed), Jeppe Okkels (Prestond North End, loan), Kristers Tobers (Grasshopper Zurich, undisclosed) Out: Alfie Bavidge (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, loan), Duk (Luganes, undisclosed), Angus MacDonald (free), James McGarry (Athens Kallithea, loan), Alfie Stewart (Inverness Calidonian Thistle, loan), Rodrigo Vitols (Keith, loan) Jimmy Thelin has taken an unorthodox approach to fixing his side’s back line, by getting an entirely new one. The arrival of defenders Tobers, Jensen, Knoester and Dorrington show where the manager thinks the epicentre of side’s seismic collapse originates. Papa Gueye’s return from injury is a welcome boost but adding a couple of supporting forwards in Dabbagh and Okkels, a player Thelin knows from his time at Elfsborg, will help add some verve to a stale attack. Moves made all the more important by the biggest loss of their windown with Duk leaving for La Liga side Leganes. Overall, a proactive approach to solving the side’s woes despite the loss of Duk. Fans will have to hope the current players’ fragile confidence is not contagious. B- Celtic In: Jota (Rennes, undisclosed), Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace, loan) Out: Alexandro Bernabei (Internacional, undisclosed), Kyogo Furuhashi (Rennes, undisclosed), Aiden Haddow (Heart of Midlothian), Odin Holm (Los Angeles, loan), Luis Palma (Olympiakos, loan), Alex Valle (Barcelona, loan ended), Stephen Welsh (Mechelen, loan) Peter Lawwell might just be the happiest man in Scottish football, the Celtic CEO has managed to recoup Jota and Kieran Tierney (pre-contract for summer signed) for less than a fifth of what they sold them for. Less pleased perhaps will be the fans themselves who have seen their beloved Kyogo depart for France and a limited window spend given the club’s burgeoning purse. However, on top of the savings and scoring on his return, Jota being five years younger than the Japanese forward is a good bit of future planning. We know how ambitious he is to move the club forward, so Rodgers will be frustrated to that they were pipped to another former player of his in Kelechi Iheanacho, who joined Middlesborough on loan instead. More worrying perhaps is that the departures of Palma and Valle will harm the squad’s depth but Jeffrey Shlupp’s ability to play in almost every position should negate that to some extent. Here’s to hoping that in going out on loan, Welsh and Holm do not join another lost generation of youngsters at the club. B+ Dundee In: Aaron Donnelly (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), Cesar Garza (Monterrey, loan), Victor Lopez (Queretaro, loan), Imari Samuels (Brighton & Hove Albion) Out: Sammy Braybrooke (Leicester City, loan ended) Sean Kelly, Curtis Main (Ayr United, free), Marley Sweenie-Rowe (Forfar Athletic, loan), Julian Vetro (Burnley, loan ended) An odd windown for the Dee’s. On the one hand the permanently returning Donnelly and loanee Garza have looked like class additions since arriving with Samuels and Lopez still bedding in. On the other, it fails to stem one of the major issues this side faced in the winter, squad depth. When the side beat Rangers, Tony Docherty made the point that the side had won despite being down to bare bones during the winter. However, letting five players leave the club seems like an odd way of dealing with the issue. Braybrooke and Vetro no doubt left because of a lack of game time but Docherty is left with having to see this squad through the next few months which seems just as likely to make the top six as it does to get relegated. D Dundee United In: Allan Campbell (Luton, undisclosed), Lewis Fiorini (Stockport County, loan), Ruari Paton (Port Vale, loan) Out: Zak Cameron (Cowdenbeath, loan), Adam Carnwath (Alloa Athletic, loan), Scott Constable (Stirling Albion, loan), Charlie Dewar (Alloa Athletic, loan), Alan Domeracki (Norwich City, undisclosed), Lewis Haldane (East Craigie, loan), Ollie Simpson (Jeanfield Swifts, loan), Owen Stirton (Montrose, loan), Miller Thomson (Falkirk, loan), Meshack Ubochioma (Livingston, loan) Evolution not revolution seems to have been the motto in the United front office. If you had told those involved at the club that they could finish in top half in their first season since promotion they would have bitten your hand off. Now they face the very possibility of going for the entire arm as third looks a very real possibility and have made some neat additions to give themselves the best chance of doing so. One time Scotland international Campbell brings quality in midfield as Fiorini arrives looking to come good on the potential that saw him graduate from Manchester City’s academy. Paton took the hard route to Dundee. Having been released by Hibs, the striker has worked his way up from the Lowland League to the Prem playing in every division in between before struggling in League 2 with Port Vale. Jim Goodwin will hope he can ease the goalscoring burden carried by Sam Dalby, who has netted over a third of his side’s total. Plenty of outgoings as United’s fledglings look to find their wings on loan across Scotland. Most notably Miller Thomson, the youngster will hope to build on his early season promise with title chasing Falkirk. C- Hearts of Midlothian In: Aiden Haddow (Celtic), Elton Kabangu (Union Saint-Gilloise, loan),Sander Kartum (Brann), Jamie McCart (Rotherdam United, undisclosed), Harry Milne (Partick Thistle, undisclosed), Michael Steinwender (Varnamo, undisclosed) Out: Malachi Boateng (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed), Liam Boyce (Derry City, undisclosed), Daniel Oyegoke (Hellas Verona, undisclosed), Kyle Rowles (DC United, undisclosed), Andres Salazar (Atletico Nacional, loan ended), Callum Sandilands (Montrose, loan), Kai Smutek (Bonnyrigg Rose, loan), Macauley Tait (Livingston, loan) The outcome of Hearts’s business in this window and the next could have serious ramifications for Scottish football. It remains early days of the partnership with Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s company Jamestown Analytics but with loanee Kabangu from partner club USG already scoring five goals in four games, it would appear as though the two could be on the cusp of making signings from abroad a fine art. Of course it remains

February 4, 2025

St Mirren

Copyright © 2024 SNN Sports. All Rights Reserved.