Hearts served up a pulsating finale at Tannadice, while Rangers faltered with an unchanged side at home to Dundee. Elsewhere, concerns mounted for the goalless Aberdeen and St Mirren, Livingston claimed promotion bragging rights, and Kilmarnock fought back to frustrate Hibs.
While BBC Sportscene marked its 50th birthday with a special edition on Saturday — and a welcome return for presenter Dougie Donnelly — they brought the weekend’s action to the small screen. But while they show it, here’s our take on the big talking points from Matchday 2 of the 2025/26 SPFL season.
Set-Piece Heaven: Findlay and Grant Lead the Way
Stuart Findlay. Take a bow. Fresh from scoring the second against Aberdeen last week, he delivered again. This time, in dramatic fashion, heading a last-minute winner at Tannadice to keep Hearts top. Not to mention his part in the other goals, he won the penalty for Lawrence Shankland and nodded in the equaliser too.
His heroics also spared Zander Clark’s blushes after mistakes in both Dundee United goals, prompting the ‘keeper to sprint the length of the pitch at full-time to celebrate with his saviour. Cheers, Stu.
The Jambos began with Alan Forrest at right wing-back but struggled to make inroads down that side — a sharp contrast to the hosts’ stand-in wing-back, Ivan Dolček, who struck twice. Most of Hearts’ threat came down the left, where Harry Milne thrived in the final third, linking superbly with the attack. James Penrice, who?
It will concern Dundee United that all three goals they conceded came from set pieces, with former staff member Ross Grant — now Hearts’ set-piece coach — returning to haunt them. Squad depth at wing-back is also an issue, mirroring Hearts’ problems in that area, though Dolček impressed in his stint on the right.
Derek McInnes again showed his tactical acumen, reshaping his side at half-time to address their problems on the right. Moving Michael Steinwinder to right-back and Alexandros Kyziridis to right midfield helped nullify the threat of Dolček. However, a move for a new right-back and a goalkeeper after Clark’s recent woes could also be on the cards.
United is still in the early stages of rebuilding after a busy summer. Still, signs of promise are already there with Dolček and marquee signing Amar Fateh returning from injury. Their immediate focus is on Europe, with a credible away result against Rapid Vienna setting up a big night at Tannadice. Victory would move them closer to the group stage and the potential £5m windfall it brings. With momentum building over the past two years, Jim Goodwin is now discussing a new contract. Rejoice!
As for Hearts, Tony Bloom’s bold prediction of a title challenge within the next decade might be closer than many think…
Dee-Light at Ibrox as Dundee Rattle Rangers
For the first time in 36 years, Rangers have opened a league season without a win in either of their first two games, and Russell Martin is still waiting for his first Premiership victory as head coach.
Russell Martin admitted last week his side didn’t deserve a point — and, arguably, they didn’t here either, despite James Tavernier’s late penalty salvaging one. Dundee might have been cruelly denied had Cyriel Dessers’ stoppage-time strike stood, but the offside flag spared them.
The Glasgow side fielded an unchanged eleven from their resounding 3-0 win midweek against Viktoria Plzeň. With hindsight, Martin should have made changes, as his team lacked intensity.
Rangers are a work in progress, with new owners, a new boss, new signings, and a few out. Yet, in Glasgow, patience is in short supply, and the fans are already restless. This was evident with the booing throughout the match, particularly of second-half substitutions Nico Raskin and Kieran Dowell.
Despite Rangers’ lethargy, Dundee deserves full credit for exploiting it. Energetic and brave, they were unrecognisable from their limp League Cup displays. Steven Pressley geed up his team for this tie, particularly Luke Graham’s standout defensive performance. And special mention goes to Ryan Astley, whose terrific second-half header gave Dundee the lead and had them on the brink of a marquee win for Pressley, if not for Captain Tav’s intervention from the penalty spot.
Nasser Djiga’s afternoon also ended on a sour note, the defender seeing red for bringing down Fin Robertson as the last man just minutes after Astley’s opener. No appealing that one.
Dons & Buddies Draw Blanks
Aberdeen and St Mirren have failed to score in their opening two games of the season, though each has a different take on their final-third troubles.
The Saints remain confident the goals will come and are only likely to enter the market if the price is right (think free transfers and loans). Context matters, having already travelled to Celtic Park and faced a rejuvenated Motherwell. They looked threatening in spells but perhaps missing pace in attack, a Toyosi Olusanya-type figure since his move to the USA in April.
Aberdeen, meanwhile, have also endured a tough start, opening away to ‘title-chasing’ Hearts and last season’s champions Celtic. But they have looked worryingly toothless, with their only real threat to Kasper Schmeichel a long-range strike from Adil Aouchiche and a miscommunication between Shin Yamada and the veteran keeper.
Their summer signing, Yusini Yengi, has endured a difficult start. He squandered a gilt-edged chance at Tynecastle and was underwhelming against the Hoops’ defence. At times on Sunday, he looked an isolated figure before being hooked on 55 minutes. Both captain Nicky Devlin and manager Jimmy Thelin have backed the Australian to come good, insisting he needs time and more attacking support from those around him.
Yengi’s woes haven’t stopped the Pittodrie side from entering the market. They have been linked with Swedish winger Kenan Bilalovic for a six-figure fee and young AC Milan striker Marko Lazetic on a free transfer, albeit with a hefty sell-on clause attached.
With Europa League qualifiers looming and Friday’s European signing deadline fast approaching, Aberdeen’s need for firepower is urgent.
Lions Roar Again Over Fellow Promoted Side
They say possession is nine-tenths of the law. One side had the ball on Saturday, and the other had the points. Case closed. Falkirk failed to make their dominance count, passing up several chances in the game’s early moments. The Championship champions must be tired of playing their promoted pals, having lost three of their four meetings last season in the second tier.
John McGlynn’s loyalty to the players who earned promotion deserves credit, yet despite dominating possession and starting brightly, they faded once they fell behind. Whether or not leaning on veterans Brian Graham and Scott Arfield to rescue results from the bench is a good plan remains to be seen. They showed good spirit in last week’s draw with the Tangerines and will need plenty more of it to stay up.
David Martindale’s men have made the most of a favourable start, taking four points from their opening two games. Unlike Falkirk, Livi appears to have recruited well, with Graham Carey, Mo Sylla, and Shane Blaney all making early impressions.
Even so, it was familiar faces who made the breakthrough. Robbie Muirhead and Scott Pittman — both on target in last week’s respectable draw with Kilmarnock, and who netted 13 and 5 goals respectively in the Championship last season — combined for the opener, with Pittman tapping in from close range. For Livi to stay up, that partnership will need to keep delivering.
Killie Hit Back to Hold Hibs
You have to look back six years to find the last time Kilmarnock last got a result in Leith—funnily enough, another 2-2 draw. Martin Boyle was the only player from that day involved on Saturday, but the Australian, fresh from a midweek double in Belgrade, couldn’t inspire Hibs to all three points after coming on in the second half. Chasing European spots this season, Hibs will be frustrated to have let Killie back into the game before half-time and, ultimately, the game.
Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell will be happy his men battled back from two goals down to earn a point, especially after seeing his side throw away a two-goal lead against Livingston last week. Easter Road had been a happy hunting ground for his Motherwell team last season, a 2-1 victory during Hibs’ tumultuous run. And it continues to be after goals, either side of the break, from Liam Polworth and Ben Brennan secured the spoils.
Next week, we will take a break as Premiership teams head into League Cup action.
