Talking Points: The Scottish Premiership
WHAT TO DRAW FROM A (MOSTLY) CHAOTIC WEEKEND
SHARED POINTS MEANS ALL TO PLAY FOR
Rangers 3 Celtic 3
Both managers will have been wondering what exactly happened there, albeit for different reasons. Philippe Clement saw the occasion get to his players in the first half as they looked a mess, conceding after 21 seconds before giving away a penalty to go into the dressing room two down. Celtic had looked like a side that had won 11 of the past 12 league titles as Reo Hatate showed just how much he had been missed during his absence with injury.
However as time wore on in the second half, Celtic’s composure began to dissipate as they put in rash challenges and misplaced balls. Rangers took full advantage of the chaos, with captain James Tavernier scoring yet another goal from the spot to make amends for his part in the opener before Abdallah Sima put away a tidy equaliser. Yet this time Celtic were masters of chaos as Adam Idah put recent struggles behind him to help the Bhoys regain the lead within a minute.
Three minutes into added time, Rabbi Matondo curled in an absolute belter as the sides left Ibrox with a point each. Perhaps it will be Clement who comes away the happier of the two gaffers, his men showed a fortitude to level the game on two occasions as they are now only one point behind Celtic but have a game in hand. Rodgers will believe his side should have done better and been able to steady the ship or even stretched their lead had it not been for a string of inspired saves by Jack Butland, under the watch of a certain Gareth Southgate in the stands.
The Gers have a chance to regain top spot against Dundee on Wednesday but there is a good chance that the final Old Firm of the season in a few weeks will decide the race.
DUNDEE BOTTLE IT, AGAIN
Dundee 2 Motherwell 3
Despite not wanting the match to go ahead, Motherwell will have been pretty happy that it did in the end. Storm Kathleen had left the pitch in a pretty poor state but before kick-off, the officials decided it was in a good enough state to press on.
With Hibs falling at home, Dundee had to chance to give themselves a four point gap over the Edinburgh side and cement a place in the top 6. However they gave up yet another lead as Motherwell continued to press on with their ambitions for a top-half finish. That is now 22 points lost from a lead for The Dee. They will need to shore up the mental side of their game if they are to improve ahead of the split.
Stuart Kettlewell meanwhile will be pleased with the fight his side showed. Theo Bair looked like a contender for signing of the season as he fired in his 13th of the campaign. There will be concerns about Liam Kelly’s role in the two goals conceded and the manager will expect better from a Scotland international.
Despite going down in the end, Dundee who looked the better side as they raced ahead with a 2-0 lead. The first, courtesy of an Amadou Bakayoko flick-on to Jordan Mcgee who headed past a helpless Kelly. Paul McGowan then scored a fantastic goal straight from a corner as Kelly again could only flap at the ball as it flew past him. However Bair and Blair Spittal began turning it on, combining well as the pressure finally caused Joe Shaughnessy to give away a penalty with a handball in the box.
Bair had the 6 yarder saved but Georgie Gent came in to score off the rebound. The Canadian would make further amends with a fantastic goal of his own two minutes later as he shrugged off defenders with some deft footwork to equalise. It was new signing Moses Ebiye who would be the hero as he put away a tidy cross with an excellent volley.
JAMBOS STEP UP IN SHANKLAND’S ABSENCE
St Mirren 1 Heart of Midlothian 2
Unavailable due to injury, Hearts might have worried that Lawrence Shankland’s 20 Premiership goals would go amiss. However, the side dealt with his loss and saw off a defiant St Mirren. Kenneth Vargas picked up the mantle and earned his side a penalty but his poor finish did show the gulf that remains between himself and the Scot. Regardless Steven Naismith will be pleased to come away with 3 points from a stadium that is notoriously difficult to play in.
St Mirren meanwhile continued to impress under Stephen Robinson. The Northern Irishman has worked tirelessly to turn Paisley into a fortress and they almost thwarted the third best side in the league. They are a team to fear for the other sides and will now be aiming to kick on and aim for the European places in the following seasons. Despite some confused defending at times, Toyosi Olysanya looked the real deal as he took the ball from inside his own half before out-muscling Dexter Lembikisa and Aiden Denholm as he put away a tidy finish in what proved to be only a consolation goal.
CLOCK IS TICKING FOR MONTGOMERY
Hibernian 1 St Johnstone 2
With a second loss in a row, Nick Montgomery’s position as manager looks as under threat as it had been during an eight game winless run between December and February. Any goodwill from their run of six without a loss seems to wearing off fast as they lost to St Johnstone side they expected to beat at home. The Hibees continue to be a force in attack with Myziane Moalida and Emiliano Marcondes impressing yet again. Unfortunately the defensive frailty that has beset them for the past few seasons continues to rear its head. With the quality of the players at his disposal, failure to make the top 6 could be the death knell for the Englishman.
Despite inconsistent results, former Scotland manager Craig Leven continues to make the most of the one of the weaker squads in the league. This was a much needed win as they gave themselves a four point cushion ahead of Ross County and the relegation play-off spot. It is hardly guns blazing attacking football, having scored only 24 goals in 32 games but if it keeps them up the fans will take it.
His side managed to exploit the space behind Hibernian’s high line on a few occasions but their efforts were finally rewarded as Adama Sidibeh made a brilliant run to take the lead. After losing it in just seven minutes, Tony Gallacher was the decider late on to score his first ever career goal at the age of 24.
ELSEWHERE
Kyle Vassell proved to be the difference yet again as Kilmarnock beat Ross County 1-0. They inch closer to European football next season as County struggle to escape the bottom two.
Aberdeen and Livingston meanwhile played out a drab 0-0 draw as Livi look set for the drop and the Dons lick their wounds following a difficult season.
