Talking Points from Scottish Football

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

WATT AND SAMMON NEED GOALS

It’s been a positive start for both Hearts and the strike duo of Tony Watt and Conor Sammon. The Jambos gave Celtic their toughest test yet – at least in domestic competition – and came within ten minutes of holding the champions elect. Three successive victories, before defeat at St Johnstone, then put them second in the table. Watt and Sammon, meanwhile, combined to form a formidable partnership.

The former needs to succeed more than the latter. Watt has gained a reputation for having attitude problems, travelling from one club to the next, never fulfilling his potential. The fact he’s been at Airdrieonians, Celtic, Lierse, Standard Liege, Charlton Athletic, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, and now Hearts since debuting in 2010 – eight clubs in six years – highlights that he’s never settled at a club, yet obviously has something about him that managers are willing to take a risk. He’s Scotland’s Mario Balotelli.

Sammon, on the other hand, is a more experienced hand. The 29-year-old, though, should be a warning sign to Watt. He too travelled across the border, young and promising, and returned having failed to match that potential – he notched just three more goals in 167 games in England than his 17 at Kilmarnock. Yet Sammon is also a good professional. His attitude and work-rate on the pitch should be an example for Watt. It helps that both have settled at Tynecastle.

Watt looks like creating something every time he gets on the ball. He possesses that bit of spark that Sammon lacks; the ability to create something from nothing, whether it be a dazzling run past a defender, or a little pass that opens up a back-line. Sammon is a more physical threat. He bullies the opposition defence, using his imposing frame, and tends to find more success linking-up attacks than creating chances for himself. The one thing, despite acclimatising quickly, that both lack, however, is goals. After a combined 13 appearances, the duo have scored just one goal each. Hearts’ goalless draw against Ross County demonstrated why that’s the case.

Sammon and Watt had innumerable opportunities to strike. The duo latched onto several counter-attacks, coming up against a weakened and disorganised defence, and yet seemed to over-complicate the attack each time. One would pass to the other – neither could be accused of being selfish. Scott Fox did a commendable job making it a tough afternoon for the pair. The County goalkeeper proved equal to their best attempts and deserved his clean sheet. It was a performance he’ll be proud of. And, yet, Watt and Sammon should’ve done more. It can’t become a recurring theme.

 

FAMILIAR PROBLEMS FOR PARTICK

I’ll admit that I had high hopes for Partick Thistle at the beginning of the season. Could the Jags, buoyed by the return of Chris Erskine, push for the top six? The answer appears to be: no. After six games – the postponed game against Celtic is unlikely to yield any points – Thistle have five points, three of those gathered from the first game of the campaign.

A 2-0 defeat of a disorganised Inverness CT seemed to confirm my suspicions. The midfield looked both creative and solid in equal measure, the defence had pace and mobility, if lacking in a bit of experience, and the lack of a consistent striker would be made up for by the contributions of Erskine and co. That optimism soon waned. Stuart Bannigan suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for at least six months. Three successive defeats, although against the current second, third, and fourth place teams, sunk expectations, before a disappointing draw at Kilmarnock – a game that Killie looked the better in – sent them to the bottom of the table. Thistle’s weaknesses have been exposed. And they all look so familiar.

Goals are the number one problem. Thistle have conceded just nine goals, better than any side in the bottom six – including Rangers – and the same as fifth place Motherwell. Although the defence looks suspect at best – the Liam Lindsay/Danny Devine partnership lacks experience and consistency over 90 minutes – it’s good enough to deserve a mid-table position. It’s a lack of fire-power that is denying them. Six games in and neither Kris Doolan nor Adebayo Azeez have scored a goal. Azeez looks like another strong but technically weak striker, a Matthias Pogba 2.0, and Doolan is just not consistent enough to warrant a starting berth week-after-week. Liam Lindsay is the club’s second highest scorer. If not for the brilliant form of Erskine, who appears to be loving his football again, the team would be in dire straits. It’s something Alan Archibald needs to address soon. A relegation battle could be the result if he doesn’t.

 

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

ST MIRREN DEFENCE NEEDS FIXING

Alex Rae’s dismissal did not come as a shock. Rae did an excellent job after Ian Murray’s departure, steering the club to safety, albeit by unattractive means. The question was: Could he build on that? It looked like he’d done positive business over the summer. However, it became clear that his business was a little too lopsided.

Four strikers arrived in the form of David Clarkson, John Sutton, Ryan Hardie, and Lawrence Shankland. The Aberdeen loanee was a welcome returnee after impressing the previous season. Hardie looked like a coup, as he had proven to be a dangerous striker while on loan at Raith. And although Sutton’s career had stagnated at St Johnstone, his experience and close-range finishing could be great attributes in the Championship. But no one came in to replace Perth bound right-back Keith Watson. Nor did anyone come in to fill the Jim Goodwin shaped void in front of the defence. Rae even felt confident enough to let centre-half Ben Gordon depart on loan to Alloa. This imbalance proved to be his undoing.

It’s an issue his replacement, whoever that may be, needs to address straight away. The Saints need more options. They also need a defender in his prime. Against Dunfermline, St Mirren lined-up with Gary MacKenzie and Gary Irvine, both in their early 30s, alongside Jack Baird and Jason Naismith, the former a teenager, the latter just 22. Substitute Andy Webster, whose time appears to be up, did nothing to rectify this imbalance. The Buddies are in dire need of a centre-half in his mid-20s; someone who has both experience and can turn quicker than an 18-wheeler. There also needs to be a change in system.

Rae stubbornly clung on to his 4-4-2 despite the poor results it yielded. It didn’t help that the Saints had just two central midfielders to choose from: Kyle Hutton and Stephen Mallan – Rocco Quinn returned a week too late to help Rae. A 4-4-2, as Leicester fans can attest, relies on an energetic, mobile, and hard-working midfield; one that can perform both defensive and attacking duties. Hutton and Mallan weren’t up to the task. Hutton, quite simply, is not good enough. Mallan, meanwhile, is an attacker at heart. He longs to venture forward and often lacks the desire to get back and do the dirty work. Rae’s summer dealings forced him into this predicament. He needed a three-man midfield to help stabilise the defence, yet that would’ve meant sacrificing a striker. Rae dug himself into a hole.

 

SCOTTISH LEAGUE ONE

LIVI DEFENCE NEEDS A REJIG

The weekend’s surprising result in League One came at Bayview, where three goals in 26 minutes sunk Livingston. Jamie Insall, continuing his fine form in his second loan stint at East Fife, grabbed a brace, while Chris Kane, regarded as a failure at relegated Cowdenbeath last season, scored a howitzer. The considerable travelling support booed off their team at half-time, shocked at the lacklustre performance, but got behind them as it appeared a second-half comeback could be on the cards. Josh Mullin’s finish came as a result of a period of dominance for Livi. The Fifers sunk further and further into their own half, desperate long balls up to an isolated Insall becoming their only respite, as the visitors turned the screw. But East Fife held on. The threat subsided. The momentum began to even out. Although the game was out of reach for Livi, a couple of suspect red cards for Michael Miller and Alan Lithgow ended any hope of snatching a late point. However, David Hopkin must be questioning how Livi capitulated in those 26 minutes. All three goals could’ve been prevented.

The first came inside eight minutes, in part thanks to the aid of the East Neuk wind. Mark Hurst’s long ball cleared the entire Livi defence, landing ahead of the chasing Insall. Craig Halkett, the one Lions defender possessing an ounce of pace, watched the ball and failed to track the lurking East Fife striker. Insall let the ball take one bounce, before lofting it over the head of Liam Kelly, who found himself in No Man’s Land. Halkett should’ve been tracking the runner, but Kelly, who spent a spell on loan at Bayview last season, failed to make up his mind, and was caught in between. Halkett fumed.

It was a surprise lead for the Fifers, and one that was soon extended. Three minutes after celebrating Insall’s chip, Chris Kane added a second. Gary Naysmith’s free-kick found Kevin Smith on the edge of the box. His simple header fell to Kane, who swept the ball into the top right corner. The Livi defence sank deep as the free-kick came in and again focused on the ball rather than the man. Kane found himself in space around the spot. The afternoon was to get worse for Livi.

Smith’s long ball again cut out the Livi defence, lofting over the heads of Halkett and Alan Lithgow. However, the liability for the third East Fife goal wasn’t on them. A nervous-looking Kelly came out but didn’t jump to catch the ball; instead, he stood rooted to the ground, as Insall – who’s quite short in stature – leapt above him to head the ball. Insall, his back to goal, then spun on the spot and smashed the ball into the net. The goalkeeper shouted at the referee, claiming a foul, but he never tried to claim the ball. The furious travelling support lambasted Kelly, themselves not convinced by his desperate shouts.

One problem that Livi failed to address that afternoon was the amount of space between the defence and the goalkeeper. Three centre-backs should be able to handle a single striker. Yet Insall’s pace caused problems. Stranraer’s Cammy Belford was a key factor in keeping his side in the game when they visited Bayview, because he has the confidence in coming out to claim a ball and is comfortable using his feet. All too often that afternoon he had to speed off his line to help his defence and deny Insall. Kelly, however, looked devoid of confidence. After the third goal he remained rooted to his line, almost refusing to come out to handle crosses. That created a huge vacuum for Insall to operate in. East Fife – although not a long-ball outfit – quickly adapted to this. If David Hopkin doesn’t fix this, they won’t be the last.

Talking Points from Scottish Football

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

JAMES MADDISON HELPS ABERDEEN TICK

It’s not been a perfect start for the Dons. After a fruitful summer in the transfer market, some predicted Derek McInnes’ team to provide the strongest challenge to Celtic. But laboured performances and a pedestrian pace meant the Dons struggled to accumulate points as the Hoops demolished all their opponents – at least in domestic football. However, at Dens Park the travelling Dons supporters had the chance to see their latest loanee demonstrate his quite considerable talents.

James Maddison arrived on loan from Norwich City with a positive reputation as a creative outlet. Dundee found that reputation to be true. Maddison seemed to glide through the midfield at ease at times, drifting from one attacking situation to another. The Dundee defence found it difficult to rid the two-footed midfielder of the ball and he gave Aberdeen a real touch of class – and some much needed energy – in that area. He revealed all of those attributes in his goal.

A sudden pirouette left Tom Hateley stranded as Maddison turned back towards the Dees goal. He then circled the Dundee man and brought the ball across the edge of the D, moving the ball onto his left foot in the process. Having created space for himself, he picked out a spot in the bottom left corner of the net. A quick shot caught the Dundee defence out – and Scott Bain. The goalkeeper took too long falling to his side, letting the ball squirm underneath him. It was a classy goal. It should the first of many for the Aberdeen arrival.

 

MIDFIELD IS KEY FOR WARBURTON

It’s not been a fantastic couple of weeks for the man with the supposedly magic hat. How he must long for those heady days in the Championship, when things were much simpler, and Chris Sutton didn’t fire pot shots. The ex-Celtic striker confirmed that Rangers is not Brentford – at least he’s got a basic grasp of geography – and said Warburton isn’t up to the job. Ooft. Shots fired. Just six weeks ago Warburton looked untouchable, still on a high after the semi-final besting of the Hoops, the fans celebrating their long-awaited return to the Premiership. Then Hamilton put the first kink in his impenetrable armour.

Although the Gers claimed seven points from their first three games, the performances were nothing to celebrate. Rangers looked dismal. The midfield, in particular, appeared disjointed and bereft of pace, something there’d been an abundance of the season prior. Greg Kiltie highlighted that as Kilmarnock held Rangers, rounding a static Joey Barton more than a couple of times. The former Burnley midfield arrived in Scotland boasting a credible reputation as one of the English Championship’s best players, but it seems his mouth has written cheques his tired legs can’t cash. Nico Krancjar, albeit much quieter, has also struggled. While no one doubts his technical skill, he’s too hesitant in possession and lacks the pace needed to compete at this level. Scottish football, for all its flaws, is quick. The days of Gary Harkins and Alexei Eremenko are coming to a close north of the border. With a well-publicised – and well-timed – falling out leading to a suspension for Barton, neither he nor Krancjar featured against Ross County at Ibrox on Saturday.

Warburton had great success last season in Andy Halliday and Jason Holt, and so it must’ve been a little slap in the face for the pair to be side-lined in favour of Barton and Krancjar. Saturday afternoon offered them, and Josh Windass, the opportunity to highlight their talents. While the result didn’t do much to ease the pressure on Warburton, the trio certainly looked a more dangerous combination than any midfield line-up Rangers had used in their other league outings. Windass, in particular, looks like he could be a good player at this level. The Gers created far more chances than the visitors, and, if not for some dogged last-ditch defending, should’ve won. It could be a turning point for Rangers.

 

 

 

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

AYR ARE GETTING POINTS ON THE BOARD

It appeared that Ayr United could be in for a rough season. The west coast side fell to Raith Rovers, Queen of the South, and Dundee United in successive weeks, conceding nine goals in the process. Any optimism gained by the arrival of Gary Harkins evaporated as the Honest Men suffered one humbling result after another. It could’ve been a long season for Ayr. But a couple of results can create a positive outlook, and victories over Greenock Morton and then Hibernian have done just that.

 

SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO

BERWICK COULD CHALLENGE FOR A PLAY-OFF SPOT

A quick glance at the League Two table offers no real surprises. Forfar are cruising at the top of the table, having claimed 18 points from their six games since dropping from League One; Clyde, after a strong summer recruitment drive, are leading the chasing pack; and Arbroath, under the experienced guidance of Dick Campbell, are also in the running. The one little surprise, however, is Berwick Rangers’ presence in the top four. But it shouldn’t be.

John Coughlin’s side ended the previous season in red-hot form; the Gers suffered just three defeats in their final 14 games of the campaign, claiming 27 points from those fixtures, and falling just short of reaching the play-offs. And, although the club lost top scorer Blair Henderson to stuttering Stirling Albion in the summer, Stephen Thomson, Jordan Sheerin, and Greg Hurst have stepped up to fill that void. I’ve been a fan of the latter for some time, having seen him feature for St Johnstone’s development side, and this loan has given him the chance to display his potential in a competitive environment. It was Thomson, though, whose goals sunk Cowdenbeath on Saturday.

It was a dreadfully dull affair; long ball enthusiasts would’ve had a field day at Central Park. The Blue Brazil’s hoof-ball tactics found stiff resistance in the form of Brian Martin – a behemoth of a defender. With Liam Fox resorting to using Hearts loanee Nikolay Todorov as a centre-half – he’s a striker – the host’s defence had a tougher afternoon keeping Berwick’s attacking talents quiet. Thomson made the most of his chances and put Fox’s team to the sword. Cowdenbeath fans, unsurprisingly, were departing long before the final whistle.

Next weekend the English outfit face a trip to Arbroath. The Lichties’ inexperienced defence should offer a different kind of test for Hurst and co, but if Berwick can claim another three points it would be a real boost to their hopes of finishing in the top four for the first time since 2013.

 

Talking Points from Scottish Football

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

RANGERS ARE YEARS FROM CHALLENGING CELTIC

Ten-in-a-row: it’s the distant dream which could become a reality for Celtic. It’s the achievement that both Old Firm clubs aim for. It’s the one that would separate them; a defining moment in their historic rivalry. It would be the most important domestic season in a lifetime. Nine is not enough. Jock Stein guided the Hoops to nine consecutive titles during his golden tenure, and David Murray’s millions built Rangers into an unstoppable juggernaut from the late-80s to the mid-90s, a period during which Gers matched that momentous accomplishment. But neither made it to ten. That remains the ‘Promised Land’. But Celtic might be on course to reach it.

The Hoops side that Mark Warburton’s outfit met on Saturday lunchtime was a far different proposition from the anxious and disjointed team that they defeated in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Brendan Rodgers has instilled a refreshed sense of confidence in the side – exemplified by the return to form of Scott Brown and James Forrest – and made some much needed acquisitions to complete Celtic’s team. Kolo Toure looks an assured presence in Celtic’s defence – although it’s not like Efe Ambrose set a high bar – and Scott Sinclair has helped stretch their threat. With Forrest and Sinclair supporting Leigh Griffiths or Moussa Dembele, Celtic are dangerous on all fronts. There are no clear flaws in this team. The same cannot be said for their rivals.

Rangers were lacklustre all over the pitch. Joe Garner continues to look like a waste of £1.5 million, the pedestrian Niko Krancjar couldn’t handle the pace of the game – he was hooked at half-time, and Joey Barton just can’t seem to recapture his best form. Celtic fans also had the pleasure of witnessing the stunningly inept debut performance of Phillipe Senderos. The former Arsenal centre-back spent the game looking second best – even falling on his backside as Moussa Dembele rounded him for his second – and made the senseless decision to commit a blatant handball despite being booked earlier in the game. Mark Warburton had already lost one centre-back, after Rob Kiernan sustained a knock while committing a foul. Rangers hadn’t looked this dismal since the play-off defeat to Motherwell. Any talk of a potential title bid was shushed at Parkhead.

Celtic’s win was so complete that it’s difficult to choose how high a figure Rangers will need to spend just to build a squad capable of challenging. And with the Hoops in the Champions League, and thus collecting all that added revenue, Celtic are miles ahead in terms of finances as well. It could be years before Gers are in a position to battle them for the Premiership. It might just be long enough for Celtic to celebrate ten-in-a-row.

 

IS THERE PRESSURE ON DEREK MCINNES?

Aberdeen’s title ambitions evaporated before the end of August. The Dons laboured in goalless – and dull – draws against St Johnstone and Hearts, and fell to a humbling 4-1 defeat at Parkhead which served as a firm reminder that things had changed at Celtic. While it looked like Derek McInnes had done excellent business in the summer – signing a solid centre-back and goalkeeper, and giving himself options in the three attacking positions – that has failed to translate into on-field success. The Dons aren’t clicking, and the pressure might be building on McInnes.

Aberdeen supporters might look at the recent form of Hearts and their bid to finish second and question their failure to build upon another good season. That’s the downfall of success. Derek McInnes transformed Aberdeen from a side that threatened to sink into anonymity – or at least the Championship – into a title-challenging outfit. For two consecutive seasons the Dons filled the Rangers-shaped void and challenged Celtic. Perhaps McInnes has been too successful. Maybe he’ll be punished for not living up to the expectations that he set.

 

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

FALKIRK MIDFIELD IS BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE

There was understandable concern among Falkirk fans at the beginning of the season. The Bairns had lost Blair Alston to St Johnstone and Will Vaulks to Rotherham United – arguably their two best players. Having come so close to reaching the Premiership – exhaustion coming into effect in a second leg thumping at the hands of Kilmarnock – there was the feeling that they may have missed their best chance of promotion.

One point from three games seemed to confirm those doubts. When a confidence-oozing Queen of the South bested them thanks to a Stephen Dobbie double, Falkirk fans prepared themselves for a season of mid-table mediocrity. However, back-to-back victories, including a 2-0 win over Raith at Stark’s Park, has renewed hope that Falkirk can challenge for the play-offs. The Bairns did an excellent job at stifling Raith and the keeping the attacking duo of Lewis Vaughan and Declan McManus quiet. Craig Sibbald put in a great performance and put through a delightful through ball for the first goal. This could be a big season for him.

 

SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO

INSALL COULD BE CRUCIAL TO EAST FIFE SURVIVAL

For once, Gary Naysmith didn’t have to spend the summer rebuilding his depleted squad. Promotion from League 2 had offered him respite from overhauling his team for a third straight summer, giving him the chance to bolster, rather than restructure. And it had been a positive start to East Fife’s League One campaign. A point against Albion Rovers and a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Peterhead put them in a good position, and although the club then suffered losses to both Alloa and Brechin, both of those sides are expected to challenge for the title and possess stronger squads than the Methil outfit. One thing, though, was clearly missing from their team: a League One class striker.

Of the 62 goals East Fife scored in their promotion campaign, 30 belonged to Nathan Austin and Jamie Insall. Both loans came to an end in the summer, leaving a void in Naysmith’s side. Paul McManus did a respectable job in the opening games, but he lacks the legs to lead a line as the lone striker, Kevin O’Hara, on loan from Falkirk, has yet to impress, and Chris Duggan, a recruit from Queen’s Park, has been plagued by injuries. Kevin Smith, meanwhile, is more of a left-sided winger than a striker at this stage. East Fife needed the pace and movement of Insall. The striker, though, had made it clear he didn’t seek a return to the club; he wanted to impress Neil Lennon at Hibs. However, the signings of Grant Holt and Brian Graham stunted that aspiration. On deadline day, he returned to Bayview.

His first league appearance back highlighted why East Fife had missed him. With Kevin Smith, Mark Lamont, Kyle Wilkie and Scott Robinson, who operated in a slighter more advanced position than usual, feeding balls in to Insall, he proved to be a constant source of frustration for the centre-back partnership of Steven Bell and Frank McKeown. He continually made blistering runs behind the defence, seeking to beat the offside trap – the one criticism of his performance would be that he was caught out too often. If not for the adventurous Cameron Belford rushing out to challenge Insall on a number of occasions, the score-line would’ve been even larger. Insall’s sheer pace and movement had made an immediate impact. A couple of goals – the second a nonchalant chip over Belford after another defence-splitting run – earned him a deserved Man of the Match nod. If that performance was an indicator of things to come, East Fife will be more than safe come the end of the campaign.

Talking Points from Scottish Football

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP

KRIS BOYD IS GOING TO BE CRUCIAL FOR KILLIE

It’s been a summer of upheaval at Rugby Park. One energised performance against a tired Falkirk separated Kilmarnock and the Championship, and Lee Clark is keen on avoiding being put in the same situation again. 15 of those involved in the previous campaign have departed; 14 fresh faces have arrived. It’s a giant risk. As Killie fans are discovering, not all of those signings are going to succeed, and Clark still has to find his preferred line-up and formation. It was also a risk introducing so much youth – the eldest of the 14 signings is just 22-years-old. There’s a complete lack of experience in the squad. It’s up to Jamie MacDonald, Stevie Smith and Gary Dicker to help guide this untested team. It’s also up to Kris Boyd.

It looked like the veteran striker’s best performances might’ve been behind him. It’s been a couple of seasons since Boyd last enjoyed a fruitful campaign; when he notched 22 goals in 36 appearances in 2013-14. He laboured during a torrid spell at Rangers, and then returned to Killie to little success. He’d lost that golden touch. He looked lethargic, off the pace, devoid of confidence, and, though he’d never been the most active attacker, he had that clinical finish. Without that there was little reason in him starting games. But in the tail end of last season he began to make more telling contributions, even grabbing the final goal in Killie’s second-leg evisceration of Falkirk. That small return to form has carried over the summer, and it could be more important than ever.

Against his former club he started ahead of three teenagers, spearheading an attack consisting of himself, Adam Frizzell, Dean Hawkshaw, and Greg Kiltie. A couple of decent chances went amiss before he punished a lax Rangers defence. Kiltie fed him as he ran between Clint Hill and Rob Kiernan. The duo let him find space, and he selected a spot in the bottom right corner to place his shot. A simple fist pump celebrated the goal – his 250^th in British football. Later in the game, as the Bears chased three points, he provided a different sort of threat. He found himself increasingly isolated and relied upon to hold up the ball. He did so, until his legs let him down. A deserved standing ovation greeted his substitution in the 93^rd minute.

If Kilmarnock are to survive, Kris Boyd will need to produce a lot more performances like that.

 

BROPHY CAN BE THE GOALSCORER ACCIES NEED

It was one of the memorable scenes of the 15-16 season: Eamonn Brophy speeding past Nir Bitton before placing a cool effort through the legs of Craig Gordon. Parkhead grumbled as he charged off in delirium. One cannot fault the 20-year-old striker for celebrating such a goal – it wasn’t his fault his team were 8-1 down at the time. The strike marked his first goal for the Accies since making his debut in 2013. Since then he’d spent a productive spell on loan at Queen’s Park and a less successful one at Dumbarton. But the question remained: would he be another prodigy who shone at development level but failed to make the grade? This is the perfect time to find out.

Hamilton are in desperate need of goals. A late surge saved them from the threat of relegation for the second season running, and it’s likely they’ll be facing a similar battle at the end of this campaign. Accies notched just 42 goals in 38 games – less than Dundee United. Their top scorer, Carlton Morris, celebrated on just eight occasions, and his loan spell came to an end in the summer. It means Martin Canning has turned to Alexandre D’Acol to lead the line, even though the Brazilian failed to open his account despite making 16 appearances in the red and white stripes. Although he offers a physical presence up front and can hold up the ball for the likes of Ali Crawford and Dougie Imrie, D’Acol lacks the technical skills of a predatory striker. He’s not going to grab ten – or maybe even five – goals. Brophy might.

The young striker looked sharp when he came on against Ross County. Three times he got on the end of chances and threatened to give Hamilton a comfortable lead. Unfortunately, all three times he rushed his shots. There is the potential to be a good striker, though. Brophy looks quick and dangerous running into space, which is good for a team that won’t enjoy a majority of possession and might need to hit on the counter. If he can just keep cool under pressure, he could be a big success for Hamilton.

 

SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

HIBS CAN CHANGE IT UP

A common criticism of Alan Stubbs during his tenure at Easter Road was his stubborn resistance to alter his tactics despite teams learning to counteract them. Hibs became predictable. The diamond midfield, the pass orientated build up, the lack of crosses – there were no surprises on match day, and no second options. Stubbs didn’t have a back-up plan. That’s an issue Neil Lennon has sought to address.

Hibs are ruthless at the moment. That’s something that’s not been said about a Hibs team for years. But Lennon has instilled a refreshed sense of confidence in his side, and you can see the effects already. Jason Cummings, for example, looks back to his arrogant best – he’s a striker who’s fuelled on overconfidence. Lennon has also made Hibs a better-rounded team. There’s more than one way of playing; more than one route to penetrate an opposition box. Saturday’s performance exemplified this change.

All four goals came from headers. Fraser Fyvie delivered a tempting cross to the far post that evaded a host of opposition defenders to find Andrew Shinnie. The club’s summer acquisition made the slightest of touches to push it across the line. John McGinn assisted the second. His floated cross seemed destined for the hands of Derek Gaston but Grant Holt battled him for the ball and came out the stronger. Shinnie turned provider for the third. His sudden cross seemed to rebound off the head of Cummings. The potent striker then wrapped up proceedings with a stunning cross of his own. A 30-yard curling left-footed effort found the head of Brian Graham, who got above the defender to snatch a fourth. Note that all four crosses came from either strikers or central midfielders, and not the full-backs. Another positive change Lennon has made.

 

SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO

FORFAR GOING FOR GOALS

15 months ago Forfar Athletic stood on the brink of the Championship. One horrible second-leg and a miserable campaign later and the Loons are in the fourth tier of Scottish football. However, that run of form has come to an end at the beginning of this season. Forfar are top of League 2, four points ahead of second place Arbroath – Dick Campbell’s Arbroath to be specific, and are on course to fight for automatic promotion. And they’re doing it in exciting fashion.

Those fortunate to have seen Forfar’s four league games so far will have witnessed a 3-2 victory against debutants Edinburgh City, a comeback in a 4-3 thriller with Cowdenbeath, a 2-1 win over Berwick Rangers, and a 3-2 defeat of Elgin City. Needless to say, goals haven’t been an issue. 19-year-old Josh Peters looks a revelation at this level. His three goals, spread out over three games, have proven to be crucial. His double against Aberdeen U20 also helped the Angus club into the next round of the Challenge Cup. Against Elgin, however, it was Thomas O’Brien’s double that sunk the club from Borough Briggs. It will come as no surprise, though, that Bollan sees fit to improve their defensive record. Forfar can’t count on late surges forever, and with Clyde and Arbroath among those chasing, it’s going to be a tight title fight this season. At least, at this rate, it’ll be an entertaining one.

Talking Points from Scottish Football

PREMIERSHIP

RIGHT BACK STILL AN ISSUE FOR DUNDEE

The tribal nature of football fandom means we like to see ‘our own’ succeed. There’s a romanticism about the academy graduate breaking through the glass ceiling, establishing himself in the first-team; the feeling that the club is everything to them, like it is to us; that they get it in a way that imports don’t. It’s the idea that they once stood on the terraces, cheering the team on. We all dreamt of donning the club shirt, pretending to be the striker on the school fields, and this guy managed to do it. He’s a reflection of us. For Dundee supporters, that’s Cammy Kerr.

It’s a shame, then, that even they have come to the conclusion that he is not yet good enough to be Dundee’s starting right-back. Against Rangers he was picked apart regularly. Lee Wallace and Barrie McKay found numerous opportunities to get behind Kerr, including the former’s run to set up the second goal. Against Hamilton he fared little better. His mind-set is to attack; to attack the opposition and to attack the ball. There were numerous examples throughout the game of Kerr being caught too far up the park, and of centre-halfs being pulled out of position to cover the space in behind. It’s no surprise his best performances have come when used as a wing-back; there’s an extra centre-back to cover, and his defensive responsibilities are lessened. In a back four, however, he’s a weakness.

No one can doubt Kerr’s commitment or work-rate – as is often the case with home-grown defenders – but he sometimes fails to read the game and can’t work out when to attack and when to defend. Of course, this is not to say that Kerr can never been a good full-back. He still has the potential; he just needs to develop those skills. Dundee, though, are in need of a stronger option in that position.

 

WIDTH HAS TRANSFORMED CELTIC’S ATTACK

The transformation of Celtic has happened quicker than one could’ve expected. Over the summer, some were surprised that Brendan Rodgers had done so little to change the Hoops; limp performances had become the norm under Ronny Deila, and there was no reason to suspect that the club could progress through the Champions League qualification stages. But three league games into the campaign, and with Celtic on the brink of a return to European football, it’s clear the effect the former Liverpool manager has had on the club.

Sometimes one can see the potential of a club – a left-back here, a centre-mid there, and suddenly a team looks miles better. That’s been the case at Celtic. There were positives under Deila – the progression of Kieran Tierney, the development of Leigh Griffiths into an all-round striker, the loan signing of Patrick Roberts – but he never completed the puzzle. Rodgers has. That was clear against St Johnstone – at least in an attacking sense.

One simple, but effective, change Rodgers has made is the signing of Scott Sinclair. The former Swansea left-winger doesn’t just bring speed and penetration, but natural width that the Hoops have so often lacked. Before Deila brought in Roberts, Celtic couldn’t stretch an opposition defence. With James Forrest falling out of favour, counting those precious moments until his contract ran out, Deila often used the likes of Stuart Armstrong in those positions. The problem is that those central attacking midfielders want to drive through the centre, and one ends up with congestion on the edge of the box. It’s also much easier to defend. All of the attacking traffic is coming through one lane. The addition of Sinclair, the revitalisation of Forrest, and the loan of Roberts, has opened up all three lanes.

Celtic relied so much on Griffiths last season. That’s no longer the case. Forrest and Sinclair already have goals to their names, and Moussa Dembele offers a great threat coming off the bench. With the classy Tom Rogic occupying the central role, Celtic suddenly look a lot more dangerous. Champions League football should return to Parkhead within the week, and one would be shocked not to see Scott Brown lifting the title at the end of the season.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

DOBBIE AND THE DOONHAMERS

There are signings that transform the outlook of a supporter. One such example is the return of Stephen Dobbie to Queen of the South. At the beginning of the season there was a sense of pessimism surrounding the Doonhamers: James Fowler had departed after a mixed tenure, the club had done little business to improve the squad, and there was a feeling that another lower mid-table season was on the cards. Then Dobbie came back. It’d been seven years since he departed for Swansea City, and in that time he’d turned up at seven different club, including a dismal stint at Bolton Wanderers last season. A situation like that can make one long for a familiar place. Palmerston is just that. And it feels like he never left.

His first start – against Hibs in the League Cup – produced a goal that began an astonishing comeback for the visitors – Grant Anderson and Lyndon Dykes scored late on to secure a memorable win for the Doonhamers. Then he tore Ayr United apart in his full league debut, combining with the orange-skinned Derek Lyle to guide them to a comfortable 4-1 win. He even managed to upstage Gary Harkins. But his best performance to date came at the weekend during a 2-0 win over Falkirk.

On 34 minutes he made his mark. Dykes drove through the Bairns defence, not one of whom were paying attention to the lurking veteran striker. A simple sideways pass found Dobbie on the edge of the D. With poise and elegance, Dobbie, not taking a touch to settle, used the inside of his right foot to pick out a spot in the bottom corner. A simple tap of the badge, a point to the crowd, and a sincere smile summed up his celebration. It wouldn’t be his last of the afternoon.

Again he sought out a quiet pocket of space, on the edge of the action, but not quite in it. Anderson’s cross found a huddle at the far post, with the ball then rolling into the path of Dobbie. He stunned Falkirk defenders tried to surround him. This time he took a couple of touches to settle, and then lifted it over the goalkeeper and off the crossbar. Another moment of genius. A lot of strikers can score; few make it look so effortless.

This could turn out to be the best signing in Scotland. One wouldn’t bet against the Doonhamers achieving another top four finish.

 

Talking Points from Scottish Football

PREMIERSHIP

LACK OF GOALS A CONCERN FOR ABERDEEN

There’s been a common criticism of Aberdeen over the past couple of seasons. It’s been said that the Dons are too reliant on the contribution of Adam Rooney, and that without his predatory instinct they’d labour in the search for a goal. Simon Church papered over the cracks in the latter stages of the last campaign, but it was clear that Aberdeen, if Derek McInnes was serious about furthering their title ambitions, needed more firepower up-front; someone to ease the pressure on the shoulders of the ginger-haired striker. That came in the form of Jayden Stockley, a striker in the Rooney mould, and the more mobile Miles Storey. Both offer options in attack. However, one wouldn’t have predicted that their inclusion would mean the exclusion of Rooney. The talismanic striker has been limited to 20 minute spells coming off the bench.

The trio of Wes Burns, Storey and Stockley started in the season opener at McDiarmid Park. It was St Johnstone, though, who looked more dangerous in the goalless draw. While McInnes could be pleased that Anthony O’Connor appears to have added some much needed solidity and consistency to his defence, he must’ve been disappointed that his three new attackers looked so impotent.

Against Hearts, McInnes persisted in starting Stockley ahead of Rooney. The result: no goals and one glancing header that dipped over the crossbar. For the second consecutive game Aberdeen were unable to break through a resistant defence. Niall McGinn made a couple of decent runs but did little to test the inexperienced Jack Hamilton, while Wes Burns has shown nothing to suggest that he’s an adequate cover for the recovering Jonny Hayes.

It’s crucial that Aberdeen start firing. Celtic are one point ahead already, and have a game-in-hand after postponing their tie against Partick Thistle in favour of a glamour friendly in Ireland. Rangers are also starting to settle in the league. If the Dons want to challenge the Hoops for the title, or at least fight for second against the Gers, Derek McInnes can’t afford a goal drought.

 

LIAM BOYCE COULD BE BACK TO HIS BEST

Liam Boyce began last season in startling form. The Staggies striker notched seven goals in the first ten games, as County continued their brilliant form from the campaign prior. He tailed off for a spell before another glut came in a six-match run, culminating in a hat-trick against Dundee. He wouldn’t score for another 14 games. He toiled as Alex Schalk ran riot against Celtic, and the League Cup won’t be remembered for his contribution – he came off after an anonymous 59 minutes. With Craig Curran, Brian Graham and Schalk all competing for two starting berths, his form put his position under question. He silenced those queries against Inverness.

On seven minutes he put the Staggies ahead. Curran popped a cross past three red-and-blue shirts, placing the ball square on the forehead of his partner-in-crime. Boyce converted. Not that the inept Inverness defence could’ve made it any easier. Kevin McNaughton watched, motionless, as the ball sailed over his head, and Carl Tremarco, seeing the event unfolding, arrived too late to make up for the centre-half’s error. McNaughton had to go off through injury not long after.

The visitors were on course for a second thanks to the lax defending of the hosts. On 26 minutes, Boyce doubled the Staggies’ slender lead. Richard Foster’s sweeping cross from deep landed in the box, at the feet of the chasing striker. Boyce, with one deft left-foot touch, prodded the ball back to his right, sending a dumbfounded David Raven heading in the opposite direction. It gave him enough time to rest, to drink a coffee, and to pick out the bottom right corner of Owain Fon Williams’ net.

Inverness snatched a disputed goal before half-time and appeared much more settled. County needed another goal to put the game beyond doubt. Boyce stepped up. Chris Routis’ pin-point free-kick found Boyce among a huddle at the far post. Again Inverness were the culprits of their own downfall. Tremarco and Gary Warren had Boyce sandwiched, yet the County striker outleapt both of them to complete his hat-trick.

As much as his hat-trick had to do with Inverness’s incompetent defending, Boyce did an excellent job at getting into the right positions. He fought harder in the air for the third, and showed a sublime touch for the second. It was an imperious display. It might just be the confidence boost he needed to kick-start another productive campaign.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

DURNAN OR DONALDSON MUST GO

One might underestimate the job Ray McKinnon has on his hands. Dundee United are a Premiership-size club and boast a collection of talents that would walk into most teams in the Championship. But one must only look to Easter Road to see that earning promotion from the second tier at a so-called ‘big club’ is not as simple as it looks. United might have cleared out most of the rot and ditched Mixu, but that doesn’t fix a broken mind-set; time, positive performances, and strong results are the cure for that infection. McKinnon must achieve all three to lift them out of their slumber. But to do so, he must also create strong foundations to build a team on.

Against Dumbarton United lined-up with a back-four of Jamie Robson, Coll Donaldson, Mark Durnan and Lewis Toshney. It’s a centre-back partnership that strikes fear into the hearts of Arabs. And on the banks of the Clyde, the dynamic duo struck again. Durnan dragged Gregor Buchanan to the ground from a corner, giving Mark Docherty the chance to score his third penalty in two games. It could’ve been much worse – a free-kick cannoned off the crossbar.

It came as a surprise that McKinnon kept his faith in the pair. Donaldson is erratic personified. He’ll charge out, leaving gaping holes in the defence, unaware of what’s happening around him, and loses concentration. Durnan, on the other hand, cannot seem to track an opponent. It’s difficult to pick who’s worse. There’s such strong competition. It’s also a strange decision that McKinnon chose both because he has Lewis Toshney, who proved to be a decent centre-half at Raith, out at full-back. It also can’t help the development of Jamie Robson. An inexperienced 18-year-old needs guidance, not Coll Donaldson. United can’t afford both of them dragging the team down. McKinnon must get rid of at least one of them.

 

LEAGUE ONE

STENNY LOSE A ‘SIX POINTER’

It might seem early in the season for talk of ‘six-pointers’, but Queen’s Park visit to Stenhousemuir might’ve been one. Queen’s, despite their promotion, lost Willie Muir and Chris Duggan to East Fife in the summer, and are still in the process of building a squad capable of keeping them in the division. It’s part of the reason the Spiders are regarded as one of the favourites for relegation. Stenhousemuir are another side tipped for the trapdoor. The Warriors came out victorious in the play-offs at the culmination of the 2014-15 campaign, and a late surge saved them last season. But their luck will run out unless results improve. A 2-1 loss at Brechin was not the start they were looking for. While Stranraer and Peterhead are pointless, the former have gone up against Alloa and Livingston – the pair expected to duke it out for the title – and the Blue Toon have also faced the Lions. It’s Stenhousemuir and Queen’s Park who’re expected to struggle over the season. Both will need all the points they can muster, and that’s what made their meeting at Ochilview all the more important.

The Warriors had started off the better side and snatched a lead on 34 minutes. Alan Cook found Stephen Stirling on the edge of the D. The midfielder took one touch, bouncing the ball off the ground, and then fired a driven piledriver off into the top right corner – a magnificent strike to put the hosts ahead. Stenny created more chances than the visitors – six to QP’s five – and looked like building on their slender lead. But football’s given us enough examples of teams being punished for not taking the advantage, and Brown Ferguson’s side are just the latest victim. The Spiders improved in the second-half; one free-kick smashed off the crossbar, and Colin McCabe had to be at his best to stop a handful of decent chances. And on 73 minutes the equaliser came. Stirling and Ryan McGeever both swung for a loose ball in the Stenny box, but the Queen’s Park defender got the initial touch, and Stirling’s foot found flesh instead of leather. McGeever fell to the ground, an agonised expression on his face, as John McKendrick pointed to the spot – the centre-back jumped upon hearing the whistle and started celebrating. Darren Miller fired the ball into the top right corner to level proceedings. It looked like the teams would have to settle for a point; each had a half-chance as the game came to an end. But on 90 minutes, Queen’s Park nicked all three points. Ross Meechan gifted David Galt enough space to find an unmarked Joshua Watt at the far post. Jamie McCormack watched as the ball dipped over his head and only then realised that it had found its intended target. Watt’s clumsy volley bounced off the ground and over McCabe. Furious shouts of ‘concentrate’ could be heard bellowing from the mouth of Ferguson as the visitors celebrated.

Stenhousemuir have perhaps the lowest budget in the division, so Ferguson doesn’t have the tools to attract talents capable of firing them up the league. He must do the best with what little he has. Simple things like concentration, dedication, and organisation will be crucial if their fans harbour hopes of remaining in League One. The next couple of weeks will be tough; a trip to on-form Livingston and a visit from Airdrieonians are unlikely to yield points. Stenhousemuir visit Hampden Park on October 29. It’ll be interesting to see where the two teams are at that point. If Stenny don’t show signs of improvement before then, this could be a long and miserable season for the Warriors.

Talking Points from Scottish Football

PREMIERSHIP

Consistency is key for Crawford

It wasn’t quite the return to the Premiership that Rangers supporters expected. A packed-out Ibrox turned out to witness a ‘welcome home’ party, but instead found that Hamilton had turned up the lights, kicked out the guests, and popped the balloons. And no one did quite as much popping as Ali Crawford.

The erratic attacking midfielder tore a stagnant Rangers’ midfield to shreds, hassling and pressing them out of possession one minute, dribbling around them the next. He even had time to nutmeg Joey Barton. He looked at his electric best, and capped his brilliant performance off with a stunning goal. Being edged towards the corner of the Rangers’ box, Nico Krancjar inexplicably dived in, missing the ball completely, and giving Crawford the chance to cut back inside. The Hamilton attacker obliged, dragging the ball back, before curling a sudden shot past Wes Foderingham. The stunned Ibrox fell silent.

At his best, Crawford can be unplayable. His creativity and drive is crucial to Hamilton – it’s no surprise their form dropped off whenever he did. Unfortunately, his form comes in patches; patches that last months. He had a stunning start to last season but tailed off after three or four months. He has the talent to be among the best attackers in the division, now it’s time to prove it.

 

Could Rory Loy be the one to fill Hemmings’ boots?

The departure of Kane Hemmings hit Dundee fans hard. The Dees had been preparing themselves for the exit of Greg Stewart; he’s been at Dens for two full campaigns and picked up two Player of the Year nominations. But it felt like Hemmings, for all his goal-scoring exploits, had just arrived. Then Oxford United – a move which should help indicate the level of the Scottish Premiership – swooped in and matched Hemmings’ small buy-out clause – a mere £250,000. That was a gut punch.

The feeling of despair eased slightly last week when it was announced that the club had signed Faissal El Bakhtaoui. The former Dunfermline Athletic striker had a trial at Blackburn Rovers, but the Lancastrian club opted not to sign him and the Dees swooped in to land their man. The Moroccan scored 30 goals in League One last season, and, although it’s yet to be seen whether he’ll make the step up, Dundee fans were understandably excited about his arrival. But he didn’t start against Ross County; Rory Loy did.

The former Falkirk striker endured an injury hit campaign last season. After scoring a brace on his league debut in the memorable 4-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock, he spent a spell on the side-lines and then returned only to be pushed out to the left-flank as he watched Hemmings shine in his favoured position. With Hemmings now departed, this is Loy’s opportunity to make the starting striker position his. He didn’t disappoint against the Staggies.

On 13 minutes the industrious Mark O’Hara put a driven cross into the six-yard-box, which Loy, sliding in, thumped in off his left boot. The Dundee support erupted behind the goal. Then just before half-time, James McEveley pushed O’Hara to the ground as a corner came in. Loy stepped up and coolly placed it down the centre of Scott Fox’s goal.

Loy will be desperate for his season to not be defined by injuries again. He’s proven that he’s capable of being a reliable goal-scorer, but only if his body doesn’t let him down. This is going to be a huge season for him.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

Individual mistakes cost Dumbarton

On paper, Dumbarton’s 4-3 defeat at East End Park doesn’t look like a terrible result for the Sons. However, it would’ve been 4-1 had it not been for two late mistakes from Dunfermline. Michael Paton tripped David Smith as both reached for the ball, and, minutes later, Lee Ashcroft dragged Robert Thompson to the ground, both resulting in penalties that Mark Docherty put beyond David Hutton. If not for these errors, it would’ve been a far more humbling afternoon for the visitors. It could be a long season for them. Especially if an under pressure Stevie Aitken doesn’t address their defensive frailties.

Craig Pettigrew had a debut to forget for Dumbarton at right-back. He was constantly found out of position and did little to help the Sons in attack. And there will be questions about Frazer Wright after he made a mistake for Dunfermline’s third. Alan Martin passed the ball out to Wright, who hesitated and lost possession. Moffat got the ball, pushed it out to an unmarked Joe Cardle, and the winger placed it past a dejected Martin to complete his hat-trick. While poor Daniel Harvie, just 18-years-old, had a torrid time against an in-form Kallum Higginbotham. The inexperienced left-back looked nervous throughout and contributed to Dumbarton’s downfall. Under pressure he shifted the ball to Docherty, like a shit version of pass the parcel, and he conceded possession inside the box, left frustrated as David Hopkirk rounded off the scoring for the hosts. Not all of Dunfermline’s goals can be attributed to individual mistakes, but a team like Dumbarton, who’re expected to struggle, can’t afford to gift their opponents so many opportunities. Not if they want to stay in the Championship.

 

LEAGUE TWO

Easton could be the difference for Clyde

This is going to be a huge season for Barry Ferguson. The Clyde manager has spent two full seasons in charge of the Bully Wee, with little to show for it. This summer he completed another squad revamp, edging out many of the OAPs of Scottish football he’d remembered from his playing days, and bringing in some of the most exciting talents in League Two. He cherry-picked younger talents like the attacking-minded left-back Jordan Lowdon – although his defensive deficiencies contributed to Montrose’s equaliser, former Annan midfielder Matt Flynn, and the promising Dylan Easton. The latter, in particular, could be a crucial acquisition for Clyde.

Easton earned a Player of the Year nomination for his performances up in Elgin last season – even if his diving exploits provoked a furious reaction from the normally chill Jim Chapman – and therefore his arrival created quite a buzz amongst the Clyde support. On Saturday he lived up to his substantial promise.

His first goal at the club was the perfect introduction. He weaved through the Montrose midfield with ease, the ball glued to his foot. As he began moving towards the box he produced a thunderbolt directed straight at the top right corner of Jordan Millar’s goal. A moment of genius that encapsulated almost everything he brings to the club. He completed his highlight reel later on, helping create the winner. Again dribbling through the Montrose midfield, he put a perfectly weighted ball to Peter MacDonald. A deft touch from the striker squeezed the ball through the defence, leaving Flynn with all the time to slot it past Millar.

Ayr United 0-0 Stranraer (3-1 on penalties)

Ayr United will be in the Championship for the first time since 2012 after beating Stranraer on penalties.

Hundreds of Honest Men supporters flooded the pitch after Andy Graham converted from the spot, celebrating United’s first promotion at the ground since 1956.

4,581 had turned out to see who would replace Livingston in next season’s Scottish Championship; it would be over 120 minutes till that question would be answered.

It was a tight affair, and, after no goals and nothing to separate them at the end of 90 minutes, the match entered extra-time. The match continued in the same trend, and it was no surprise to see the game go to penalties.

It was heartbreak for Stranraer, who, after being so resilient for 120 minutes, missed their first three penalties to hand Championship football to Ayr on a plate.

Graham stepped up and converted.

For Ayr, their next summer will be spent preparing for life in the Championship, where they’ll be facing familiar faces in Dunfermline Athletic and fresh ones in Hibernian. For Stranraer, it will be about recuperating from this tough defeat. Either side could’ve progressed on the day, despite their opposing routes to the final.

United had looked to challenge Dunfermline. The Honest Men suffered just one defeat – a 3-0 drubbing from Albion Rovers on the opening day – in their opening 15 matches and claimed an impressive 2-0 win over the Pars at East End Park. But inconsistent form robbed them of that chance. Amazingly, United didn’t draw one of their subsequent 21 games, losing 12 and winning 9, as Peterhead pipped them to second place.

Stranraer, meanwhile, languished at the bottom of the division at Christmas. Brian Reid struggled to replicate the same cohesion his predecessor, Stephen Aitken, had instilled in his over-achieving team. However, a sudden up-turn in form, aided by the return of Willie Gibson, meant Stranraer collected 37 points from their remaining 19 matches, snatching fourth-place ahead of an inconsistent Albion Rovers and a lumbering Airdrieonians.

The clubs also had differing fortunes in their respective semi-final ties. United settled their game against an out-of-sorts Peterhead in the first-leg, claiming a comfortable 4-1 win at Balmoor, before finishing it off 2-1 at Somerset Park. Stranraer’s tie was a much tenser affair. The Blues thumped a shell-shocked Livingston 5-2 at Stair Park, but were then forced into extra-time at the Tony Macaroni Stadium. Goals in the 89^th and 90^th minutes handed Livi a life-line, giving them 30 minutes to save their Championship status. But it was Stranraer who progressed, Liam Dick and Jamie Longworth scoring to send them through to the final.

Stranraer welcomed Ayr to Stair Park on Wednesday evening, when United grabbed an all-important equaliser in the final moments of the game. Marc McGuigan had given the hosts the advantage in the 54^th minute, but in the fifth minute of added-time, Ross Docherty finished a half-volley on the edge of the box to quash Stranraer’s short-lived advantage.

Would it prove to be a crucial moment in the tie?

An anxious roar greeted the referee’s whistle, which marked the end of the minute of silence for Chris Mitchell. The tense atmosphere suited the opening moments of the match.

Stranraer tested Greg Fleming first. Stirling shuffled around two white shirts and rifled the ball at the United net. The experienced Fleming reacted and palmed the ball out for a corner. Then it was United’s turn. Jordan Preston almost punished lackadaisical defending, racing through to go one-on-one with Cameron Belford, but at the final moment Steven Bell put in an excellent sliding challenge to rob Preston of his chance. The striker then forced Belford to produce a quick save, cutting in from the left and firing a driven shot at the near post. The on-loan goalkeeper pounced to push the ball around the post.

After an enthralling opening 15 minutes, the match settled. It became a much tighter affair, both teams searching for half-chances, neither opening up enough at the risk of being caught on the counter-attack. The teams reached half-time of the second-leg in the same state as the beginning of the tie. Nothing could separate Ayr and Stranraer. It would require something special.

The second-half began as the first ended. In a moment that summed up the game, a frustrated Craig Malcolm shouted for more support, fed up at being fed scraps and expected to break the deadlock.

Stirling almost did just that. The Stranraer winger sped into space, left Devlin trailing and cut into the box. A couple of desperate, last-ditch challenges tried to block his path, but he remained calm and dragged the ball around them. With just Fleming stopping him from putting Stranraer on the road to the Championship, Stirling lashed the ball over the crossbar. A dumbfounded McGuigan crumbled to his knees and punched the ground. Stranraer should’ve been ahead.

Despite this setback, Stranraer were ascendant. Ayr were on the ropes. A tense atmosphere surrounded Somerset Park as a desperate United defence tried to clear their lines. A cheer broke out as Fleming rose high to clutch the ball to his chest, ending minutes of bombardment.

United’s best chance since the start of the game came from Preston. The striker pounced on a mistake but failed to capitalise, or test Belford, and fired the ball into the stands.

With ten minutes remaining, the game again came to a stand-still, and soon the match had reached extra-time.

But much like the preceding 90 minutes, there was nothing to separate the sides.

Steven Bell should’ve secured Championship football for Stranraer in the 114^th minute, his header evading Fleming but skimming the edge of post. Patrick Boyle almost punished him for it moments later, the Ayr defender also missing a simple chance.

Gibson had a moment in the final moments, twisting and turning and looking to escape his marker, but his eventual shot missed the target. He put his head in his hands. Andrew Dallas blew the whistle, and the game went to penalties.

Stranraer chose to go first. Paul Cairney stepped up, but his tame effort was caught by Fleming. Preston put Ayr one up. Longworth went next for the Blues, and his effort, much like Cairney’s, also produced a simple save from Fleming. Trouten extended Ayr’s lead.

David Barron needed to score if Stranraer were going to comeback. Instead he produced the laziest shot of the lot. His sluggish shot gave Fleming, who had dived to his right, enough time to stick a leg out to block the shot.

The Ayr fans on the edge of the park, waiting to burst on, had to wait a moment as Ross Docherty’s effort hit the post. But, after Gibson scored Stranraer’s only successful penalty, Graham converted from the spot to send the Ayr fans into a frenzy.

 

Hibernian 2-2 Falkirk – Talking Points

Houston gets his tactics spot on…it’s not quite enough

It was never going to be an open, exciting, end-to-end thriller. Their three previous meetings had ended even, and during the Championship season their four matches featured a whopping nine goals – four of which came in the same game. Falkirk are a natural counter to Hibernian. Peter Houston has transformed Falkirk into an organised, defensive-minded outfit; Alan Stubbs’s team are much more free-flowing, possession-based side, using short-range passes to find a breakthrough. Falkirk stifle attacking intent, conceding possession but offering no space in the box. It’s no surprise they boasted the joint-meanest defence in the Championship, having conceded the same amount of goals (34) as Rangers and Hibs.

For Falkirk, the point of the game was clear from the outset. The Bairns have the second-leg advantage, the match taking place at their home ground – in the same sense that Hibs benefitted from the second-leg of their tie with Raith Rovers taking place at Easter Road. Houston thus set up his side to not concede and to make the most of counter-attacking opportunities – although a lack of pace made this a difficult job.

Once the Bairns snatched a lead, Lee Miller deflecting Tom Taiwo’s shot into Conrad Logan’s net, Hibs began to look frustrated, unable to pass through Falkirk’s organised and disciplined defence. The hosts didn’t want to be travelling to Falkirk needing to win – the Bairns lost fewer Championship games than both Rangers and Hibs, an amazing achievement given their respective budgets. But Hibs boast some of the best attacking talent in Scotland, and that started to make an impact.

The hosts found the breakthrough after a punishing spell for the Falkirk defence. The Hibees pushed-and-pushed for an equaliser, Easter Road roaring, before Liam Henderson thundered an effort straight down the throat of Danny Rogers, who couldn’t react quick enough to stop it. Easter Road started bouncing; the home fans were desperate for a second. Momentum was on Hibs’ side. Nerves started affecting Falkirk, mistakes were slipping into their game. Minutes later, Hibs celebrated a second; Falkirk were on the back-foot, rocking. Darren McGregor leapt, as he did against Raith, and thundered a header past Rogers.

Falkirk, to their credit, did reset. The Bairns looked a much more solid outfit after the second, resettling back into the game, and actually creating more chances. Hibs were being pushed back, until the visitors grabbed an equaliser that silenced Easter Road. Conrad Logan has been an assured and confident presence since his debut against Dundee United, but he cost Hibs a crucial lead heading into the second leg when he let Bob McHugh’s shot squeeze underneath him and into the net.

In the end, Falkirk and Peter Houston will look at this game as a huge positive. Although the Bairns would have preferred to be welcoming Hibs with an advantage, perhaps their home ground can give them the added steel needed to come through the second leg victorious. If not for 20 minute blip, when nerves affected their focus, they might have won.

 

 

Another bad refereeing mistake

It feels like there can’t be one important game in Scottish football without there being a contentious decision. In this tie, it was Alan Muir missing a clear hand-ball. David McCracken, getting back to his feet after scrapping for the ball inside his box, put his hands on the ball and pretty much used it to stand back up. It was a clear penalty, and one which could’ve had a big impact on the result. Worse still, Muir had a straight, unobstructed view of the incident and still didn’t make a call.

 

 

Stokes and Cummings invisible…again

Alan Stubbs must have a large bet on, such is his determination for the pairing of Jason Cummings and Anthony Stokes to succeed as a strike partnership. It’s been commented on time-and-time again that the duo are too similar, both dropping deeper to make things happen rather than sitting around the box, neither one hassling defences. It meant the Bairns’ defence were under no pressure, able to sit deep, and act as one structured unit. Due to Stubbs’ diamond midfield, which provides little width, it was often Cummings and Stokes drifting out into wider positions, leaving just one occupying a dangerous position inside the box; this suited the resolute Falkirk defence to perfection.

Hibs needed to change things up.

Cummings forged one chance, spinning on a dime and slipping a through ball to Stokes, which sent him behind the Falkirk defence. The loanee striker, one-on-one, blasted the ball over the crossbar. He should’ve equalised. But from that moment on Hibs squeezed Falkirk, creating chance-after-chance. A goal came, Liam Henderson blasting in from close-range. A second followed. An influential Henderson delivered a dipping corner straight onto the head of a leaping Darren McGregor, who redirected the ball into the Falkirk net. Despite this comeback, Cummings and Stokes had not had much involvement in either goal, and it was thus little surprise when James Keatings replaced Cummings soon after.

 

 

Miller struggles but makes his mark

Lee Miller had a tough ask on his hands. The striker, on paper, was up front alongside John Baird; in action the striker was alone, Baird often dropping deeper to limit Dylan McGeouch’s movement on the ball and linking up midfield and attack. His role was also made harder by Falkirk’s tactics. As mentioned earlier, the Bairns conceded possession and looked to make the most of limited chances, using long-balls and quick counter-attacks to try and grab a goal. Miller was alone.

He struggled in the role. Miller couldn’t seem to hold up the ball, and he was often dispossessed before he could bring others into the attack. But that’s not to say he didn’t have any impact.

In the 34^th minute, Tom Taiwo capitalised on a rebounded free-kick, finding himself free of a marker and in acres of space. The Falkirk centre-mid rifled a shot through the line of defence, but the eventual goal wasn’t his; Miller deflected the incoming shot, sending it past a static Conrad Logan. The infuriated Hibs’ goalkeeper ran off, arms flailing, towards the linesman, claiming that Miller must’ve been offside – he wasn’t, and the goal stood.

Given such a work-load it’s perhaps no surprise that he was replaced in the 58^th minute, Bob McHugh replacing the goal-scorer. Miller had done his job for the evening.

Matches to watch out for this weekend

CHAMPIONSHIP: QUEEN OF THE SOUTH V RAITH ROVERS

This could be the match that decides the team that finishes fourth in the Championship. Should Raith Rovers escape Palmerston Park with anything more than a loss and they will be guaranteed a place in the play-offs. It could cap off what’s been an astonishing run for the Kirkcaldy club. Raith have collected 24 points from their last eleven games, lost just once – a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox, and scalped Hibernian when Alan Stubbs’ side visited Stark’s Park a couple of weeks ago. And just last weekend Rangers had to settle for a point. The boisterous travelling support, 3-2 up in added time, the title in their grasp, were silenced as Harry Panayiotou rifled in a late equaliser. What’s more amazing is the sudden goal rush. In this 11 game spell Raith have notched 22 goals; it had taken them all 21 games of the campaign prior to this run to accumulate the same amount. It’s this threat that Queen of the South will have to combat on Saturday.

The Doonhamers themselves haven’t been short of a goal in recent weeks, but, unlike Raith, there’s been little reward for their efforts. James Fowler’s team have scored 17 in their last ten – a rate not dissimilar to Raith’s – but collected just ten points from those outings. Their last couple of games have highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. Against both Rangers and Falkirk the Doonhamers found themselves behind. The Gers took what looked like an unassailable lead, going 4-1 up in the 55^th minute. But Queen of the South battled back and reduced the lead to one; unfortunately time ran out on them before they could snatch a point. Last weekend goals from Blair Alston and John Baird put Falkirk two up, before Derek Lyle and Iain Russell struck back to grab a point against the travelling Bairns.

With just a point needed for Raith to guarantee a top-four finish, both teams are going to be pushing for three points. It should be a thrilling match.

 

 

LEAGUE ONE: COWDENBEATH V BRECHIN CITY

Imagine being Darren Dods last weekend. The Brechin manager watched his side scratch-and-claw to their fifth win in six matches, a 1-0 win over struggling Stenhousemuir, and he must have at least entertained the idea that the result will have lifted his team off the bottom of the table. Not so, I’m afraid. As Brechin claimed a crucial three points against the Warriors, their relegation rivals were also celebrating important wins. Apparently wins are like London buses to League One relegation candidates. Forfar Athletic strolled to a 2-0 win against second-place Peterhead and Cowdenbeath bested third-place Ayr United at Central Park. What were the odds that all three teams would win?

Forfar face the toughest tie of the weekend: a trip to East End Park to visit the champions, Dunfermline. It helps make this tie the most interesting of the round. Should Cowdenbeath claim three points, the Blue Brazil will create a five-point lead over Brechin; if the Hedgemen win they’ll move above Cowdenbeath. Stenhousemuir have been dragged into this relegation scrap as well. The Warriors are in terrible form and are just one point ahead of Cowdenbeath. If they lose at the Excelsior, and either Brechin or Cowdenbeath win, they’ll be edging towards the drop-zone. This is not the time to drop points.

One would imagine that, unlike the Queen of the South v Raith Rovers tie, this will be a tight affair. Neither team can afford to drop points and gift them to their relegation rivals; expect both to defend in numbers and try to sneak three points.

 

 

LEAGUE TWO: BERWICK RANGERS V CLYDE

Speaking of must win games. Clyde have been doing their upmost to hand East Fife the League Two title, losing at home to Arbroath and then letting Montrose score three before snatching a 90^th minute equaliser from the spot. Results last weekend gave the Fifers a four point lead heading into the final four rounds of fixtures. The Bully Wee entertain East Fife at Broadwood next weekend and thus can’t afford to drop points against Berwick Rangers if they still have ambitions of lifting the title. But this is going to be a tough match.

Berwick have the third strongest form in the league. After collecting just 22 points from their opening 22 games of the season, the English club have picked up 18 from their last ten matches. In that time they’ve lost just two games – a 2-1 defeat at Broadwood and a 1-0 loss against Annan Athletic. More impressive is their home form. The Black and Gold are undefeated in their last seven at Shielfield Park. In their last four home games they’ve beaten Elgin City, Stirling Albion, Arbroath and Montrose; it’s as tough a ground to visit as any at the moment.

If East Fife defeat Montrose in Methil and Clyde lose, it will create a seven point gap, with just three games to go. Essentially, any hopes of attaining automatic promotion to League One is over.