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.

Dundee 1-2 Rangers – Talking Points

Dundee will miss Hemmings in the big games

It was an abject performance from the hosts – one that must’ve been a wake-up call to reality after the departures of Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart. While Dundee bested Ross County the week prior, they also came up against a three-man defence with no pace, and both sides were evenly matched. That was not the case at Dens Park. Rangers controlled the game, forged most of the chances, and kept Dundee from doing any real damage. Quite often the dark blue defence would thump the ball down-field in a desperate hope of easing the pressure on them. They did so to little avail.

Rory Loy is a talented striker, but he’s not Kane Hemmings. He doesn’t have the power, the pace, and the strength of the now Oxford United frontman. Hemmings could be effective as a lone striker in such situations because he could hassle a defence, using his large frame to outmuscle centre-backs and hold up the ball. Loy lacks the strength and presence to do that. It doesn’t help that Paul Hartley has limited options on his bench. Neither Faissal El Bakhtaoui nor Craig Wighton offer a more physical presence. Yordi Teijsse looked dominant when he came on, but it remains to be seen whether he also has the technical skills to match.

 

Rangers are still vulnerable

Rangers were cruising to three points as half-time approached. The Gers sliced through Dundee’s lax defence for their second; Lee Wallace running behind Cammy Kerr to meet Barrie McKay’s chipped through ball, and then pulling it back for Kenny Miller to thump past Scott Bain. The hosts were rocking. It should’ve marked the beginning of a comfortable spell for Rangers. But Dundee refused to retreat and the Gers laboured in their search for a third.

Questions were again asked of Rangers defence after a soft goal for the Dees. As a corner came in both Danny Wilson and Miller misjudged headers to clear, and Joey Barton let Mark O’Hara make a darting run behind them to head the ball past Wes Foderingham. Rangers had looked comfortable for 44 minutes, yet Mark Warburton must’ve trudged off at half-time frustrated that his side had let Dundee gain a slight glimpse of a point.

The second-half proved to be a more even contest. The introductions of the physical Yordi Teijsse and mobile Faissal El Bakhtaoui made a huge difference for Dundee – Loy had been largely ineffective as the lone striker. Although the duo couldn’t find an equaliser, Rangers were far less comfortable after Paul Hartley made the change. As Hamilton proved last week, this isn’t the formidable Rangers of old.

 

Rangers should’ve been down to ten

Harry Forrester should’ve been off the pitch one minute before he was. Having picked up a booking in the first-half, he lunged into a late challenge, one leg either side of his opponents’. It was a clear second bookable offence, and he should’ve been off. However, Craig Thomson balked at the suggestion. Mark Warburton obviously felt Thomson made the wrong decision; he brought the goal-scorer off a minute later, clearly feeling that it was only a matter of time before the winger saw red.

Warburton said after the game: “Another referee might have given it but I can’t comment on that.”

 

O’Hara could be a revelation

Mark O’Hara continues to shine in his new role. At Kilmarnock he was often utilised as a right-back or a holding midfielder, but Paul Hartley has freed him from his defensive shackles and has used him in an attacking role. He bullied the Ross County defence last weekend and provided a simple cross for Rory Loy to convert. Whereas Loy is a more technical striker, with little strength and not a great deal of pace, O’Hara is capable of making strong runs from deep, pushing off his markers, bursting through a defence. He offers a direct penetration that Dundee would lack without him.

Celtic 5-0 Motherwell – Talking Points

James Forrest receives a chance from Rodgers

Prior to kick-off, Brendan Rodgers made some interesting comments about James Forrest. Asked about the enigmatic winger following the announcement of a contract extension, the Celtic boss admitted that he’d first seen him when managing in the Premier League and had taken an interest. He also confirmed what many of us had felt about Forrest: he’d plateaued and regressed since bursting onto the scene. It’s clear, though, that Forrest is an important part of Rodgers’ plans in the future. He said that he’d seen his potential on the training field and in glimpses on the pitch and wanted him to remain at Parkhead. Now it’s up to Forrest reward his manager’s faith.

I’ve written in previous blogs about Patrick Roberts being what Forrest should’ve been: quick and direct, yes, but also consistent and a predator in front of goal. Interestingly, the pair play in the same position. We’ll have to wait to see who Rodgers favours. Roberts is the better winger, but he’s also on loan; Forrest is inconsistent but, if developed to reach his full potential, could be more important in the long run.

 

Scott Sinclair is rediscovering his game

The Etihad has become the cemetery of many promising English talents. The tombstones are a who’s who of prospects. You have to wonder why they continue to move to Manchester City – apart from the money, of course. Scott Sinclair had been an integral part of Swansea City’s promotion side before succumbing to the lure of the Etihad in the summer of 2012. Once there, three development-stunting seasons produced just 13 Premier League appearances. A transfer to Aston Villa could’ve reinvigorated his career, but he looked a shell of his former self. For a winger who relies on taking on defences, confidence is key, and he looked drained. It appears, though, that Brendan Rodgers is helping him rediscover his game.

Rodgers was the perfect man for the job. The Celtic boss coached Sinclair in Chelsea’s youth system and later brought him to Swansea; one would imagine few people understand him better. Against Hearts he made an immediate impact, making a lung-busting run from his own-half to tap in Leigh Griffiths’ sumptuous cross past Jack Hamilton. He raced behind the goal and into the arms of the Celtic support, soaked up in the moment. Against Motherwell he made his full debut.

One bonus for Sinclair is that he’s virtually guaranteed a starting berth. While James Forrest and Patrick Roberts will contest the right-flank, there’s no natural winger on the left other than Sinclair. He looked full of confidence from the opening moments, running directly at the ‘Well defence, feet a blur, and proved to be a constant source of frustration for Richard Tait. He capped off the performance with another goal. He breezed past the right-back as he cut inside the box, also evading Chris Cadden, and then curled a simple effort into the right corner. Samson stood motionless as he watched the ball nestle in the corner. After years on the bench at the Etihad and then failing to recover his form at Villa, these moments will be joyous ones for the winger.

 

Tom Rogic made a second impression

Tom Rogic didn’t make the perfect first impression on Brendan Rodgers. The Aussie started in Celtic’s embarrassing defeat to Lincoln Red Imps, giving perhaps his worst performance in the hooped shirt. For those of us who watched him last season, and those of us who regard him as the best midfielder in the league, it made for frustrating viewing. It speaks volumes that he didn’t make another starting appearance until last night. Thankfully, he made a much better impression the second time round.

It was a performance from Rogic that highlighted his best attributes. He glided around the pitch, linking the midfield, and helped get the best out of Sinclair and Forrest. The occasionally anonymous winger can drift out of games, but Rogic did an outstanding job of utilising both flanks and making the most of team’s width. He also gave a demonstration of his skill in the form of his two strikes.

Callum McGregor spotted the run of Rogic and put a perfectly weighted dinked pass over the defence. Rogic, back to goal, brought it down with his outstretched right foot, and then span around on the spot to smash it into the roof of Craig Samson’s net with his left. It was a moment of genius from the pair; from McGregor in reading his movement and lobbing the defence, and from Rogic in using his superb touch to control the ball, putting it in the perfect position to rifle it in. The midfielder’s second was a little less outstanding. James Forrest hit a driven effort at Samson, who palmed it into the path of the Aussie. Rogic, again demonstrating his timing, held off Richard Tait and tapped it into the empty net. It completed an excellent game for Rogic, probably the first of many for the campaign.

 

Motherwell can’t afford injuries

Mark McGhee named an almost unchanged line-up to the one that bested Kilmarnock on Saturday, making just three changes as he chose to adopt a more conservative approach against the champions. Brendan Rodgers kept a similar line-up as well, the difference being that he made three substitutions, and all three were making their first competitive outings of the campaign. The Celtic boss introduced Tony Ralston, a right-back who made a good impression on loan at Queen’s Park last season, centre-back Jamie McCart, and Liam Henderson, whose been linked with a return to Hibs. Motherwell, on the other hand, made just one change.

It speaks volumes that McGhee saw fit to make just one change as the game progressed. Lionel Ainsworth, who scored a sublime lob against Killie, came on at the start of the second-half to replace Stevie Hammell. The lack of options on the bench confirmed there was little McGhee could do to change the game. Centre-back Louis Laing has dropped out of favour since McGhee took over, 19-year-old Dylan Mackin has one appearance to his name, 20-year-old David Ferguson made a handful of starts for the Steelmen in 2014/15, Lee Lucas is yet to make his debut, and Dom Thomas still hasn’t been given a decent stretch of games to establish himself. It highlights just how limited a squad McGhee has. Scott McDonald made his second straight start as the lone striker and often found himself isolated. He’s at his best when he’s using his ingenuity to create chances, such as his through ball for Ainsworth’s chip on Saturday. He’s not a penalty box striker, but the fact he’s in that position shows how much the club are missing the recovering Louis Moult. Motherwell can’t afford more injuries.

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.

The revamped League Cup format has been a success

Summer is the enemy of the football fan. That period from June until mid-August when everyone else relaxes in the sun, releasing the pressure built up at work or school, we sit gawping over click-bait articles about transfer rumours conjured up in the imagination of some glorified blogger. Then the unimportant friendlies begin. These are our little fixes – enough to get us to the beginning of the proper football. The clubs might not take them seriously, but that won’t stop us from dissecting them for every second of talking points. Fortunately the SPFL have been kind enough to end that suffering just that little bit earlier this summer.

The revamped Betfred League Cup created enough talking points of its own when it was announced. The SPFL changed the duration of the competition, bringing the final back to November, like it used to be, and introduced a regionalised system and a group stage. The SPFL certainly couldn’t be derided for being stuck in the past; most welcomed these changes, even if some of the regionalisation seemed a little off – Dumbarton in the same group as Peterhead, for instance. But would the alterations make a difference? Could they conjure up excitement about a second-rate domestic competition?

The answer, so far, has not been clear.

With one round of fixtures remaining, five of the eight groups are topped by teams outside the Premiership, including two League One sides in East Fife and Alloa Athletic. Plus, if the tournament were to end now, two of the four second place teams to progress would be from the Championship – although the complex rules regarding second place teams make it a confusing situation to work out. That means, with Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs joining the 12 in the next round, half of those involved in the next round would be from the lower leagues. That’s the same number as the season before. So, despite the grouped nature of the round favouring Premiership sides, who are safe from one-off shock results disrupting their cup run, the lower league teams are still represented. But there’s more to this than just results for the League One and League Two clubs.

13 of the 20 clubs in those two divisions were eliminated from the tournament in the first round last season, and just three of those eliminations took place in front of a home audience. Supporters of Premiership sides might not understand, being used to advancing in at least one of the two cup competitions, but, for fans of lower league sides, cup competitions can be a short adventure. Montrose, for example, crashed out of the League Cup at Easter Road, losing 3-0 to Hibs, and then suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of Lothian Thistle Hutchinson Vale in the Scottish Cup. Two defeats, and two cup exits at the first time of asking. Just one took place at Links Park. The revamped League Cup offers them, and their fans, the chance to spend a little more time in a competition. East Fife are a good example of this at work. A bumper crowd of 1,407 witnessed the League One club besting Dundee on penalties after a one-all draw, a result which the Fifers merited; the travelling support got to see them defeat Dumbarton through on the west coast; and the Methil side then continued their almost-perfect form with a victory over Peterhead. Last season East Fife were one of the two League Two teams to reach the second round of the competition, before losing at home to Motherwell. And, while the tournament should help these lower league sides in this regard, there are also benefits for the Premiership outfits.

Turnover wouldn’t be an adequate description of the transformation Kilmarnock have endured this summer under manager Lee Clark – he introduced eleven fresh recruits in one afternoon. Clark has little time to decide upon his starting eleven prior to the start of the league season, but the introduction of the group stage should be a huge boost to his planning. Rather than trying out his overhauled squad in a number of uncompetitive friendlies, Clark has had the chance to assess his signings in a more testing environment. He wouldn’t have had this leisure in previous summers. This is, of course, an extreme example, but it demonstrates how Premiership sides, should they take the competition seriously, can use these extra fixtures to their advantage.

I, for one, think the rejuvenated format has been a success. We’ve seen more cup upsets than usual, including the elimination of holders Ross County after a 3-2 defeat against Alloa Athletic, and some entertaining ties, like Aidrieonians’ 3-3 thriller against Queen’s Park and Berwick Rangers pushing Kilmarnock to the wire in their 3-2 loss in the last round of games. There will be those who think the group stage reduces the importance of the tournament, and there are legitimate concerns about the three substitutes allowed at a time when most players are returning to fitness – something that can’t be helped because of FIFA rules regarding official tournaments – but, for the most part, it’s proven to be a successful experiment. It should be an example to those in charge of Scottish football that trying out new things can succeed.