- 4 weeks ago
Highlights from the afternoon’s fixtures in the Scottish Premiership, including Hearts v Rangers and Celtic v Aberdeen.
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00:00I
00:30I don't want a lot for Christmas
00:37There is just one thing I need
00:40I don't care about the presents
00:44Only need the Christmas tree
00:47I don't need to make my stockings
00:50We're up on the fire flames
00:54Say the phone will make me happy
00:56It's the top of the Christmas day
01:00You made my wish come true
01:02All I want for Christmas is you
01:08You, baby
01:12Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
01:16Good evening and welcome to the final sports scene
01:18before Santa arrives
01:19and it's sure to be a cracker
01:20with two massive games to enjoy
01:23joining me to impart their expertise
01:25and deliver peace and goodwill
01:27are Jackie McNamara and Michael Stewart
01:30and we start at Tynecastle
01:31where league leaders' hearts are unbeaten this season
01:34Today they took on a Rangers side
01:36looking to close the gap at the top
01:37to six points
01:39It's one of those occasions
01:49when you feel something special is brewing
01:52hearts right back in the groove
01:54and Rangers improving
01:55and unbeaten in 20-25
01:58away from home in the league
01:59A victory for either would be a big statement
02:02and could have a major bearing
02:04on the title race
02:05Denny McInnes is forced into
02:08a couple of changes from the win over Falkirk
02:10with Harry Milne suspended
02:12and Craig Halkett injured
02:14Stephen Kingsley after his fabulous goal last weekend
02:17is a natural replacement for Milne
02:19as is Frankie Kent for Halkett
02:21there's a boost for Rangers in the shape of
02:24Bojan Majofsky's recovery from injury
02:26and two other big players return to the starting line-up as well
02:29in captain James Tavernier and Nico Raskan
02:32Ziga, Curtis and Cermiti
02:34are the players to make way
02:36Fernandes
02:40slips that forward now for Magoma
02:43Kisaridis back with him
02:46he's going round him
02:47Rangers will have the corner
02:50Derek McInnes
02:54and Danny Rule
02:56go head-to-head for the first time
02:59Tavernier to take
03:02decent looking delivery
03:03it's in
03:04Majofsky get a final touch
03:07from Fernandes
03:08his header
03:08Rangers celebrate
03:11Fernandes
03:12taking the plodits
03:14I think Majofsky tapped it home
03:16it's a terrific ball in from Tavernier
03:18Fernandes attacks it
03:20oh
03:20Majofsky could be off here
03:22he's definitely offside
03:28and this looks like it'll be chopped off
03:32and Harts will have a reprieve
03:34no goal
03:39Majofsky denied
03:45doesn't get much tighter than that
03:47and then Shanklin flicks it infield
03:55and Askan gives it straight to Kingsley
03:57it's a little bit untidy at the moment
03:58from both sides really
03:59Diamonde
04:05tries to turn away
04:06from Steinbender
04:08but Harts have it back
04:09now it's Kisaridis
04:11coming infield
04:13and going for goal
04:14yard or so wide
04:18Harts best move of the game
04:21so far
04:22because the radius in between
04:25Magoma and Raskan
04:26favours the right foot
04:29that was a decent effort on the left
04:30and Butlund had to make sure he had it covered
04:33Aarons for Tavernier
04:47and out to Barron
04:49and if he can go Rangers way
04:51to see
04:52to see
04:53Camoma and Raskan
04:56Penalized
04:58to deliver once more
05:02looks too close to the keeper
05:05but it's not
05:06it's Raskan who gets it to it first
05:08but he couldn't divert
05:10the header on target
05:11Raskan will have been marginally offside as well, but should be hitting the target nonetheless.
05:28And just managed to keep it under a bit of pressure.
05:31Raskan brushes Devlin aside.
05:34Now it's Moore, Mikey Moore.
05:38He can get a shot away here, he can, Svalov pushes it away.
05:42Now it comes to Magoma, deflected and wide.
05:50That was a good period of possession there from Rangers.
05:54Moore's effort dealt with reasonably well by Svalov.
06:00And then it was Kent.
06:02Look at the deflection on Magoma's effort.
06:08He'll feel his side need to capitalise while they're on top.
06:12Because Harts are surely going to have a period when they have the better of the game.
06:20It's good play from Harts, and it's Shankland.
06:22Because they need us out wide.
06:24Up against Magoma here.
06:26You get the shot away, Kahn drags it all the way across goal.
06:29His first really good bit of link-up from the Harts forward players.
06:39And Kizariris fancying his chances here.
06:41Pretty tentative at the moment.
06:47Either side wants to give away the first goal loss for sure, but...
06:56Rangers have conceded the corner.
06:58A rather needless one.
07:02And Harts will look to make them pay.
07:05Kizariris this time with the short corner to Braga.
07:11Back to Kizariris, it's Clever.
07:13Ball into the middle, there's the opening goal!
07:15It's Stuart Finlay for Harts!
07:18Brilliantly worked corner.
07:23And Stuart Finlay opens the scorey at Tynecastle.
07:33Really well worked from Harts.
07:35He scored some big goals already this season, Stuart Finlay.
07:39But none might be bigger than that one.
07:42And Finlay found the space he needed.
07:46To plant this beyond Jack Butlin for a fifth goal of the season.
07:51Sheer joy for Derek McInnes and the Harts fans.
07:56As they strike first.
07:59Kingsley.
08:05Run by Fernandes.
08:10Barron.
08:11Completely misses that.
08:13Advantage played there.
08:17Now he goes for the free kick against Barron on Devlin.
08:30Finlay forwards.
08:31One by McIntyre.
08:32Braga nods it down.
08:33Shanklin on the angle.
08:34Oh, he squeezed it in!
08:36Oh, it's Lawrence Shanklin!
08:38How on earth did he beat Jack Butlin from there?
08:41Well, what a few minutes it's been for Harts.
08:45No offside there.
08:50Braga as well.
08:51But Shanklin should never be scoring from there.
08:53Jack Butlin has had an absolute nightmare for Tate knocking away from the strike from Shanklin.
08:55And once again he finds the back of the net against Rangers.
09:10And all of a sudden it's 2-0 Harts.
09:14And they are heading further clear at the top of the table.
09:19It's an important touch from Shanklin, it comes to Barron.
09:29No, and he swipes it well wide.
09:35Barron, not exactly renowned for his goal-scoring ability from the edge of the box.
09:39And it's Shanklin!
09:40Oh, he should have scored!
09:41And that should have been game over.
09:42Well, you'd have put your house on, Lawrence Shanklin.
09:43Slotting that into the bottom corner.
09:44And that's a major let-off for Rangers.
09:45Can't believe it, I'm not sure anyone can.
09:48Bit more tinkering from.
09:49Bit more tinkering from now.
09:50And it's Shankland! Oh, he should have scored!
09:53And that should have been game over.
10:00Well, you'd have put your house on Lauren Shankland,
10:03slotting that into the bottom corner.
10:06And that's a major let-off for Rangers.
10:12Can't believe it, I'm not sure anyone can.
10:15A little bit more tinkering from Danny Rule.
10:20As he tries to plot a way back into this particular contest.
10:25Can't make anything of that corner, though.
10:31Here's Kezeridis, Rangers having to backpedal.
10:34Braga, and it's Lauren Shankland!
10:37Shankland to finish it, surely! Saved by Butland.
10:40And Sterling tighties up.
10:43Well, Hearts have had opportunities to put this game beyond Rangers,
10:50and a couple of them have fallen to that man.
10:53Well, on this occasion, Butland did well.
10:59Well, does anyone really doubt they are title challengers now?
11:02Kizaridis with the corner.
11:09It's a wee header!
11:10And Frankie Kent straight at Butland.
11:13Either side of him, he's got to be scoring.
11:15How does Kent get so much room inside the Rangers penalty area?
11:19Rangers have really fallen apart since conceding.
11:21Here's Moore, though.
11:25Some claims for a handball.
11:27Aarons stands up to the back post.
11:28Can Rangers force it home?
11:30Fernandes frustrated that Majofsky got on his way, in his view.
11:45The Hearts defenders also doing their part to keep Fernandes out.
11:50There's no way that's a penalty.
11:52Raskan for Asghar.
12:02Comes back to Danilo.
12:05Chance for Danilo!
12:06Deflected wide.
12:08Feel kindly for him.
12:13And it's Magnussen who gets in to make the block.
12:16Asghar's delivery.
12:20Fernandes gets the glancing header.
12:24Well wide.
12:26Climbed well.
12:27But direction was lacking.
12:29Rangers with time very much against them.
12:34Look forward by Asghar.
12:39Kent hasn't managed to get that back to his goalkeeper.
12:44Rangers have one back.
12:46Surely it's too late.
12:48As Yusuf Cermiti backs just his second Rangers goal.
12:52Frankie Kent couldn't get enough on the header under pressure from Cermiti.
12:57And at last Rangers have their goal, but surely they don't have time to grab an equaliser.
13:07Hearts have the victory, and what a victory it is.
13:13A massive three points.
13:16Stuart Findlay and Lauren Shankland in five first half minutes.
13:22Putting the game beyond Rangers, who never really looked like recovering.
13:29And though Danny Royal's side started the game well, had a goal chopped off for offside.
13:36They had no response after falling behind.
13:40It finishes at Tynecastle.
13:41Hearts two.
13:42Rangers one.
13:43Rangers one.
13:47A huge win for Hearts.
13:48Putting 12 points between themselves and Rangers and the supporters and Derek McInnes.
13:53Absolutely loving it, Mikey.
13:55People have wondered whether Hearts would drop off, fade away.
13:58I think it's pretty safe to say now that they most definitely haven't.
14:01And it doesn't look like they're going to go away.
14:04No.
14:05I think that's a fair assessment.
14:07Obviously, there was a bit of a drop off, you know, last month.
14:11And they came roaring back with that victory at Parkhead against Celtic.
14:15And three wins out of three in three tough games, you've got to say.
14:18Obviously, Celtic away, Falkirk away.
14:19And now Rangers at home, which I think is a statement victory there today.
14:24Because you've got a sense that Rangers were starting to believe that we're perhaps in a title race.
14:28Had they won at Tynecastle, they'd be three points behind Hearts if they won their game in hand.
14:32Now they're 12 behind.
14:34And it starts to just affect the mentality of, are they going to win that game in hand?
14:38And it's 12 points too big a gap to close up on Hearts.
14:41And I think it probably is.
14:42I think that probably puts Rangers out of the hunt for the title race.
14:45Whereas for Hearts, it puts them front and centre.
14:48It certainly does.
14:49The first goal, Jackie, it was a really well worked set play, wasn't it?
14:52And a fabulous header from Finlay.
14:54Yeah, it's well worked.
14:55A short corner there.
14:56You know, Rangers send one out there.
14:58But he actually could have took it on as well.
15:00He puts it in first time.
15:01It's a fantastic ball.
15:02And I've got to say, that's a fantastic header from Finlay.
15:05And Rangers were disappointed with the marking there.
15:08I think Miofsky starts on him when it first comes in.
15:11And he goes towards the back post area.
15:13You know, to lead for the zonal markers in the middle.
15:16But, you know, take nothing away.
15:18It's a fantastic header.
15:19It's all about the delivery, Mikey, isn't it?
15:22Well, I mean, yes.
15:23Without the delivery, you're never going to be able to make anything out of it.
15:26I mean, the whole thing is well worked.
15:28Obviously, Hearts have got a set piece, coach in.
15:30It's a great link up between Braga and Kazeridis to begin with.
15:34But, yeah, the delivery from Kazeridis is so good that it allows Stuart Finlay, obviously, to go and attack it.
15:40But from Rangers' perspective, they were all over the shot for that corner.
15:45Miofsky was at the back post.
15:47The structure to begin with, there's three Rangers players trying to mark four Hearts players.
15:52They're outnumbered.
15:53That's why Miofsky is confused as to who he's going with.
15:55Probably, in hindsight, you should have stuck with Finlay because he's the most dangerous.
15:58But a free run for Stuart Finlay in a cross like that, it was only going to end up with one thing.
16:03And that was in the back of the net.
16:04Lauren Shanklin is having a great season, Jackie.
16:06On the score sheet again today, his ninth goal of the season.
16:10It's a really good finish from a tight angle, but Jack Butlin, you know, he's got to do better.
16:14Yeah, I think he anticipates it.
16:17You actually see Sterling that goes back towards the middle of his goals there,
16:21instead of to say, you're not going to shoot from there.
16:24You know, and Butlin, as if he doesn't move his foot there,
16:27it's like he was trying to get with his knee.
16:29You know, but I think Shanklin had a few chances there.
16:33He had a few chances today.
16:35That was probably his hardest chance that he scored with.
16:38But Butlin obviously won't like to see that back.
16:41You know, he had a few good saves in the game.
16:43Butlin, he keep them in it.
16:45Hearts are a side that have got goals and difference makers in it.
16:49You know, you look at that front three in particular, Shanklin and Braga and Kisaridis,
16:54you can see that clip there exactly where Jack Butlin's foot would have been
16:57if he just kept it where it was and it probably would have blocked it.
17:00You know, the biggest thing for me with this today is that
17:03that for me wasn't even Hearts playing at their best.
17:06You know, especially opening 20 minutes or so,
17:09I thought they were looking a little bit unsure.
17:11A few changes were made and they came right back into the game
17:14and they showed a lot of intensity and energy.
17:16But you hear Derek McInnes talking a lot about how there's more to come for the team.
17:20And I watched that and I think to myself, there is, there really is.
17:23But what they've always got is they've got good balance in the team.
17:26They've got a defence that are solid and well structured
17:29and they've got guys at the top end of the park who can make the difference out of very little.
17:33OK, let's now hear from the Hearts manager Derek McInnes.
17:36I thought we were good value for the two goal victory.
17:40But obviously you've got to keep doing the right things.
17:43We're a wee bit annoyed with a goal we lost.
17:44But if you're going to lose a goal with a 2-0 lead,
17:46let's do it with 10 seconds to go.
17:48So I've never been as grateful to see that final whistle go so quickly.
17:53But as you say, I thought we were good value for it.
17:55The bigger the game, the bigger the performance it's been.
17:57The players are turning up and they've been an absolute pleasure to work with.
18:01Pleasure to see them improving. Pleasure to see the place the way it was at the end.
18:05Knowing there's a bit more in us.
18:07And it's important that we all recognise that we're not quite at the halfway stage.
18:11But improvements, I think, still need to come from us.
18:15It's important we come out of January window a bit stronger again.
18:19But it's important that the players here sense that we have to keep working hard
18:24and keep looking to improve.
18:26He's doing a fabulous job. It's Derek McInnes, Mikey.
18:30In his midfield today, Cammy Devlin.
18:32I mean, the whole team put in an absolute power of work.
18:35But Cammy Devlin and Thomas Magnussen were everywhere in there.
18:38Yeah, they were.
18:39There's been a slight change of late, probably going back to the Celtic game,
18:43where he put McEntee in the middle of the park alongside Magnussen and Devlin.
18:47And the three of them are all full of energy.
18:49This was the first real good move from Harps.
18:51And it was a really good move.
18:53Kisaridis just choking the shot slightly in the end.
18:56But the power of work that the midfield three in particular,
18:59we're highlighting the two here because these are the two that got involved.
19:02Scrappy at times.
19:03But you just know and expect from them that they're going to be first at every second ball.
19:08And if they're not, their teammate will be right in there to pick up the loose balls as well.
19:12And it just creates such a suffocating feeling for the opponents, especially at Tyne Castle.
19:18Because look, we've all played there.
19:20You know it's so tight.
19:22And coupled with the fact you've got these three guys that are breathing down your neck,
19:26it doesn't give the team any chance to relax or settle on the ball.
19:30And I think that is key to a lot of the success that Harps have built up.
19:34I've already spoken about obviously the defence is very solid.
19:37The front line have got difference makers.
19:39The final piece to that is of course the midfield.
19:41I wouldn't say they are...
19:43They're not technically brilliant players.
19:44They're not overly creative.
19:46They're not technically fantastic.
19:48But the balance of the team works so well.
19:51They do a phenomenal job for the team, Jackie, don't they in there?
19:54They do.
19:55I think just their energy, you know, anything that's there, they're first to it.
19:58They make sure they get it and support the defence, help the defence.
20:01But also they're really quick to help the attacking side as well.
20:04The good thing for Derek today is, you know, a couple of players missing.
20:08The Hulk has been excellent this season.
20:10Then Kent comes in, Kingsley comes in as well.
20:12So that will be a pleasing thing for them.
20:15There's not been any disruption to the way they've played today.
20:17Because I thought Harps thoroughly deserved to win.
20:20Even I thought the scoreline flattered Rangers a little bit.
20:24OK, that was Danny Rule's first league defeat.
20:26Let's hear what we had to say about it.
20:29Of course we are disappointed.
20:31We want to win this game.
20:33We knew before that it will be a tough place to come.
20:36I felt until the first conceded goal we were good in the game.
20:41Both teams played good football.
20:43We were good organised.
20:45We had our moments there at the moment.
20:47But there was not so much on from both sides.
20:49And then we conceded two goals very quick.
20:53And did change the game.
20:55Then it's tough to come back.
20:58Now we have to react well.
21:00I think this is also crucial.
21:01I said this many times.
21:03It's steps forward.
21:04Today it was a little bit a step sidewards.
21:07And this is what we have to improve.
21:09Finally, Danny, how much work is needed in January to get the squad that you want?
21:14Yeah, we should keep the good things from our squad we have.
21:18And then we have to look what we can bring as an impact from outside.
21:22January is special.
21:23But let's work with my players.
21:26I see the improvements.
21:28And in the future we have a chance to win such a game if we continue this work.
21:33A really big January transfer window coming up for Danny Real.
21:37Jackie, Chumiti got a goal back for Rangers by that point in time.
21:41You know, the game's done.
21:42There's literally seconds left.
21:43Yeah.
21:44Yeah.
21:45Obviously, I'd be pleased to contribute with a goal.
21:47But, you know, coming on as a sub.
21:49But Rangers, I just think, lack real creativity in their team.
21:53You know, I think a lot of pressure gets put on their strikers.
21:56But they're not really creating a lot of chances or opportunities for them to score.
22:01I mean, that's just a punt up the park, if you like, from, I think it was Asuka that put it up there.
22:06And it's, you know, Kencher had dealt with it better.
22:08Probably, yeah.
22:09But kind of flattered Rangers in the end.
22:11Danny Rule is, you know, he's done an incredible job so far because he stopped the bleeding initially.
22:17He's then picked up results, not through brilliant performances, but that's not a bad trait to have.
22:23But I think today has shown the deficiencies that are in Rangers.
22:27But he's not afraid to try things either, though.
22:28You know, today changed formation at half-time.
22:30He's bringing on loads of positive substitutions, but they didn't have the impact they would want.
22:34No, they didn't, but that's what I was just saying.
22:35It shows the deficiencies that are in the squad.
22:37There's only so much that the manager can do when, you know, as Jackie's talking about in terms of a lack of creativity,
22:42you can go back to the summer transfer window because that is the source of a lot of the problems
22:46that Rangers are experiencing here.
22:49That, you know, you spend, I think, four and a half million on Asgard, for example, and he came on.
22:54Asgard, for me, when you look at him, you say, good stature, technically a good player,
22:58but he doesn't ever have an impact on the game.
23:00To me, I'm not sure he understands what his strengths are and how he can influence the game.
23:04Gisama obviously had a bright start to his Rangers career, but then tailed off.
23:08And the whole time, the club and the team feels like it's in flux.
23:12Danny Rule needs to have an important January window to bring in some players that will then fit into his system.
23:18And fundamentally as well, he's got to pray that John Suter and Cornelius get themselves back quickly
23:23because Hearts, as I've mentioned already, are a team that can suffocate and get right after the opponents.
23:28And I thought they exposed the fragility of that backline, Rangers.
23:31Another massive game for Hearts next week, Jackie.
23:34The Edinburgh Derby through it, east of the road.
23:36If they can go and win that one, then it really sets down another marker for them, doesn't it?
23:40It does. As Mikey said, they have a fantastic, you know, three games, big games there,
23:47and a couple of draws in just before that, and everybody's kind of questioning
23:51if they've got the bottle to stay up there or, you know, the players to do that and strengthen in January,
23:56which, you know, today has showed a big side to Hearts today.
24:03You know, just the overall performance, but handling that expectation,
24:07and that will please Derek, you know, that have come through with that with the three points.
24:11That will do.
24:13Celtic take on Aberdeen now in a game that Wilfred Nancy really could do with winning.
24:20Celtic find themselves in unfamiliar territory, navigating through terrain that they rarely travel through.
24:27Which of the current stars will shine brightest and guide them today?
24:32Aberdeen are no strangers to the wilderness themselves,
24:35but they've had great direction recently through a seven-game unbeaten domestic spell.
24:41For Celtic, it's the same question as posed before.
24:44Is today the day that Wilfred Nancy gets off the mark?
24:47There's no Rio Hattati today.
24:49Paolo Bernardo moves onto the bench.
24:51So two changes from the side that lost at Tanner Ice.
24:54In come Benjamin Negrin and Arna Engels.
24:57All six of Aberdeen's European opponents progressed in the Conference League.
25:02Aberdeen returned from Prague on the back of defeat.
25:05Five changes made.
25:06Out goes Shinny, Povara, Clarkson, Nisbet, Dorrington.
25:09In come Nicky Devlin, Topi Keskinen, Stuart Armstrong, Marko Lazatic and Alexander Jensen.
25:15Corner goalkeeper was in and it's fired wide.
25:27Doesn't mind it.
25:28Well, the chance he's following his way this season, he certainly would have finished last season.
25:34Nisbet took it out of his goalkeeper's hands and doesn't mind it.
25:39Fired it wide.
25:41Oh, McGregor leading the charge.
25:46Right in the corner it goes.
25:48McCowan, there's a little pass on to Negrin, trying to get past Mel.
25:51Mitoff, I think that hit him straight in the face.
25:55And behind it goes.
25:58Celtic, another little passing around the edge of the box.
26:03That's a sore one for the goalie.
26:08I'm sure he's had better Desimbers.
26:17Given away by Mitoff, here comes Celtic, Kenny!
26:24Well, simply through, these are simple chances Celtic have to take.
26:28And Johnny Kenny simply has to score.
26:32And Celtic build again.
26:35Yang.
26:40Still going Yang, Jensen went with him.
26:45Wish they got the ball away.
26:47And Keskaden, they have no options in front of him.
26:52And Logan tried to be too clever.
26:56Closed down.
26:57Here comes Celtic, Maidan to the middle.
26:59Benjamin Negrin converts!
27:02It's Celtic's 11th chance of the afternoon.
27:07And it's the first one they take.
27:15Loben couldn't get rid of it.
27:17And Celtic were ruthless.
27:19Well, ruthless, Maidan cut it back.
27:22And Negrin rolled it into the net.
27:25Nice play by Yang.
27:26Threw by Luke McCowan.
27:28Sweet goal from Celtic, from the Swedes.
27:32And Celtic need it home for the first time under Wilfred Nossi.
27:37Carlsen, Keskenen, Keskenen trying to get the better of Ralston.
27:47Steps over him, drives it in!
27:49And Schmeichel with a hand.
27:51Well, he's tricky, pulled it back.
27:58Just another corner.
28:03Clipped into the edge of the area, Carson.
28:08Got it away.
28:09Comes back again!
28:10Deflected.
28:11And it came off.
28:13A red.
28:18Second effort wasn't a million miles away either.
28:20Aberdeen.
28:25Have to try and keep Celtic at bay here.
28:27Oh, this could be put beyond them.
28:28Lovely angle.
28:29Ball in.
28:30Loben back down the middle.
28:31Chance rolled up!
28:32Mitoff denies.
28:35McCowan.
28:38Oh, Luke.
28:39Luke's to the heavens.
28:42I thought he rolled that away nicely.
28:44He came from two down last season to get a point.
28:53One down at the moment.
28:54Can they find an equaliser before the break?
28:59Schmeichel with a punch.
29:00Loben back across.
29:01Nelson was chasing.
29:02Oh, sheesh.
29:03Keskinen.
29:04Great cut back.
29:05Mill got the touch.
29:06And McCowan did so well.
29:07Mitoff is short.
29:08Midas going through.
29:09Loben said he didn't touch him.
29:10But he's gone.
29:12Well, Aberdeen think there was cover.
29:13But you could see what was going through the mind of the young defender.
29:27And on his 10th Aberdeen appearance, it's his first red card.
29:33see what was going through the mind of the young defender and on his 10th Aberdeen appearance
29:40it's his first red card as it stands
29:47well Mitov opened up the pass was woefully shot it was going to be a certain goal
29:54and Lohmann immediately turned and said he didn't catch him i'm not sure he did
30:00well on that angle i think this will be overturned
30:09but the confirmation is that the arm across was enough and Aberdeen are down to 10.
30:20look mcowen yeah they're across trusty goodsey
30:24well austin trusty was there and thought he'd scored
30:32migran saved by the goalkeeper mcgregor and it's another save by Mitov
30:53well mcgregor applauds the pass the Aberdeen defenders applaud the goalkeeper
30:57migran across there was the first save and the second coming across
31:04well there's no doubt he's a first-class shot stopper
31:18here's negrin chips it across and off the frame
31:21well the goalkeeper looked cool there but i'll tell you what he was worried
31:31engels that's off the frame as well
31:39well there was arnie engels teasing the ball across
31:42it's interesting being urged to shoot that's not really his thing couldn't deal he scored the odd great
31:50goal and he's set up as well but again celtic straight the woodwork
31:57second goal's not coming yet
32:00well having hit the right hand upright a couple of times it was celtic's turn to hit the other one
32:05angles with the header and he genuinely thought he'd score
32:09tierney brilliant ball in and almost everything right
32:19celtic moving forward again and again three players just sitting off
32:24benjamin negrin
32:26trusty pretty much playing in midfield mind to set him up
32:35the ted man working hard jamfee was a little pool there
32:40needs to be careful
32:42shitty
32:51i'm strong again involved
32:57great play by myda paterson does enough through the middle it goes here's the chance for the equaliser
33:05well aberdeen score but it's an absolute heist
33:12they have been battered by celtic all of this second half but a simple ball through the middle
33:22mililowicz what a celebration
33:25carthensson slid the ball through
33:34mililowicz finished it nicely
33:40goalkeeper got a touch couldn't keep it out celtic absolutely undone through the middle
33:47and with 50 minutes to play the 10 men are level
33:57mcgregor
34:00ralston
34:01well saw the opportunity they sent off him
34:12scales
34:16myda kept his balance mcgregor
34:18celtic always finding the spare man it is 11 against 10
34:24brilliantly crossed in and kevin tierney will score
34:27his third goal of his career against aberdeen likely lands the first goal points for will
34:40for it nancy
34:42aberdeen have defended so well
34:44but undone by a simple cross
34:47donovan in no clearance
34:51shin missed it
34:52myda missed it
34:53tierney didn't
34:55celtic two
34:57aberdeen one
34:59donovan's cross
35:01tierney's finish
35:02and the sigh of relief
35:04huge
35:07kieran tierney
35:09scored important goals for club and country
35:13nigran
35:14comes through
35:15man on the overlap there's the chance to pull it back
35:21and for the 17th straight season as a celtic player
35:26james forest finds the back of the net and he seals today victory against aberdeen
35:35celtic simply overloaded
35:38mcgregor pulled it back and he wasn't going to miss from there
35:44james forest rounds off the scoring celtic three aberdeen one
35:56and finally the frenchman can smile
36:02so they look at the finish strongly
36:06tierney on the angle deflected off the crossbar
36:12well they've hit right they've had left now they've hit top
36:15wilfred nancy gets his first three points
36:23and his first victory as celtic manager is taken to game number five
36:28it was an uncomfortable old afternoon when aberdeen equalized
36:33benjamin negan having giving celtic the lead at halftime
36:37but two familiar celtic figures kieran tierney and james forest
36:43rode to celtic
36:45rescue
36:47they struck the woodwork they forced fine saves from dimitar mitov
36:52and in the end celtic will say they thoroughly deserved it
36:56it is finished it's celtic park celtic back to winning ways
37:00ending a run of four straight games without a victory it's finished celtic three abedin one
37:07well after today's games just the two of them today this is how the table looks
37:15hearts win has them six ahead of celtic who are in second but have a game in hand rangers
37:20are in fourth on 29 points and aberdeen in sixth place tonight jackie um it's been it's been a brutal
37:28start for wilfred nancy there's no doubt about that um he gets his first win today how confident are you
37:33you that you can build on that and improve this celtic team um i don't know what confident would be
37:40the word uh i think there's important one for them today you know they could have won a few games the
37:45chances they had yeah you know they've not taken them and when aberdeen get equaliser you're thinking
37:52we've seen this story before but the good thing is they've got the goals in the end which but it
37:57should have been more comfortable um a lot of it kind of you know you'll be finding out about his
38:02players over this and his system what he's this will be his first week that he can you know he's not
38:08got a midweek game a full week to train and to work some stuff christmas to do but uh no i think
38:16he'll be relieved more anything you know it has been a tough you know the the game the other night
38:21at tandice was was not nice watching it you know the stuff at the end when he's you know just come
38:27over here it's been a tough start for the guy and you know hope for that he'll be pleased with today's
38:32result that is for sure mike let's look at the late goals that won the game for him it's his old stagers
38:38tierney and forest forest with his 17th consecutive goal in a season for celtic phenomenal yeah 17th
38:44season that he scored it's quite incredible but i mean this was a huge one as jackie said i mean look
38:50celtic had a you know a plethora of opportunities that went a beg and hit in the post so many times
38:56that's a huge goal i mean it could well be a you know defining goal for uh for wilfred nonce i thought
39:02this was brilliant from cal mcgregor the determination to get up on the overlapping run from knee grin and then
39:07james forest knows exactly where to be holds his ground perfectly for the cutback from
39:12from cal mcgregor this was a really good goal a really good goal but um you know it was a tough
39:17one for aberdeen because they've had that midweek game and away against the prague they've come back
39:24to you know play against celtic and they're down to 10 men they're one nil down and credit to them
39:29because they they stuck in there yes they rode their luck a little bit to a certain extent with celtic
39:33missing a number of chances but to get it to 1-1 as jackie said you did start to think
39:39this is this is potentially this could be curtains if they're not able to turn it around but they did
39:45longer term there's still so many things for the manager to to sort out because
39:51as you'll see with the aberdeen goal celtic are far too easy to play against in the transition one pass
39:58through the team and that's you know that's got nothing to do with missing chances at the other end
40:03that's gifting opportunities to the opposition and that happens in every game yeah you mentioned
40:07the the chances that celtic missed today 31 shots they had in the game 10 on target the finishing has
40:12got to be better than this jackie yeah you can see with kenny i think you know kenny i thought kenny
40:17could have had at least three today three very very good chances you expect him to score um you know
40:24and you can tell that he's just needing a goal for his confidence but uh i thought mitov had some
40:31fantastic success he did have a great game up well obviously apart from the error that was there with
40:35the sending off you know you've done a lot of fantastic that was a fantastic for mcgregor there
40:41um but yeah kenny alone three i don't think three's been unkind no no there was and there was so many
40:50for the whole team you know yeah maeda had a few that one just gets hit in the ground slightly it
40:55gives me to have a chance but taking that away because it's still a great save but that unfortunately
41:00for uh aberdeen was you know that a bit of the um the story for me to have some really good saves but
41:07with the ball his feet there's a few times you know in the last few games where he's causing some
41:12problems for the the back line when he's trying to play the ball out but um you know you see that
41:17clip there you've got austin trusty who's stepping in as the the deepest player and he's probably 30
41:23yards from the the aberdeen goal and it's not to say that you know you should be um critical of that
41:29but for me if he's doing that you then have to have somebody else that has some you know greater
41:37depth to the game because teams will start to recognize that well they have recognized it because
41:42all you need to do against that is literally just play the ball apart and it becomes a foot race
41:47a foot race to run through on the uh the celtic goal okay wilford nancy will sleep easier tonight
41:53let's hear what you thought of the game this is a bad consistency this is about coherence this is
41:59about performance and after that we see the outcome the outcome could have been better uh uh since i
42:06came here but we like as you know we lost our mini games but uh but the performance was really good
42:12performance at the same time and today really good performance and this moment we score the goal so
42:17difficult to explain certain things so that's why i like to put to to stay on the process to see
42:22every time improvements and to see what we need to get better and tonight good for the players just to
42:28validate the what they did because i know that it was not easy for them uh today was the nine game like
42:35i said in 28 games in 28 days sorry so so difficult so difficult we're gonna have a normal week
42:42for the first time after 28 days so that's why i love my player for that okay jackie uh celtic down
42:51the left-hand side today you felt as though that's where they had a lot of success yeah i thought they
42:54started well down there and made a gotten behind them a few times you know my current kept coming
43:01inside a little bit and keeping that space just to wait a pass and this was kenny's first chance i
43:06think he's he's got to bury that you know i don't know if he tries to get himself a bit more yeah i i
43:12just think he's got to commit to it a bit better yeah it looks like he's trying to take it with his studs
43:17there and you see that and behind that was the area they kept getting in behind and obviously leads to
43:24the the first goal so it's a perfect weight a pass from mcowen
43:31it's coming up so every time that that's where they're causing aberdeen most problems especially
43:36as you say the start of the first half yeah i mean you know as much as wilfred nancy said criticism
43:41michael um you can't be criticized his team are creating chances here and yeah i mean that's a great
43:47goal but you don't see that goal there i mean that and ultimately you'll see it with the uh
43:51the third goal as well getting in behind the opposition with cutbacks you know you can throw
43:56as many crosses as you want from deep there's so many teams that they'll have their centre-halves in
44:01position and they'll deal with cross balls but once you get in behind and you're hitting the byline
44:04and cutbacks it changes the defensive side of things massively Maeda wide on the left makes a huge
44:10difference yeah Dylan Loban he was sent off shame for a young player here but he was fairly
44:15stitched up by his goalkeeper just a little bit i mean this comes back to what i was saying before
44:19about you know this is not the the first time just of late meet up with the body's feet it's just
44:26it's not great and absolutely that he just plays his defender short and i've got a great deal of
44:32sympathy for Dylan Loban as well here because he doesn't pull him down but he does catch Dyson Maeda
44:38and i can understand why he's feeling like he shouldn't be sent off because he consciously i don't
44:42think he's done anything but just as Maeda cuts across him you'll see that his right knee catches
44:49Maeda just in the calf and that's what throws him off balance and eventually leads to Maeda losing his
44:54footing but just here his right knee into the back of his calf and then he loses his balance after this
44:59Maeda so unfortunately for him it probably is the right decision and certainly he's been stitched up by
45:06his keeper there big time it has um Aberdeen's goal i mean as mikey pointed out earlier on jackie it
45:12was just so easy for them wasn't it yeah it was and i think that'll be a disappointing thing especially
45:1710 men you know there's there wasn't any danger even at this point Maeda comes back and does really
45:22well getting back in you look he's going to win it there you can see their skills is kind of gambling
45:28well and keeping his position and if he gets a hold of the ball then yeah you can go and by all
45:33means but even then you're playing left center half there's no need for him to make that run yeah
45:37and it him making that run gives him the space and if he stays where he was um that's not a goal
45:44it's not there yeah picking the ball up see the incredible thing for me is that you can clearly see
45:50this is what Wilfred Nancy wants he wants his his side of his center halves the right and left side to
45:55bomb forward at will so that to me seems as if that's the instructions for you know liam scales
46:01that as soon as we win that ball bomb get on your bike regardless of what's behind you yeah yeah
46:05which i just think is naive and it's not good football because that goal doesn't get scored
46:11if as jackie said if liam scales holds his position there's already about five folk in front of the
46:15ball by the way from celta why do you then need the left center half to be bombing forward i don't
46:20understand that okay let's hear from Aberdeen manager jimmy tilling
46:23i think the start of the game we didn't approach the game really what we prepared for like we were
46:30on the back foot from minute one i think a Celtic were on top of us and we get put ourselves in a
46:38difficult situation i think we can do better how we attack the game in this way but it's something we
46:43have to keep working on and how we attack these games away um then of course the red card and the start
46:52of the second half uh we're a little bit lucky and also of course on good saves but also you need
46:58some luck in this moment uh the first 10 12 minutes in the second half but then we survived that moment
47:04and grew into the second half and played better and better more not that we created so many chances
47:11but you're more stable in the defense and you know the transition always be there and then kjartan and
47:15kjartan and did really well in that moment and it gave us the chance to grab a point and i think from
47:20that point of view i'm proud of the players and then of course in the end it was tough to get
47:26even if the obel reserve a celtic but we really really push for it more football on the way for
47:32you to enjoy across the bbc uh scottish football roundup is available tomorrow that is monday isn't it
47:37yes uh online swpl highlights are with jane on monday at 7 15. hibbs v hearts on saturday that's 12
47:46coverage on radio scotland and i'll be here with the highlight six games next saturday starting from
47:527 15 pm okay let's have a wee look at the best bits from yesterday's games
47:57it comes from ferry it's one by bowie come back to ferry though i'm gonna try and get this on the
48:10left foot if possible and the end does cross in the right that's a pretty decent ball it's waters
48:16and it's stevenson and there is the opening goal
48:20and look at stevenson who got the two at easter road in the three all draw
48:26opens the scoring at taradise
48:31salinger saw it late and couldn't get down in time to keep it out
48:41cadden is looking for a yard of space to get the cross in instead he goes back the way to
48:48iredale this time he'll deliver it's a great ball must be
48:52well bowie somehow doesn't connect and then boyle's taken by surprise
49:02he can't ask for a better ball in it's a massive chance gonna begging for hibernian
49:08there's nikki cadden flicked on boyle with the finish and there's the equaliser
49:18rifled home by martin boyle
49:20wonderful strike and boyle who wasn't going to miss that one
49:27kept the head down and lashed it beyond richards for his eighth goal of the season
49:33this link gets it forward
49:39trapanoski denied a moment ago and just right with that one
49:45probably didn't quite catch it as he would have liked
49:47he's not too far away from finding the bottom corner
49:51they've got some space to work in here dundee struggling and mccracken
50:03makes the save with his foot and it's the first sight of goal really in the match
50:09in the blink of an eye it's what mother will can do to you
50:12shake of the head from mccracken perhaps with the ease with which that mother will be able to
50:19make their way into his box there
50:25here's what just
50:33saeed good ball henry straight at mccracken
50:36and the knocking on the door is getting louder and louder how long can dundee withstand this
50:46kraken beats it away they're getting closer
50:50finding her here goes long alone first thing i've got to get up there
50:58it's putting some shift down that left side here's what
51:02what
51:06faddinger
51:10longolo
51:16saeed
51:19indeed with everyone behind the ball just about there
51:21and finally mother will make the breakthrough and it's callum slattery
51:37with a massive goal it's a fine header from slattery mccracken will be annoyed he's been beaten by that he was moving the other way
51:52lindaloo fantastic work has so much space
51:57sent in and the strike and jonah ayunga eventually scores this afternoon
52:03now livingston aren't happy finlayson is down after the lindaloo broke away
52:17it's a punishing near post strike from ayunga
52:21there's a few looks towards the referee here and chris graham is being sent to the monitor
52:30ver advising he takes another look finlayson makes his point to the assistant
52:37let's view this one again
52:39now the arm comes up but it's a very slow reaction from finlayson
52:43it's not taking too long and the referee disallows the goal
52:52st mirin fans are becoming sick of vier
52:56another goal disallowed in paisley
53:03he's made his moves with the substitutions and now here's john and it's mandron
53:08and michael mandron scores
53:13st mirin get the goal they deserve and he's much happier now
53:23more st mirin celebrations livingston just didn't take note of that earlier warning
53:29ver saved them that time
53:31this time this time st mirin are ahead
53:36and it's the frenchman michael mandron
53:39at the center of it after a wonderful delivery from declan john
53:50graham striding forwards only one thought in his mind here
53:55one thought in the corner comfortable for all the way you meet
54:02john mcglynn the apple of the folkert fans eyes
54:07and that's neatly worked for kilty john jules gets it under control blocked brown huge chance
54:13and that's nice
54:22watson oh that's nice
54:28slaloms forward david watson lions it sits up
54:35watchful scott bain as comfortable that was drifting wide
54:43he's invited forward here finds john jules
54:53who gets it back
54:55that's deflected kilty
54:59it just won't go in for kamornek
55:06kamornek came onto a game at the end of the first half
55:11fall court rampaging forward here miller gives it to yates the substitute
55:16wilson and there's brian graham
55:21and the veteran striker strikes first blood in this game
55:29it is such a wounding goal for kilmarnick to concede they're on they're on
55:33and it is brilliant center forward play in between the width of the pulse great touch
55:43short finish
55:45and falkirk's four game goal drought in the premiership is over
55:49and it's the man who scored their last one who gets this to
55:51into seven minutes of stoppage time
56:00can come on find the finishing touch only one place this is going
56:04brannan over the top from dakars buries his face in the astroturf
56:11lots to talk about from yesterday but uh i've already done it last night we've only got a minute jackie
56:17so uh motherwell they set third on the table at christmas not bad going that
56:21it's fantastic i think uh this year they've been
56:25so so entertaining joy to watch their football and they've thoroughly delivered to be where they
56:31are just now and i don't think they're a good watch motherwell big game coming up for them next
56:34weekend mikey they play rangers who are fourth on the table just behind them yeah i mean obviously
56:39they're a point ahead just now and play the game more if they're able to win the ibrox you know
56:42four ahead of rangers at that stage and wouldn't put the pastor because they're a team that can can
56:47go anywhere control the game create opportunities and as jackie said that just you know i think
56:52they've been an absolute breath of fresh air a fantastic team and you know all credit to jensbert
56:57i'll ask you certainly not fear going there that's for sure and that is it for tonight thank you
57:02very much to jackie and to mikey for joining me and from everybody here in the sports scene team we
57:08wish you a very very merry christmas goodbye
57:22look to the future now it's only just begun
57:34so here it is
57:36merry christmas everybody's having fun
57:42look to the future now look to the future now look to the future now
57:48look to the future now it's only just begun