'Flat' Old Firm & split opinion on Valakari's future - top-flight fan views

There were plenty of talking points and no shortage of goals in the weekend's Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Champions Celtic took a point away from Ibrox thanks to Adam Idah's deflected strike, extending Rangers' winless home run to seven matches.

Hibernian delivered a fine attacking display to beat Dundee United 3-1 at Easter Road.

That result, combined with Aberdeen's 1-0 defeat by St Mirren means David Gray's side are three points clear in the race for third place.

In the bottom six, St Johnstone were beaten 2-0 by Kilmarnock, further denting their slim survival hopes.

There were also wins for Hearts at Ross County and Motherwell at Dundee.

We asked for your views and here are the best of them.

Doubts over Ferguson & Celtic fans want reinforcements

After another home game without a win, Rangers fans want to see significant changes this summer.

Michael: Number one priority this summer is tying Nicolas Raskin down to a long-term deal. Head and shoulders above everyone else on Sunday and a constant bright light in an otherwise shocker of a season. Bring on this takeover and let's begin this monumental rebuild - there is a lot of deadwood in the squad that needs to be moved on.

Fraser: I don't know if Barry Ferguson can attract the quality of player that Rangers need. For me it has to be Jose Mourinho.

Barry: Have to move on. Ferguson should be a coach or even assistant but can't seriously consider him for the job. Woefully short of quality. We turn up for every Old Firm game and European fixtures but can't beat Hibs, St Mirren, Aberdeen etc.

Stephen: Failure to kill them off cost us dear. As for giving Ferguson the job full time? No.

Kevin: Dominated the first half and should have been at least two goals up. Gave away a soft goal but still had the better chances. Showed we can go toe to toe with them but need to get rid of the deadwood and hopefully we can get the takeover done ASAP. It is not as big a gap to Celtic as what people think.

Meanwhile, Celtic supporters have doubts over whether certain players have the required quality to start next season.

Paul: Celtic should've won this game, several decisive opportunities spurned, although Rangers had a few chances themselves. The jury is still out on Adam Idah, he still has a lot improve on to appease the Celtic support but his goal was well taken. The draw wasn't a fair result in the end though.

Ray: Pretty flat with two poor teams on the day. Celtic seriously need a partner for Cameron Carter-Vickers and midfield and wide players were easily snuffed out once again. Don't seem to learn that Rangers know how to stop Celtic playing. Bit of a damp squib.

Andrew: Liam Scales has cost us too many times in big games. Idah has the attributes but needs to work harder. Need a better centre-back and centre-forward than them for next season for a start. Avoiding defeat at Ibrox is never a bad thing, but it feels like an opportunity missed given the balance of play.

Liam: If Brendan Rodgers or any fans are going to lay their hat on Idah being our main number nine next season, we will regress. He was poor for most of the game. His lack of football intelligence is baffling when you compare to what has gone before. Scales and Reo Hatate also continue to fail to consistently hit the heights we need. I expect a few changes in the summer and they are needed to try to improve this group.

Shaun: I still think Idah isn't good enough, he hasn't shown the required hunger and determination. There are a few players who need to leave like Schmeichel, Trusty, Scales, McCowan and Engels. Sinisalo was outstanding and should be number one. There are too many bit-part players at the club who need to go and it will free up a lot of wages to bring in a better calibre of player.

'Excellent' Hibs take charge in race for third

Hibs fans were delighted with both the performance and result against Dundee United.

George: Great all-round performance. Back in the formation that, quite simply, works for these players. United had a good 20 minutes early in the second half when they scored their goal, but we didn't look like losing this at any juncture. Big one next week but we look strong and organised so we'll give Celtic a game.

John: Brilliant and essential win in the race for third. Hibs were excellent in the first half and deserved to be ahead. Utd had to improve and they did for a spell but David Gray got his subs spot on - as he usually does - and they helped turn the tide back in Hibs' favour.

Allan: First half was exactly what was needed after last weekend. Controlled, disciplined, and simply better all over the park. The players were excellent in their attitude and desire to win. Third place is very much ours to lose.

Rory: David Gray has done something with this team that's so rare - we're calm and consistent, like the man himself. We don't feel panicked when we lose a goal and when our unbeaten run came to an end, we answered with a win the next week, which is more than can be said for some teams. November feels like so long ago.

In contrast, followers of United were disappointed with their defensive mindset at Easter Road.

Eddie: Setting your team up not to lose isn't the same as setting your team up to win a game. Far too often Jim Goodwin has had to change the team and system at half-time due to him setting up far too defensively.

David: I think it was the wrong decision from the manager to tell players their contract was not being extended before the season was finished. Players are less likely to give 100% and risk injury if they think they'll have to find another club when the season is over. I think that was evident with Declan Gallagher against Hibs. He's been great all season but made some glaring mistakes.

Gordon: United need to win against St Mirren. Just break this dreary run. We have the tools just need to put a performance together, we cannot be as poor defensively as we were at Easter Road. Onwards and definitely upwards!

Denis: Another poor team selection by the manager. The January signings have all been very disappointing. When we reached the top six we were in a strong position to finish third but are now looking over our shoulder at St Mirren who can beat us to fifth. Hopefully we don't see a repeat of zero wins after the split. Some serious recruitment required.

Stephen Robinson and Mikael Mandron were both praised after St Mirren's win over Aberdeen.

Peter: Well done Saints, the team played with the passion and spirit we know they have in abundance. Mika Mandron said in an interview during the week that he goes to training with a smile on his face and laughs all day. That mindset was evident throughout the whole team and Aberdeen have their keeper to thank for holding us to the one goal win.

Graham: Saints ran themselves into the ground, this team that Stephen Robinson has put together on a shoestring displays all the attributes a supporter of a provincial club would look for. Their togetherness and fight for the club and the supporters is phenomenal. I hope we get Europe again and for me Robinson is head and shoulders above every manager in the division.

Chris: Mandron signing a new deal is massive business for us. He leads the line so effectively and has a touch of class with his finishing. We weren't at our best and, to be fair, Aberdeen were strong at the start of the match. I agree with the manager that we weren't at our best but we got the job done and Europe is well within our reach again. It's make or break at Tannadice next week and I can't wait for the challenge, we'll be so up for it!

Aberdeen fans were able to take positives despite an underwhelming display in Paisley.

Pete: Seemed like typical end of season fare. We were didn't seem as hungry as the Saints and the disallowed goal really seemed to hamper our confidence. Considering the ups and downs of this campaign we should be fairly happy to be in the position we are. As long as we give our best in the last few games, and of course the cup final, I look forward to next season with renewed optimism, and a few new faces to strengthen the squad of course!

James: I cannot understand when we know that St Mirren are a physical team why the manager drops Pape Gueye, our most physical player. The players let the fans down, we never put the opponents under pressure. A very poor display when Europe was within reach.

Carol: Year one of a three-year project. Some good players taken in this season, they will be better next season. Cup final, cup semi final and probably fourth in league is not a bad start to Jimmy Thelin's term. We weren't at it yesterday, but still had two big refereeing decisions go against us. Not good enough on the day, but the future looks good.

Rob: It is a setback for third spot but not a fatal one. The old firm fixtures are huge now and we need to get points in both. Despite the lack of chances we created we need to find a way not to lose these games. St Mirren are a decent side but we should not have lost three times to them this season if we harbour hopes of top three.

'No way back' for Saints while relegation fears heighten for Dundee & County

St Johnstone are six points adrift at the foot of the Scottish Premiership

After a fourth straight loss, St Johnstone fans are resigned to relegation and doubtful over whether manager Simo Valakari should be retained for next season.

Daniel: No way back now, the top-flight spell is over. Owners have a decision to make over Valakari's future.

Gordy: Quite simple - no future, in whichever division, with the current manager. Absolutely lacking in judgement as to team selection. He has tested playing out from the back to destruction. Finally no passion which is translated to the team and the fans.

Ally: Got to keep faith with Valakari. We've been three years in decline with one bad decision after another. We were too slow to sack Callum Davidson, got lazy with the Steven MacLean appointment and Craig Levein was never the right fit. We have got to give Valakari time to change and develop the squad. He has a track record of winning things with smaller teams but he needs time and transfer windows to do it.

Ian: Valakari is a lovely guy with great ideas but doesn't have the quality of players to implement. Unfortunately, not what the Saints need during this time. Will he stay next season? How would his style translate into the lower division? I fear we may just linger for a few seasons as we lose any quality players.

Dundee supporters are frustrated on many fronts as they occupy the relegation play-off spot.

Gregor: I fear a play-off and possible relegation now. We are in a rut and the manager blaming officials isn't helping our cause. Onwards to next match, but it's a worrying time to be a Dee.

Iain: That game sums up or season perfectly. We threw away another game. 26 points lost from a winning position. Basic errors yet again. Tony Docherty's rinse and repeat post-match excuses are beyond tiresome. We'll do well to avoid the play-off.

Innes: I can't even think who to call out for this. The VAR has a portion of blame here as a two-goal cushion changes the game dramatically. However, the players and manager have to have a good, long look at themselves in the mirror.

John: Possibly our worst display this season. Again, no midfield. Scott Fraser at least looked like he could pass to a player in dark blue, rather than bump the ball up the field for Simon Murray to chase. Squeaky bum time!

And Ross County fans are also worried about the prospect of a play-off to retain their top-flight status.

Davie: This is now a very worrying time. We are leaking goals too easily and there seems to be a nervousness about the team. We cannot cope with pacy wide players, and service to the front men is not good enough.

Derek: Come on Staggies, get some points on the board and quickly! Otherwise, I won't be able to make my annual trip from London to support you in the play-offs!

Optimism for Motherwell, Hearts & Killie after wins

Motherwell ensured they will be in the Premiership next season after they came from a goal down to beat Motherwell.

Norrie: Off the pace first half but second half substitute Tawanda Maswanhise brought a spark into the team. Great second half from the whole team. Premiership assured for next season, which gives the manager an opportunity to take a good look at the squad and hopefully make the right decisions about who stays and who goes.

James: Probably a bit of a steal, as first half we were shocking. What a difference Maswanhise made. Delighted to get away from the dog fight. An unusual off day for Callum Slattery.

Fraser: Fantastic result to secure our safety for another season. Maswanhise changed the game when he came on at half time.

George: Brilliant result. Safety became the priority - Michael Wimmer and the team achieved that with a couple of games to spare. Will be an interesting summer ahead to see how the team is now reshaped and weaknesses addressed.

Hearts fans were full of praise for Lawrence Shankland after their 3-1 win in Dingwall.

Steve: We've been crying out for months to stop playing the three strikers together and for Lawrence Shankland to play up front - what a difference!

Chris: You don't need fancy analytics to tell you that if you play your best striker as a striker, you'll likely get goals. Shankland was superb as was Forrest. A little too late but a win is a win and I'm happy for Liam Fox who now has a league win to follow his European win.

Denis: Hearts need Fox to stay until at least to the end of the season. He is an unusual commodity - an old-fashioned manager. The County game was another gritty performance which produced three goals. It could have been a far more emphatic result, but for the usual good missed chances.

Steven: It shows the dramatic fall in standards when we, as fans, are worrying about losing at Dingwall and falling into the relegation mire. We have had to sit through weeks of a failed diamond that had no width, no pace, no craft.

Stick Shankland up top and he'll score goals. That simple strategy has cost Neil Critchley his job. Another manager comes up from down south and doesn't understand the dynamics of the Premiership.

Kilmarnock beat St Johnstone 2-0 thanks to goals from David Watson and Danny Armstrong.

Graeme: We are probably safe now, but why didn't we have these performances earlier in the season? Really good to see Watson nearing his best again in the last two games!

Robert: Professional performance just when it was needed. Watson should be starting more often. Armstrong more like himself, while Rory McKenzie showed he still has a part to play.

Scott: A professional performance and a long overdue away win. Hopefully we can finish the job next week and start looking ahead to next season. Disappointing as this year has been, it's really the five defeats in eight games against County and St Johnstone that have cost us.

If we'd even won a couple of those games we'd have been looking at top six. Just shows how fine the margins are in this league.

Wolfgang: Give Derek McInnes some credit here, the man's a proper stable manager and knows how to steer clear of relegation. Last time we were in this position we ended up dropping! Let's finish the season off on a high and shore up that defence in the summer!