Summary

  • County will face Livingston in relegation play-off after draw

  • Kilmarnock 0-1 Hearts - visitors Dhanda sent off after VAR review for lunge on Findlay but Kingsley nets winner late on

  • Ross County 1-1 Motherwell - Hale with opener but Ebiye finds late leveller

  • St Johnstone 0-2 Dundee - Cameron nets brace in final appearance

  1. KICK-OFFpublished at 15:02 British Summer Time 18 May

    Away we go in Kilmarnock and Perth.

    They won't be far behind in Dingwall...

  2. 'Dundee have physicality & experience that County don't'published at 14:58 British Summer Time 18 May

    Stephen Craigan
    Former NI & Motherwell defender on Sportsound

    I thought Dundee would have enough to beat Ross County in midweek and I think they will have too much for St Johnstone.

    They have a real determination, a physicality and experience about them that Ross County don't have.

    They also have Simon Murray.

  3. Continuity and confidence key for Cowiepublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 18 May

    Ross County v Motherwell (15:00)

    Ross County manager Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: "Our only focus is winning. We have to take care of our own business and see where that takes us.

    "[Wednesday's late equaliser against Dundee] was a massive moment for us as a club, it's given us this opportunity today, and it's about us taking advantage of that.

    "I've never shied away from the results. We got ourselves in a great position two months ago, we've not taken advantage of it, but we've still got an opportunity.

    "First half on Wednesday was as good as we've played in the last two months, we were the better team but didn't get the goal we deserved. So yes, a bit of continuity in selection."

    Don CowieImage source, SNS
  4. Balcombe plays to satisfy loan agreement - Wimmerpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 18 May

    Ross County v Motherwell (15:00)

    Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer explains why on-loan Brentford goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe is one of five changes to his staring line-up today:

    "Ellery has to play one more game because of his contract. Nothing to do with performance. Ellery has played well so no worries.

    "Dan Casey is injured, and the other players deserve to play.

    "I'm happy we saved our status in the league as soon as possible after the split and have no pressure today. The guys did it well and I am very proud of them."

    Michael WimmerImage source, SNS
  5. 'Dundee fans in fine voice'published at 14:51 British Summer Time 18 May

    St Johnstone v Dundee (15:00)

    Tyrone Smith
    BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

    A huge Dundee support has made the short trip to Perth.

    They are in fine voice at the moment, but will they still be in a couple of hours time?

    Tony Docherty's side will have plenty of backing from the stands at McDiarmid Park, that is for sure.

  6. Valakari expects forceful Dundeepublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 18 May

    St Johnstone v Dundee (15:00 BST)

    St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari tells BBC Scotland: "No kidding or pretending, it's not great because of relegation.

    "We need to respect it, accept and start rebuilding. That's football. We were not good enough in a long season and the table doesn't lie.

    "It's pretty, pretty logical, in terms of what's going to happen. We are not going to keep anyone here who doesn't want to be here. It's not difficult discussions.

    "We still have a bit match today. There is no pressure. Let's see what our level is. Always when you play a local derby, it's a big match. They will come from the start hard, try to kill the game."

    St Johnstone manager Simo ValakariImage source, SNS
  7. Burke pays homage to departing Walespublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00)

    Caretaker Killie manager Chris Burke starts by paying tribute to the departing Bobby Wales - whose summer move to Swansea city was confirmed this morning.

    "The first thing about Bobby [Wales] is, it's great he's getting to play here in his last game for the club. We wish him all the best.

    "Part of our football club is about developing players and we've showed we can help his journey in that. We'd love to have kept him but that's how it goes.

    "The players have been absolutely terrific in the circumstances, after the Motherwell game, and it's just about preparing them. The motivation is that it doesn't matter if it's the first or last game of the season, you should always want to be the best player on the park.

    "You never know who's watching, or when your best game may come."

    Bobby WalesImage source, SNS
  8. Change coming for both clubs as season's end loomspublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00)

    Martin Dowden
    BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

    The winds of change are all over this fixture.

    Derek McInnes will, barring a shock, swap the home dugout for away next term and the Ayrshire club will have a fresh start.

    How that looks is to be determined but with safety secured this one is about ending on a high before rebuilding over the summer.

    For Hearts, they still have to lock in a seventh-place finish. Liam Fox will want another win in his successful interim period in charge to remind clubs of his value before he departs Tynecastle.

  9. Fox wanted to add 'clarity and structure'published at 14:40 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00)

    Hearts' interim head coach Liam Fox tells BBC Scotland: "When you're put in these situations, you have to put a stamp on it. I tried to make it slightly different from what it was before, a bit of clarity and structure.

    "That's no criticism of what was previous, I just did it how I thought it should be done. The players have responded well, they deserve the credit for that.

    "The main focus is winning the game for ourselves. Every time you play for Hearts you have an opportunity to impress people.

    "We understand it's not been good enough this year. There's no hiding. This football club will regroup. There'll be changes, a freshness to the playing squad. That should give people optimism."

    Liam FoxImage source, SNS
  10. 'Fresh start for Kilmarnock'published at 14:36 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00 BST)

    Stephen Craigan
    Former NI & Motherwell defender on Sportsound

    It was definitely the best idea for Derek McInnes to not be here today.

    A fresh start for Kilmarnock. They are a smashing club to work for.

  11. Burke swaps three for Killie; Clark back in goals for Heartspublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00)

    Chris Burke makes three changes from Derek McInnes' final game as Killie manager - a 3-0 loss to Motherwell midweek.

    Robby McCrorie is back in goals, with Brad Lyons starting at right-back and Bobby Wales starting in his final game before his summer move to Swansea City.

    There's three changes for the visitors, who welcome back Zander Clark in goals. Stephen Kingsley replaces Craig Halkett to partner Frankie Kent at the back.

    Calem Nieuwenhof also comes in, replacing the outgoing Jorge Grant in midfield. It's only his second league start of the season.

  12. Ashworth returns for County against much-changed Motherwellpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 18 May

    Ross County v Motherwell (15:00)

    Zach Ashworth returns from suspension for Ross County's must-win showdown with the Steelmen this afternoon.

    The defender is the only new face in Don Cowie's starting XI, replacing the injured Kacper Lopata.

    Michael Wimmer takes the opportunity to heavily rotate his Motherwell team, who are clear of any relegation trouble.

    Ellery Balcome starts in goal, while Johnny Koutroumbis is back from a ban.

    Davor Zdravkovski, Luke Armstrong and - on his first start - Will Dickson - also feature from the off.

    Aston Oxborough, Dan Casey, Tony Watt, Tom Sparrow and Harry Paton make way.

    Zac AshworthImage source, SNS
  13. Four Saints changes as Tiffoney returns for Dundeepublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 18 May

    St Johnstone v Dundee (15:00)

    St Johnstone make four changes following Wednesday's defeat at Hearts.

    Fisher replaces Sinclair in goal and also incoming are Sven Sprangler, who is captain, and Fran Franczak and Adama Sidibeh.

    Sam Curtis and Elliott Watt drop to the bench but there is no place for either keeper Fisher or experienced defender Barry Douglas, who both played at Tynecastle.

    How Saints line is anyone's guess as there are only two recognised defenders in the starting XI but they are already relegated and manager Simo Valakari is known for going a bit gung-ho so maybe today is the day to play two at the back.

    Just the one change for Dundee as Scott Tiffoney replaces Adewumi in attack.

    Dundee midfielder Lyall CameronImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Lyall Cameron will hope today is his last game for Dundee, with a move to Rangers on the horizon but a possible relegation play-off in between

  14. Valakari to remain Saints bosspublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 18 May

    St Johnstone v Dundee (15:00 BST)

    Earlier this week, St Johnstone owner Adam Webb backed "visionary coach" Simo Valakari to "return St Johnstone to its glory days" following their Scottish Premiership relegation.

    Defeat by Hearts on Wednesday, combined with Ross County drawing at Dundee, consigned the Perth side to a bottom-placed finish with one game left.

    It ended a 16-year top-flight stay that included several top-half finishes, two Scottish Cup wins, a League Cup triumph and European adventures.

    Those successes were waning by the time American lawyer Webb took control in July 2024 and the club parted with Craig Levein two months later following four straight losses.

    Finn Valakari replaced the former Scotland manager but St Johnstone continued to struggle for results, despite an upturn in performances.

    However, in an open letter to fans, Webb publicly threw his support behind his manager.

    "First and foremost, we will back Simo. We have a visionary coach and a solid core group of players who will be staying with us for next season."

    Simo ValakariImage source, SNS
  15. McInnes absence casts shadowpublished at 14:21 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00 BST)

    The build-up to today's match at Rugby Park has been dominated by one man.

    Derek McInnes is poised to take up the vacant managerial position at Tynecastle and will not be in charge of Kilmarnock this afternoon against his prospective employers.

    Chris Burke and Craig Clark are in charge of the Ayrshire side this afternoon.

    Derek McInnesImage source, SNS
  16. LINE-UPS from Rugby Parkpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 18 May

    Kilmarnock v Hearts (15:00 BST)

    Kilmarnock: McCrorie, Lyons, Mayo, Findlay, Ndaba, Armstrong, Donnelly, Watson, Murray, Wales, Vassell.

    Substitutes: O'Hara, Mackay-Steven, Cameron, Anderson, Ramsay, Watkins, Polworth, Burke, Traynor.

    Hearts: Clark, Forrester, Kent, Kingsley, Milne, Baningime, Devlin, Nieuwenhof, Forrest, Dhanda, Shankland.

    Substitutes: Fulton, Halkett, Grant, McKay, Steinwender, Kabangu, Wilson, Kartum, Osborne.

  17. A Highland huddlepublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 18 May

    Ross County v Motherwell (15:00)

    Ross County will need every ounce of team spirit to avoid a third straight relegation play-off...

    Ross CountyImage source, SNS
  18. LINE-UPS from McDiarmid Parkpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 18 May

    St Johnstone v Dundee (15:00 BST)

    St Johnstone: Sinclair, Franczak, Sprangler, Balodis, Steven, Duke-McKenna, Holt, McPake, Kirk, Sidibeh.

    Substitutes: Hepburn, Ikpeazu, Carey, Kucheriavyi, Curtis, Watt, Mylchreest, Hamill.

    Dundee: Carson, Astley, Shaughnessy C Robertson, Larkeche, Mulligan, Portales Cameron, Palmer-Houlden, Murray, Tiffoney.

    Substitutes: McCracken, Samuels, Garza, Reilly, F Robertson, Koumetio, Fraser, Sylla, Donnelly.

  19. LINE-UPS from Global Energy Stadiumpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 18 May

    Ross County v Motherwell (15:00 BST)

    Ross County: Amissah, Nightingale, Wright, Campbell, Ashworth, Randall, Nisbet, Efete, Kenneh, Samuel, Hale.

    Substitutes: Ross, Phillips, Smith, Robesten, Tomkinson, Williamson, Coyle, Harmon, White.

    Motherwell: Balcombe, Koutroumbis, O'Donnell, Seddon, Wilson, Halliday, Miller, Zdravkovksi, Slattery, Dickson, Armstrong.

    Substitutes: Oxborough, Sparrow, Paton, Ebiye, Williamson, Forrest, Andrews, Maswanhise, Thompson.

  20. Who will face dreaded play-off?published at 14:06 British Summer Time 18 May

    Tony Docherty and Don CowieImage source, SNS

    With St Johnstone already down, the main storyline today undoubtedly surrounds Dundee and Ross County, with only one of them able to guarantee their Premiership status.

    Dundee have a two-point lead on County and also have a superior goal difference, meaning the Staggies likely need to beat Motherwell and hope St Johnstone can beat Dundee.

    Stranger things have happened.