Summary

  • FT: Celtic 5-1 Motherwell (Edouard 3, Forrest 2; Frear)

  • FT: Ross County 0-2 Dundee (O'Hara, El Bakhtaoui)

  • FT: Partick Thistle 0-1 Hibernian (Barton og)

  • FT: St Johnstone 1-2 Kilmarnock (MacLean; Findlay, Brophy)

  • FT: Hearts 1-1 Hamilton (Walker [Brandon sent off for hosts]; Tomas)

  • Livi v Falkirk postponed in Championship

  • Cowden v Stenny in League Two postponed

  1. Football circus heads for Pittodriepublished at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    It has been a crazy day.

    A team - Inverness Caledonian Thistle - being denied a postponement despite a 14-hour overnight journey to their game.

    Another - St Johnstone - who had two players miss kick off following a separate road accident.

    And another - Hearts - having a player, their manager and assistant sent to the stand after a pitchside melee that involved a police officer.

    However, it was normal service at the very top, where Celtic stretched their lead with a 5-1 hammering of Motherwell to make it two wins and a draw over the Fir Park men in a week.

    Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes will be bracing himself for more of the same questions about his future as his side entertain Rangers, who are believed to still want him as manager, tomorrow and seek revenge for their midweek defeat at Ibrox.

    Please join us then.

    Aberdeen's Ryan Christie and manager Derek McInnesImage source, SNS
  2. No comment from Saints bosspublished at 18:18 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: St Johnstone 1-2 Kilmarnock

    If you are still waiting for St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright to react to his side's home defeat by Kilmarnock, don't bother - the Northern Irishman refused to talk to the media after the game.

    Wright was annoyed enough that right-back Richard Foster and forward Michael O'Halloran had missed kick-off because of delays caused by a road accident.

    And his mood would have been worse after a loss to a side who had been sitting second bottom.

    St Johnstone manager Tommy WrightImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was a forlorn figure at McDiarmid Park

  3. Levein critical of refereepublished at 18:12 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Hamilton Academical

    Hearts manager Craig Levein insists he is still none the wiser why he was sent to the stand by referee Bobby Madden.

    "H ran over to the touchline to speak to me," he told BBC Scotland. "He was four yards from me and, instead of coming over to talk to me, he stopped and said I should go over and speak and listen.

    "I could hear him perfectly from where he was, I didn't see the point in that unless we're just playing children's games and trying to prove who's in charge.

    "So I just thought it was crazy and he didn't tell me why he was sending me to the stand."

    Hearts manager Craig Levein in the standImage source, SNS

    Levein also thought Austin MacPhee should not have joined him in the stand after his assistant and Hamilton midfielder Darian Mackinnon grappled on the ground, sparking a melee on the touchline.

    "Even more bizarrely, he sends Austin to the stand in a situation in which for me is just crazy," he said.

    "Austin has hold of the ball and, even if he doesn't want to give the ball back to Darian MacKinnon, Mackinnon has rugby tackled him.

    "Now, if that's on the field of play, both players get booked, Mackinnon's already booked and yet there's absolutely no punishment for him.

    "I just don't understand how he can send Austin to the stand and do nothing to Mackinnon. He's dived on him and dragged him to the ground. It's crazy."

  4. Accies provoked - Canningpublished at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Hamilton Academical

    Hamilton manager Martin Canning on BBC Radio Scotland: "I thought we had enough to win the game.

    "So obviously, if you go behind against 10 men, it can be difficult as well, so I'm pleased to have got back into the game and not to be coming away empty handed but really disappointed we haven’t taken all three today."

    Austin McPhee and Darian McKinnon come together in the dugoutImage source, SNS

    On incident involving Hearts assistant Austin MacPhee and Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon: "For me, Darian has gone across to try and get the ball back and Austin’s pulled him to the ground, which was disappointing.

    "That’s why I’m pleased with my players because we have kept our discipline today, which in that atmosphere and getting provoked at times the way we were, I think it was full credit top us keeping our discipline the way we did."

  5. League Two top three stumblepublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Peterhead were the big gainers in League Two as the top three stumbled.

    Leaders Montrose were held away to Clyde, while Stirling Albion, who lost the lead last week after their game was postponed, were beaten away to Berwick Rangers.

    With Elgin City slumping to defeat away to Annan Athletic, Peterhead moved into third, one point behind Stirling and three adrift of Montrose, after easing to a 3-0 win over Edinburgh City.

    Cowdenbeath remain bottom, one point behind Edinburgh, with their game against Stenhousemuir having been postponed.

    Those two are becoming isolated at the bottom, with Clyde moving four points clear of Edinburgh.

  6. Eagles lifts Coyle's moodpublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Ross County 0-2 Dundee

    Ross County manager Owen Coyle: “I don’t think there was a lot in the game.

    "Dundee started reasonably well and obviously scored a wonder-goal – the boy has hit it into the top corner from 30 yards, it’s a wonderful strike.

    “We huffed and puffed trying to get back into the game and Dundee were happy to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter attack.

    “We had one or two half chances. They were always a threat going forward because they were 1-0 up and feeling confident about themselves from last week.

    “Credit to them, but we never got to the level we’ve played at before.

    “Chris Eagles was a bright spark today. He had three or four shots, he put some dangerous crosses in and looked a very good player.

    "The more we build up his match fitness the better he’ll be, but he certainly looked a threat all day."

    Chris EaglesImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    New signing Chris Eagles was making his Ross County debut

  7. 'That's as big as beating Rangers' - McCannpublished at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Ross County 0-2 Dundee

    Dundee manager Neil McCann: "That’s the first time in the top flight we’ve got a clean sheet up here.

    "I said to the [players] how difficult a place it is to come to, because they’ve shown a steeliness at home.

    "I said to them that, if we won here today, it would be as big as everyone was making of beating Rangers.

    "We showed the flexibility and adaptability we’ve been searching for since the start of the season.

    "We coped really comfortably, scored two terrific goals and were in control of the match."

    Dundee's Mark O'Hara and Faissal El Bakhtaoui celebrateImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Mark O'Hara and Faissal El Bakhtaoui scored Dundee's goals

  8. Ayr and Raith Rovers move clearpublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Ayr United remain top of League One by three points after a thrilling win over Albion Rovers.

    Raith Rovers stay in touch - and have a game in hand - by beating Alloa Athletic.

    Queen's Park earned their first home win of the season, beating East Fife, but remain bottom, one point behind Forfar Athletic, who lost to Airdrieonians.

    Arbroath are losing touch with the top two after losing at home to Stranraer.

  9. Terrors take advantage of Buddies slumppublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Dundee United survived a second-half fightback from Dunfermline Athletic to return to the top of the Championship.

    That came after St Mirren slumped to a home defeat by Dumbarton.

    Morton were the other big movers as their 4-1 win over Brechin City lifted the Greenock side into fifth place, equal with Dunfermline and Queen of the South, who were held at home by Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

    Dumbarton move above Caley Thistle and are now nine points clear of second-bottom Falkirk, whose game at Livingston was postponed.

    Brechin are still six adrift at the bottom.

  10. Celtic could have had more - Rodgerspublished at 17:42 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Celtic 5-1 Motherwell

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “I think the scoreline reflected our dominance in the game.

    "We played very well first half and were probably unfortunate not to be three up, minimum, at half time.

    "We controlled the game very well, created chances, our movement was good at the top end of the field.

    Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS

    “We end up with five, we had other opportunities to make it more, and it’s great tribute to the whole team how they were very much focused against a committed Motherwell team and we get the result and a very good performance.

    “Young Odsonne (Edouard) was top class today. I felt we needed more mobility at the top of the field, we were a wee bit static the other night.

    "His speed and movement I felt could hurt their centre halves in front of them and in behind.

    “Take away his goals and I thought his overall game was at a really high level today."

  11. Off the Ballpublished at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    On Off the Ball on BBC Radio Scotland at the moment, pundit Michael Stewart has been defending himself against accusations from Hearts manager Craig Levein that the former Tynecastle midfielder has an agenda against him.

    Michael StewartImage source, SNS
  12. Robinson - 'We got what we deserved - nothing'published at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Celtic 5-1 Motherwell

    Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson on BBC Radio Scotland: "We lost the game in the first half.

    "Celtic out-played us, but the disappointing thing was that they out-fought us as well in the first half.

    "It is the first time since I have been involved that we looked like we hadn't come to compete.

    "We tried to change it second half and got back to 2-1 and had a couple of half-chances.

    "But you always leave yourself open with the quality of player they have coming off the bench.

    "We got what we deserved out of the game - nothing. Maybe it is a lesson for us.

    " We don't have the luxury Celtic have of bringing in six quality players but maybe we should have made more changes and freshened it up completely."

  13. Celtic remain invinciblepublished at 17:36 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Celtic's hammering of Motherwell means they extend their lead over Aberdeen to seven points having played the same number of games as the side who face Rangers tomorrow.

    Hibs' win away to Partick Thistle means Neil Lennon's side move to within a point of the Dons and two ahead of Rangers ahead of those two meeting tomorrow.

    Despite Hearts' sixth game without a win, their draw with Hamilton takes Craig Levein's side above St Johnstone into sixth on goal difference and remain one ahead of Accies.

    Away wins for Dundee and Kilmarnock, against Ross County and St Johnstone, means those two move ahead of the Dingwall outfit on goal difference.

    County are now second bottom, four clear of Thistle.

    Celtic's Odsonne Edouard scored three goalsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Odsonne Edouard's first Celtic hat-trick helped beat Motherwell

  14. Archibald finds positives in defeatpublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Partick Thistle 0-1 Hibernian

    Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald on BBC Radio Scotland: "I think it was a very even game. There wasn’t a lot in it.

    "We worked their goalie with probably the best half chances or chances in the game.

    "I thought it was very even. It was very end to end as well. I thought it was actually a good match to watch.

    "I’m quite positive about our play today. I thought we played some really good stuff, got into some good areas first half - a bit poor with the final ball.

    Partick Thistle manager Alan ArchibaldImage source, SNS

    "We’ve still got to be positive, we’ve got a massive game next week (against Kilmarnock).

    "We’ve got a tough run of games coming up, but they’re good games in terms of six-pointers and we need to make sure we get points from them because we’ve got a chance to close that gap."

  15. Lennon hails Boyle and McGregorpublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Partick Thistle 0-1 Hibernian

    Hibernian head coach Neil Lennon on BBC Radio Scotland: “We got a great start to the second half. I would like us to win games more comfortably, although I’ll take the win - it was a fantastic win and I’m really pleased.

    “I thought we dominated, particularly the last 20 minutes of the first half.

    "We missed some great chances in the second half, but we dominated.

    Neil LennonImage source, SNS

    “[Martin] Boyle was outstanding and he has been outstanding all season – he’s one of the best players in the division.

    “Darren McGregor was outstanding and it’s a great boost to have him back.

    “We knew Motherwell were at Celtic and Aberdeen play Rangers tomorrow, so it was important to keep the pressure on the teams around us."

  16. Clarke praises 'dogged determination'published at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: St Johnstone 1-2 Kilmarnock

    Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke on BBC Radio Scotland: "It wasn't the prettiest of games. It was certainly not a game for the purists.

    "We knew before the game we would have to dig in at times in the game and we did that.

    "We got a big break near the end when Wotherspoons' shot came back off the post, but I think we had earned that by that stage of the game with pure dogged determination to stay in the game.

    "Any little bits of quality, I felt, in the second half came from us and the second goal, the winning goal, was a good example of that."

    Kilmarnock celebrate Eamonn Brophy's winnerImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Eamonn Brophy scored Kilmarnock's winner in Perth

  17. Tussle that started Tynecastle troublepublished at 17:18 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    FT: Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Hamilton Academical

    It all kicked off at Tynecastle when Austin MacPhee was grabbed by Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon after the Hearts assistant delayed returning the ball.

    MacPhee was sent to the stand following a melee that involved a police officer, while MacKinnon was hastily substituted by Accies manager Martin Canning.

    We'll be hearing a lot more about these events no doubt.

    Hearts assistant Austin MacPhee and Accies midfielder Darian MacKinnon tussleImage source, SNS
  18. FULL-TIME Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Hamilton Academicalpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Hearts survive the first-half sending off of Jamie Brandon - plus the dismissal of manager Craig Levein and assistant Austin MacPhee - to take a point against Hamilton.

    Referee Bobby Madden is booed by the home support after a stormy 90 minutes at Tynecastle that followed a delayed kick-off caused by a faulty fire alarm.

    Hamilton have now gone six games unbeaten, Hearts haven't won in six, but the Tynecastle side might be relieved with a point that keeps them above the visitors and moves them above St Johnstone into sixth place in the table.

  19. GREAT SAVE!published at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Heart of Midlothian 1-1 Hamilton Academical

    Aaron Hughes clears off the line after Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin parries a Xavier Thomas header.

    Then Skondras fires wide after being set up by Danny Redmond.

  20. Great day for Celticpublished at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 2 December 2017

    Celtic 5-1 Motherwell

    Steven Thompson
    Former Scotland striker on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    So many positives for Celtic. Scott Brown totally controlled the midfield and that's the best I've seen Olivier Ntcham play