Summary

  • Listen to Off the Ball

  • FT Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone - Ntcham, Edouard & Griffiths net after Christie hat-trick & Johnston opener

  • FT Hibernian 1-0 St Mirren - Allan scores late for Hibs

  • FT Livingston 0-0 Motherwell - goalless at Toni Macaroni

  • FT Ross County 3-0 Hamilton Academical - Chalmers, Mckay & Stewart for promoted side

  • Shankland scores four for Dundee Utd; Ayr win; Cove thrash Edinburgh City

  • GET INVOLVED #bbcsportscot

  1. Over to Dons and Rangerspublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    What response will there be from Aberdeen and Rangers?

    Steven Gerrard's runners-up from last season visit troubled Kilmarnock tomorrow while Aberdeen, fresh from an impressive result in Europa League qualifying, host a Hearts side who have also had an uneasy start to the season.

    Join us on Sunday for the build-up, live commentary and post-match reaction from both games.

    Rangers manager Steven GerrardImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Celtic have thrown down the gauntlet to Steven Gerrard's Rangers and Aberdeen

  2. Magnificent sevenpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone

    Despite Cove's historic win, Celtic's impressive, seven-goal demolition of St Johnstone will capture the headlines.

    After all the talk of Rangers and Aberdeen in particular mounting a bigger challenge with Celtic stuttering under Neil Lennon at the end of last season, the Glasgow side have put down an emphatic marker to the pretenders to their league title.

    St Johnstone's Richard Foster is left disappointedImage source, SNS
  3. Cove result of the daypublished at 17:55 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    Scottish League Two

    Cove Rangers probably just pip Celtic with the most stunning result of the day.

    In their first-ever game in the SPFL, the Highland League champions hammered Edinburgh City, many people's tips for the title, 5-0.

    Mitch Megginson, who was the Lawrence Shankland/Stephen Dobbie of the Highland League, chipped in with two more goals.

    Elgin, Albion Rovers and Annan all posted wins that suggest they might challenge too.

  4. Not so easy for Bairns?published at 17:52 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    Scottish League One

    Relegated but remaining full-time in a part-time dominated league and recruiting a team of Championship renegades, Falkirk are everyone's tip to win League One at a canter.

    But Ray McKinnon's side could only manage a draw away to League Two champions Peterhead.

    Forfar and Raith Rovers, who both missed out on promotion through the play-offs, had the most impressive results of the day, winning away to Airdrieonians and Dumbarton respectively.

  5. United & Shankland start on a highpublished at 17:48 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    Scottish Championship

    Dundee United end the first weekend on top of the Championship and most pundits expect them to be there by the final one.

    Lawrence Shankland was top scorer in the division last season and his goals could just be what the Tannadice side need to end their four years outside the top flight judging from his personal, four-goal destruction of Caley Thistle.

    Without their former marksman, Ayr still managed four to ease aside a Morton side that have high hopes of their own under new manager David Hopkin.

    League One champions Arbroath managed a home draw against a Queen of the South side who perhaps missed badly that other Mr Goals, Stephen Dobbie, through injury.

    Dundee United's Lawrence Shankland celebratesImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Lawrence Shankland scored four on his United league debut

  6. Goodwin encouraged by Buddiespublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Hibernian 0-0 St Mirren

    St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin on BBC Radio Scotland: "The amount of effort and commitment the players put into the game, we merited a point.

    "I don’t think we deserved to win the game, but in terms of how we denied Hibs space and opportunities – they didn’t really have a lot of attempts on target and that’s down to the players being organised and talking.

    "The goal was a sickener. It was a well-worked goal. Sometimes you just hold your hands up.

    "You can see the quality we've brought in. The four debutants were outstanding and the other players were excellent as well."

    Jonathan Obika and Jim GoodwinImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Jonathan Obika was one of four St Mirren debutants at Easter Road

  7. Livi 'know what we are' - Holtpublished at 17:38 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Livingston 0-0 Motherwell

    Livingston head coach Gary Holt tells BBC Scotland: "I thought it was a really good game of football. There was no quarter asked or given by both sides.

    "I think we had the better chances and it was nice to see we had a bit of spine that we had been missing, apparently. A first clean sheet of the season - I'll take that.

    "We're not going to go away from what we are. We're comfortable in our skin. We know what we need to do in every game."

    Livingston's Steven Lawless (right) in action with Motherwell's Richard TaitImage source, SNS
  8. Hibs 'a work in progress' - Heckingbottompublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Hibernian 0-0 St Mirren

    Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom on BBC Radio Scotland: "We're a work in progress and will be for a long, long time, but you can't question the commitment and desire to keep going.

    "First half, there were some nerves, although we had the possession and the territory. Big crowd, first time the new players have played in front of that, they realise now where they’ve come and what it’s all about. And we certainly had more opportunities second half.

    "After hitting the post a couple of times, goal disallowed, other chances, you're thinking it’s not going to be our day. But I'm encouraged that we won, kept on playing and passing and the nature of the goal was reward for that because it was patience."

    Scott AllanImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Scott Allan's late goal snatched victory for Hibernian over St Mirren

  9. We'll be better against Celtic - Robinsonpublished at 17:35 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Livingston 0-0 Motherwell

    Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "We'll take the point. Defensively, I thought Mark Gillespie was excellent at times, but we didn't put our stamp on the game, we didn't play the football we wanted to play. The good thing - Celtic won't have seen how we can play.

    "This is different from any other game. The surface, how Livi play. It might have been a wake-up call for some of the new boys, but there's a lot more to come.

    "We've a tough game next week, but we'll certainly be better than that."

    Motherwell's Declan Gallagher (L) with former teammate, Livingston's Keaghan Jacobs at full-timeImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Motherwell's Declan Gallagher with his former team-mate, Livingston's Keaghan Jacobs, at full-time

  10. Hartley plays down stunning startpublished at 17:32 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Cove Rangers 5-0 Edinburgh City

    Manager Paul Hartley was delighted with his side's 5-0 thumping of an Edinburgh side expected to be title contenders as Cove Rangers "made history" in their first-ever game in the SPFL.

    "We dominated the game from start to finish and there could have been more," he tells BBC Scotland.

    "That was a terrific performance. We won't get carried away. The important thing to day was to get off the mark and we've done that."

    Asked how far he can take the Highland League champions in League Two, the former Scotland midfielder says:"To Albion Rovers next week!

    "People will look at the result and think we're title contenders, but we know there are tough teams in this league.Edinburgh will get better, but we were just on it today."

  11. Rice's warning to 'disappointing' Acciespublished at 17:27 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Ross County 3-0 Hamilton Academical

    Hamilton Academical head coach Brian Rice: “We’ve got to prove that we deserve to be in this league and we won’t be in the league if we show the lack of fight and lack of desire that we showed today.

    “Fair play to Ross County, they thoroughly deserved to win.

    “It was really, really disappointing.”

    Brian RiceImage source, SNS
  12. Thrilled County 'not getting carried away'published at 17:22 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Ross County 3-0 Hamilton Academical

    Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson tells BBC Scotland: “We are delighted. To score three goals, to keep a clean sheet was really pleasing for Stuart Kettlwell and I.

    "We’re not getting carried away, it’s one game of football."

    County claimed unsuccessfully for three penalties in the first half, but Ferguson said: “We would’ve liked them, but we didn’t get them - so we move on.”

    Ross County celebrateImage source, SNS
  13. County 'fine', Accies worriespublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Ross County 3-0 Hamilton Academical

    Billy Dodds
    Former Scotland striker on Sportsound at Global Energy Stadium

    Quote Message

    A good balance about Ross County. They will be fine this season. I would worry about Hamilton if I was a fan. They seemed all over the place at times

  14. 'Wanted to make a big statement' - Christiepublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone

    Celtic hat-trick hero Ryan Christie tells BBC Scotland: "I think we were bang on it. The sun comes out, the pitch is phenomenal and the atmosphere was phenomenal - and I'm happy to top it off with a hat-trick and victory.

    "I need to help get us on the scoresheet by assists or scoring them. The gaffer has given me that opportunity to step in and make that impact.

    "He wanted us to make a big statement to everybody.

    "I set my goals target at the start of the season, but I'll keep that to myself."

    Ryan Christie with the match ballImage source, SNS
  15. FULL-TIME SCORESpublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

    Alloa Athletic 1-1 Partick Thistle

    Arbroath 0-0 Queen of the South

    Ayr United 4-2 Greenock Morton

    Dundee United 4-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

    SCOTTISH LEAGUE ONE

    Airdrieonians 0-2 Forfar Athletic

    Clyde 1-1 East Fife

    Dumbarton 0-1 Raith Rovers

    Peterhead 0-0 Falkirk

    Stranraer 1-2 Montrose

    SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO

    Brechin City 0-1 Annan Athletic

    Cove Rangers 5-0 Edinburgh City

    Elgin City 3-0 Cowdenbeath

    Stenhousemuir 2-3 Albion Rovers

    Stirling Albion 0-1 Queen's Park

  16. Shankland best of shining Tangerinespublished at 17:11 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    Dundee United 4-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

    Jane Lewis
    BBC Sport Scotland at Tannadice

    An impressive opening day win for Dundee United and Lawrence Shankland.

    After day one, the tag of favourites for promotion looks well deserved.

    Shankland will quite rightly get all the plaudits, but others played their part too, passing the ball well in midfield while keeping solid at the back.

    Caley Thistle didn’t play too badly. They just came up against a team and Lawrence Shankland in the mood.

  17. Shows 'gulf in class' - Wrightpublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone

    St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is sure his side will recover from losing by one more than last season's 6-0 hammering by Celtic.

    "There were two teams on the pitch - one was absolutely brilliant and the other was poor," he says.

    "We conceded an early goal and did not have enough belief when we had the ball.

    "At least four of the goals are outside of the box with people not doing their jobs.

    "This afternoon shows there is a huge gulf in class of the squads. It was a poor afternoon but one we dust ourselves down from."

    Wright added that he has been looking for a striker but "now we maybe need more than a striker".

    St Johnstone manager Tommy WrightImage source, SNS
  18. Magnificent sevenpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

    Quote Message

    Neil Lennon's teams always score goals. They just do it a different way. They have hit the ground running and look like they are loving their football. Celtic are a real force again and can get over 100 goals this season

  19. Celtic 'outstanding' - Lennonpublished at 17:04 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon was impressed with his side's thumping of St Johnstone.

    "It's just been a great day," he tells BBC Scotland. "Not getting carried away, but it was an outstanding team performance.

    "Ryan Christie is playing really well right now. His first and third goals were sublime finishes.

    "We are in a good place at the minute. It is a really good marker to put down for the rest of the season."

    Celtic's Neil Lennon and Ryan Christie celebrateImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Neil Lennon was delighted with hat-trick man Ryan Christie

  20. Sensational Celticpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 3 August 2019

    FT: Celtic 7-0 St Johnstone

    Michael Stewart
    Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    It was just sensational for Celtic for start to finish. It was performance from the heavens for them. It is a big change from the start of last season when suggestions were they had gone stale under Brendan Rodgers