Summary

  • Listen to Sportsound

  • Aberdeen 3-1 Hibs - Ferguson nets second penalty after Porteous dismissed & Besuijen adds third; Ramsay own goal gave visitors lead

  • Celtic 4-0 Ross County - Giakoumakis hat trick & Maeda net for leaders; Ramsay sent off at 3-0

  • Hearts 2-0 Livingston - McKay adds to early Baningime effort for hosts

  • St Johnstone 2-1 Motherwell - Hendry brace after Van Veen lashes in for visitors

  • St Mirren 1-2 Dundee Utd - Levitt & McNulty strike after stunning early Henderson goal; Alnwick dismissed late on

  1. Cheerio for nowpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Okay, that's enough for now. Remember, Sportscene is on at 19:30 on BBC Scotland - with some tremendous goals and late drama to enjoy.

    We're heading into an international break, with a couple of friendlies coming up for Scotland - at home to Poland and away to either Wales or Austria - so no top flight action next weekend.

    Join us tomorrow though for Rangers' visit to bottom of the league Dundee.

  2. 'Motherwell game management must improve'published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: St Johnstone 2-1 Motherwell

    Motherwell manager Graham Alexander tells BBC Scotland that his side should have taken a point "if not three" as they lost to a late goal in Perth.

    “I think there was a game there for us to win after we took the lead in great fashion," he said.

    “Unfortunately we’ve thrown the lead away within the space of 10 minutes and we’ve not managed the game in the way we should have.

    “We had opportunities in the second half but the sting in the tail was right and the end when the lad scores that wonder goal.

    “There are things in between us scoring our first goal and them equalising which gives me an insight into our mindset about keeping hold of a lead. It’s our game management away from home.

    “I thought we were just a little bit open and we were punished for it."

    Kevin van Veen opened the scoring for the visitorsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Kevin van Veen opened the scoring for the visitors

  3. Robinson rues second-half showing from Buddiespublished at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee United

    St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Sportsound: "You can fluff around it sometimes but we got exactly what we deserved.

    "We had a tremendous start with Jay's goal and he, along with Connor Ronan, was the one bright spark that we had.

    "Second half, we didn't come out. It was as if we were waiting for something to happen. We didn't deal with them, we didn't pass the ball. We were kicking balls out of play when we could have played.

    "We're defending for long periods of the game and didn't create anything. I didn't think we showed enough quality today."

  4. Mackay 'proud' of County 'resilience'published at 17:51 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Celtic 4-0 Ross County

    County manager Malky Mackay says the red card for defender Kayne Ramsay made it "a no contest" with his side already 3-0 down to Celtic.

    "The referee felt that the challenge was reckless," he tells BBC Sportsound. "The crowd noise went up at that point and I don't think there was too much contact, so maybe in the letter of the law it is a sending off, but you've got to get on with it.

    "We had to show resilience and make sure it did not reach a score that can happen here when you go down to 10 men. We made sure it was tight and I was very proud of them and I thought the fourth was an unlucky hand ball.

    "We're still in a position with two games to go that we're in with a lot of other teams with a chance to get into the top six."

  5. 'McKay should be in the English Championship'published at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Heart of Midlothian 2-0 Livingston

    Livingston manager David Martindale joined Hearts counterpart Robbie Neilson in praising Barrie McKay's goal, which made it 2-0 to the home side.

    He tells BBC Scotland: "I thought for 45 minutes we were very lucky to only be 1-0 down. We were a wee bit toothless, passive, lethargic.

    "Barrie McKay's goal is a wonder strike, but it's probably against the run of play. I think we should enjoy Barrie McKay in the Premiership because for me I can't believe he's not playing in the [English] Championship still, because he's been brilliant, he's been one of Hearts best players this year.

    "We've got two cup finals before the split, two more winnable games than this one. It's 31 games and we're sitting sixth so I'll take the positives."

    Barrie McKay (second left) watches as his shot rockets into the top cornerImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Barrie McKay (second left) watches as his shot rockets into the top corner

  6. 'The best feeling in football'published at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: St Johnstone 2-1 Motherwell

    St Johnstone goal hero Callum Hendry tells BBC Scotland: "It's the best feeling in football as a striker to score - and to score two is even better.

    "[The late winner] is probably the best goal I've scored in my career. I'm delighted with it."

    Callum Hendry scored a wonderful winning goal for St JohnstoneImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Callum Hendry scored a wonderful winning goal for St Johnstone

  7. Maloney questions decisions in Pittodrie defeatpublished at 17:41 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Aberdeen 3-1 Hibernian

    Hibernian head coach Shaun Maloney reckons "the game changed with two decisions".

    "First [penalty decision] was wrong," he tells BBC Scotland. "It hits Rocky's knee before it hits his arm so the rules are that that shouldn't have been a penalty.

    "Second one was the correct decision with the penalty but the wrong one to send him off. [Porteous] definitely takes the player trying to get the ball but if you make an attempt to get the ball then it's not a red card."

    Shaun MaloneyImage source, SNS
  8. McKay goal 'long time coming'published at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Heart of Midlothian 2-0 Livingston

    Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was full of praise for Barrie McKay, whose volley was his first goal for the club.

    He tells BBC Scotland: "Long time coming. Beni Baningime has scored with two tackles in the past few weeks, so we've been on Barry about when he was going to get his first goal, but he's been absolutely outstanding for us, creating chances, and it was only a matter of time before it came, and what a finish.

    "To be honest I wasn't that happy with the performance. The first half I thought we could do better. The second half we dominated the game but we can create more chances, we can take more chances. It's a great result, it puts us 14 clear, but we need to keep demanding more."

    Barrie McKay made it 2-0 to Hearts with a sublime volleyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Barrie McKay made it 2-0 to Hearts with a sublime volley

  9. Celtic boss hopes Rogic fit for Australiapublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Celtic 4-0 Ross County

    Talking of hat-trick man Giorgos Giakoumakis, Ange Postecoglou stresses that the Greek striker had his team-mates, including strike partner Daizen Maeda, to thank for setting up his chances.

    "Got his goals well, but I thought he and Daizen worked had for us and I thought Jota was really bright on the ball," the Celtic manager tells BBC Scotland.

    Australia midfielder Tom Rogic was forced off with an ankle knock as County defender Kayne Ramsay was sent off for a strong challenge with Celtic already 3-0 up.

    "Hopefully Tom is not too bad and he goes away with the national team - we'll see how he is then," Postecoglou adds.

    Tom Rogic had to hobble off after a bad challenge from Kayne RamsayImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Tom Rogic had to hobble off after a bad challenge from Kayne Ramsay

  10. Postecoglou sidesteps Rangers questionpublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Celtic 4-0 Ross County

    Not for the first time, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is not getting himself involved in suggestions that his side's latest win puts pressure on second-top Rangers.

    "We just concentrate on what we need to do," he tells BBC Radio Scotland.

    "We had a couple of really tough away games where we've done really well but the playing surfaces haven't allowed us to play our football. Today allowed us to be really good and bright and we were well in control of the game."

  11. 'A huge three points for Dundee United'published at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: St Mirren 1-2 Dundee United

    Dundee United manager Tam Courts is a happy man after speaking to BBC Sportsound: "It's something I feel we've deserved," he says f the dramatic win in Paisley. "The first 45 minutes, the timing and manner of the St Mirren goal really did rock us.

    "For the remainder of the half, we were just trying to get a foothold in the game. It seemed like every player, their touch evaded them.

    "At half-time we re-focused them, we changed shape, made a couple of alterations, and tried to give the players a bit of help. I felt if we got on level terms, we would continue to ride the wave of momentum.

    "Lady luck shone for us today and it's a huge three points. All credit to the players for fighting until the bitter end, and what a moment to have with the fans in the last seconds of the game."

    Tam Courts celebrates at full-time in PaisleyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    United boss Tam Courts celebrates at full-time in Paisley

  12. 'Aberdeen the better team'published at 17:25 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Aberdeen 3-1 Hibernian

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

    Jim Goodwin will be very happy with the response to going behind. Wins have been hard to come by for Aberdeen this season and the better team won on the day.

    It was a good game. It wasn't the slow tempo that I've witnessed from both sides.

    Hibs have got a disciplinary problem after 10 red cards this season and questions have to be asked.

  13. 'Ferguson runs the show for Aberdeen'published at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Aberdeen 3-1 Hibernian

    Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound: "Very pleased. We were well on top. I thought we dominated for large periods. People might talk about Hibs going down to 10 men but we were well on top when it was 11 v 11.

    "There were a number of good individual performances. The one I would single out was Lewis Ferguson. He ran the game.

    "It was a good performance. I think people can see what we're trying to do."

    Jim GoodwinImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Jim Goodwin registered his first win as Aberdeen manager, seven games into his reign

  14. 'Hearts can focus on semi-final'published at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    FT: Hearts 2-0 Livingston

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Hearts have found their rhythm again after changing to a back four and this was a comfortable victory.

    Nobody is catching them for third spot, so it's all about peaking for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs.

  15. Top six race going to the wirepublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Dundee United are today's big movers, with that injury-time goal from Marc McNulty nudging them up to fourth place.

    Aberdeen stay tenth after their first league win in 2022, but they are only four points behind United.

    Two more games before the split and the jostling for places is utterly ridiculous.

  16. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Scottish League 2

    League 2Image source, BBC Sport
  17. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:03 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Scottish League 1

    League 1Image source, BBC Sport
  18. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:02 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Scottish Championship

    ChampionshipImage source, BBC Sport
  19. FULL-TIME St Mirren 1-2 Dundee Unitedpublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    That late, late goal from Marc McNulty seals a comeback win for Dundee United, who now take over in fourth place.

    It was scrappy - and incredibly McNulty's first goal from open play this season - but United won't give a jot about how it went in.

    It was no less than their second-half performance deserved. Courts' changes worked better than he could have imagined, and as a result his side rocket up the tightest of leagues.

    Harsh for St Mirren after such a dominant first-half, but it is a game of two halves...

  20. goal

    GOAL Raith Rovers 2-3 INVERNESS CTpublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 19 March 2022

    Logan Chalmers