Summary

  • St Mirren, third, 10 points above Motherwell, 10th

  1. Cheers for nowpublished at 18:05 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    That's all for today folks.

    The big news is Celtic slumping to consecutive league defeats, with Hearts enjoying a rare, but thoroughly deserved, win in Glasgow.

    If Rangers win their two games in hand, they go top.

    The Ibrox side are in the hunt for the first silverware of the season when they meet Aberdeen in tomorrow's Viaplay Cup final.

    Join us again for all of the action from Hampden.

  2. Sportscene reminderpublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    You can catch highlights and analysis from all of today's top flight games at 19:30 on BBC Scotland.

    A couple of crackers from Stephen Kingsley and Graham Carey on a low-scoring day.

  3. Martindale not out to blame Andersonpublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Livingston 0-0 Kilmarnock

    Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Scotland: "There was nothing at all in the game. If I take the penalty out the game, you're probably looking at 0-0 and thinking that's a true reflection.

    "We've had a free shot and not hit the target from the penalty, that's disappointing. We're all behind wee Brucey [Anderson].

    "When you're going through period of adversity, everything goes against you.

    "In normal circumstances, you've got your point and a clean sheet and you're dusting yourself down and moving on, but it doesn't feel like that at this point in time.

    "It's just about every one of sticking together and getting the club to where it needs to be. Now the preparation goes to the Aberdeen game."

    David MartindaleImage source, SNS
  4. 'They always go to the death' - Dochertypublished at 17:59 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Ross County 0-1 Dundee

    Dundee manager Tony Docherty tells BBC Scotland: "It's always brilliant to get a last-minute winner. We've been victim of that a few times this season.

    "I tell the players t's important that we're consistent because we'll recover those points, that's what happened today.

    "I do think we should have won, we were on the front foot. I was pleased coming in at 0-0 because of the conditions and the wind. We said to take the game to them second half and we got our just rewards.

    "Our levels of performance have been high and if we maintain that, the results will follow. I couldn't be more pleased for the players, they're a really hard working group with a great mentality - they always go to the death."

    Tony DochertyImage source, SNS
  5. 'We created the best chances' - Kettlewellpublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell

    Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "On chances created, [I think we should have won]. Anyone that was here would see that we created the best chances.

    "I understand we rely on Liam Kelly [for the penalty], but you look at the quality of chances we've had. Slattery, Spittal, Biereth and Theo Bair gets a really good chance.

    "There's a frustration in me. I'm delighted with the clean sheet, I'm delighted to come here and be as competitive as we were, but I think when you create those chances you have to take three points.

    "The players are giving everything for this football club, and there are no complaints with the performance from my side."

    Kettlewell applauds Motherwell fans at full-timeImage source, SNS
  6. Hibs 'not at the races' - Montgomerypublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: St Johnstone 1-0 Hibernian

    Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery tells BBC Scotland: "Disappointing result, disappointing performance in patches. We got punished for a mistake and we didn't capitalise on mistakes they made.

    "It was one of those games. It seemed like a mistake was going to cost one team a goal and we weren't good enough attacking-wise as a team, we didn't create enough chances. Full credit to them, they defended really well, put lots of bodies behind the ball and it just wasn't to be today.

    "I felt in the first half, we started the game well. We had a lot of the ball without hurting them. We needed a little more energy and creativity as a team to break them down. We capitalised on some mistakes but didn't finish them off.

    "I can't put my finger on it today. I said to the boys that we can't blame anyone but ourselves. We weren't at the races, knowing the standards that we set.

    "It was Dylan (Levitt) that made the mistake. It was a genuine mistake, it's on us as a team. We don't have a go at any individual."

    Hibs lost 1-0 in PerthImage source, SNS
  7. Postpublished at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell

    St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "Considering the conditions we had to play in, it was an entertaining game, wasn't it?

    "We missed a penalty, Greg [Kiltie] misses a really good chance where he slips, they had two good chances where Zach [Hemming] saved.

    "Probably a point is an even result and a fair result. I think when St Mirren are sat fourth in the league, we're doing fine.

    "We've got a super group that are giving everything, making chances, and yeah of course, we can be better, but we're having a very good season."

    RobinsonImage source, SNS
  8. 'Celtic going backwards'published at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Celtic 0-2 Hearts

    Tom English
    BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound

    Rangers have clearly improved but Celtic have come back towards them. They've dropped 12 points in the league already. They dropped 15 across all of last season.

  9. Celtic 'lacked desire' in defeatpublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Celtic 0-2 Hearts

    Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Sportsound: "It's an apology to the support. I don't think I've ever had to do that in all my time here. The performance today was nowhere near the level of what is expected of a Celtic player and a Celtic team.

    "We lacked any desire in our defending, we lacked that drive when we had the ball and that intensity. We could've played all day and not have scored. We got outdone by a corner, where we've been naively blocked, and then from a free-kick, where we were so passive in the build-up to them getting the free-kick.

    "I'm surprised at home that we produce that level of performance. It disappoints me greatly. We've not shown the necessary determination and the passive nature of it with and without the ball was a concern.

    "It's a really sore one for the fans.

    "It's been a really disappointing week in the league but this is where we see the strength of a Celtic player, when we have to get ready for the next challenge.

    "It's my job to inspire the team and find the levels that are required here, that's my only focus."

    Celtic manager Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
  10. McInnes not encouraging Armstrong interestpublished at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Livingston 0-0 Kilmarnock

    Kilmarnock manager Derek Adams tells BBC Scotland: "I thought that we were the better team. It wasn't without it's concern. We've played worse games here and won. We're just guilty of not taking our opportunities.

    "We got a wee bit of luck with a missed penalty. It's a point, the performance maybe deserved more. We looked like a team in a good place.

    "Danny Armstrong, for a spell in both halves, couldn't have done much more. He was different class.

    "Even when he's not at his best, he never hides. I love that. He has that swagger.

    "There will be people who would like him, but he's vitally important player to us, so we're certainly not inviting that [January interest from other clubs]."

    Derek McInnesImage source, SNS
  11. 'All three units excellent' - Leveinpublished at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: St Johnstone 1-0 Hibernian

    St Johnstone manager Craig Levein tells BBC Scotland: "Any win is good but there were some other things that were pleasing for me. I thought our work rate, effort and commitment to each other was excellent."

    On full debutant Fran Franczak: "Fran has been a breath of fresh air in training. He does everything we do in training with great enthusiasm and energy. My only concern with bringing him in was his position. He's a forward, not a defender. But he's so competitive that he enjoyed the contest and I thought he was fantastic."

    More praise: "DJ (Diallang Jaiyesimi) up through the middle himself, he was a handful for the centre-backs. We didn't concede an awful lot of chances, so from the defensive side it was good as well. It's not very often I get to talk about all three units - and the goalkeeper - being excellent."

    Craig Levein greeting game-winner Graham Carey with a big smile following full-time.Image source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Craig Levein greets game-winner Graham Carey with a big smile

  12. 'Saint should have won by more'published at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: St Johnstone 1-0 Hibernian

    Allan Preston
    Former St Johnstone defender on BBC Sportsound

    St Johnstone should have won by more. They were excellent and David Marshall was brilliant for Hibs.

    Keep an eye on Fran Franczak. The 16-year-old was tremendous.

  13. 'One of the worst games I've ever seen' - Adamspublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Ross County 0-1 Dundee

    Ross County manager Derek Adams tells BBC Scotland: "We were the better side, we had the better chances, most of the play, created good openings, and should have been ahead. That takes nothing away from the fact that the game was really poor.

    "The standard is shocking. It's one of the worst games I've ever seen. I've been back and I see the standard and I think 'wow - any chance?' If I'm a spectator watching this today, I'm thinking 'is this what Scottish football is all about?' It needs to up it's game.

    "We were better than Dundee. Tony Docherty has to say that because we were. They weren't in our box much, they put in good corners but did they trouble us? No.

    "I'm so disappointed. We've been done with a sucker punch but in the final third we have to be better. I can't change the standard at this moment in time. I'm so frustrated.

    "The players have to do a lot better than they're doing at the moment. Yes, we had a bounce but flipping heck... We need more than a bounce. We need players to give week in, week out."

    Derek AdamsImage source, SNS
  14. 'Hearts can be proud of victory'published at 17:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Celtic 0-2 Hearts

    Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland tells BBC Sportsound: "I thought our discipline and shape was very good when Celtic put us under pressure.

    "It's not easy to come to places like this and win. It's been a long time coming. We can be proud of it."

  15. 'Celebrated like a cup final'published at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Ross County 0-1 Dundee

    John Robertson
    Ex-Ross County manager on BBC Sportsound

    It's a massive win for Dundee. The fans were on the pitch like they'd won a cup final after that late show.

  16. Hearts show belief for 'big win' - Naismithpublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Celtic 0-2 Hearts

    Hearts head coach Steven Naismith tells BBC Sportsound: "It's a big win because of the record.

    "We needed a structure to work from, we needed to be disciplined, we needed to be composed on the ball and say, 'no, we're good enough to play against your press' because I would argue Celtic have got the best press in the league.

    "And then we've got to have the composure in the right moments. We've shown every bit of that, which is pleasing. We got the result we deserved.

    "We showed today that we've got belief. It's just another step in what we hope will be a successful run for the club."

    Hearts celebrate a famous win at Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Hearts celebrate a famous win at Celtic Park

  17. 'Livingston don't look themselves'published at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Livingston 0-0 Kilmarnock

    Rory Loy
    Former Rangers striker on Sportsound

    Livingston have a real battle on their hands if they want to stay in this division. They don't look themselves.

    I don't know if they have just grown old together and are at the stage where they are running out of enthusiasm or legs

  18. 'Celtic lacked quality'published at 17:17 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    FT: Celtic 0-2 Hearts

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    Hearts were well organised and compact. Everything was out wide for Celtic and they didn't do enough. They really struggled today. They lacked quality. A big, big disappointment.

  19. 'Naismith's biggest result'published at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    HT: Celtic 0-2 Hearts

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on Sportsound

    It was a good Hearts performance. They were comfortable and thoroughly deserved the victory. No question, this is the biggest result for Steven Naismith since he took over. And it was much-needed since it seemed like a bit of trouble was bubbling under the surface.

  20. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2023

    Scottish League 2

    Elgin City 0-4 The Spartans

    Forfar Athletic 2-4 Dumbarton

    Peterhead 2-1 Clyde

    Stenhousemuir 2-1 East Fife

    Stranraer 3-1 Bonnyrigg Rose