SPL Review of the Week - Hibs Shock Rangers, So Close For Gretna

Hibs pulled off a brilliant 1-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday to go top, albeit momentarily, of the SPL. It was shock result following the Glasgow side's win over Lyon mid-week, and extended Hibernian's incredible unbeaten run. Rangers had multiple chances to score, but it was the team from Edinburgh that took the lead when Darren Murphy leaped above Allan McGregor to head home. David Weir came closest to equalising when he missed from 2 yards out, but Hibs held firm to claim top spot.

That was until Celtic took it off them after completing an incredible comeback over bottom side Gretna. Davie Irons' men took the lead through a superb Yantorno free kick that left Boruc stranded. But after intense Celtic pressure, they finally equalised in the 85th minute when Chris Killen headed in. And the comeback was complete when Scott McDonald intercepted a shot 6 yards out, before slotting home.

Hearts and Falkirk played out an entertaining 6 goal-game at Tynecastle Stadium. The home side took a 4 goal lead through Ksanavicius, Zaliukas, Velicka, and an excellent effort from Nade. However, the away side hit back with two late goals from Barrett and Moutinho. Falkirk stay 9th, while the Jambos jump up to 5th.

Aberdeen beat St Mirren 4-0 in a one-sided game up at Pittodrie. De Visscher won 2 penalties which were both converted by Scott Severin, while Lee Miller grabbed the other goals. The Saints drop to 11th while the Dons stay in 8th following their poor start.

It wasn't a day for classy defending at Rugby park as Kilmarnock and Inverness were involved in a 2-2 draw. After just 30 seconds, Caley 'keeper Michael Fraser dropped a shot onto the post, which allowed Koudou to follow it in. Killie defender Ross Ford then headed into his own goal, before Nish beat the on-rushing goalie to regain the lead for the home side. However, Cowie equalised shortly after with a superb driven free-kick.

Finally, in a game of few chances, Darren Dods scored the only goal to give Dundee Utd a 1-0 victory over Motherwell. The defender headed into the net 12 minutes from time following Barry Robson's corner. United stay 4th, while Motherwell drop down to 6th.

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SPL Review of the Week - Well hold Gers, Penalties galore at Hibs

If you fancied seeing a few spot-kicks at the weekend, Easter Road was the place to be. Referee Stuart Dougal awarded 3 penalties to Hibs on their way to a 4-1 demolition of Kilmarnock. 1 of the penalties should not have been, but when you consider that another penalty was missed, justice was done. Clayton Donaldson grabbed a hat-trick with Antione-Curier scoring the other. Killie 'keeper Alan Combe made several great saves to prevent further humiliation, as Colin Nish replied for the away side. The Hibees remain unbeaten and creep up to 3rd, one point behind the Old Firm.

The top spot changed hands yet again as Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw at Motherwell. A wonderfully worked goal finished by Chris Porter gave the home side the lead, before Kris Boyd knocked home the equaliser, and his 4th goal of the season, to equalise.

This allowed Celtic to go top o goal difference after the beat St Mirren 3-0 in Glasgow thanks to a hat-trick for Scott McDonald. He scrambled home his first after 6 minutes, rounded the 'keeper for his second, and completed the scoring by tapping in Aiden McGeady's cross. It was harsh on Dundee Utd, who had several chances to equalises.

The ever inconsistent Hearts snatched all 3 points against St Mirren in a tight 3-1 encounter. Andrew Driver drilled home the first (funny how all of his goals are drives) for the Jambos, and then Stewart converted a penalty he won himself, albeit by diving. Mark Corcoran's header pulled one back for the Saints, but Hearts had the last laugh, sub Velicka running clear and slotting home.

Aberdeen condemned Gretna to the bottom of the SPL for the 1st time this season following a 2-0 victory. Zander Diamond's looping header found it's way into the net, before Jamie Smith's nonchalant long-range effort doubled their lead.

Caley Thistle were the benefactors after they beat Falkirk 4-2 in Inverness. The goal of the game came from Falkirk's Scott Arfield, who unleashed a brilliant 20-yard volley into the corner of the net. Kenny Milne got the Bairns' other goal, with Wyness (2), Duncan and Black netting for the home side.

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CIS Cup Review - Quick-Fire 'Well Defeat Hibs

Motherwell inflicted a 1st defeat of the season on CIS Cup holders Hibs, after 3 goals in 8 minutes secured a 4-2 victory. Donaldson opened the scoring for the Easter Road team before Clarkson and Lasley scored from some fine crosses. The best goal of the game came soon after, when a brilliant angled lob from Ross McCormack found its way into the top corner to make it 3-1. Motherwell added a fourth 7 minutes from time through Chris Porter, and then Antoine-Curier grabbed a late consolation.

Celtic were made to work hard by Dundee in their 2-1 victory last night. Despite the Tay side hitting the woodwork twice, it was the Hoops that took the lead through Scott McDonald. Said player then set up Vennegoor of Hesselink for the second, before Kevin McDonald set up a tense finish with his goal.

3rd Division East Fife were comfortably swept aside by SPL leaders Rangers 4-0 in a professional performance. Kris Boyd notched his 50th and 51st goals for the club, with Nacho Novo and Cuellar scoring the other 2.

Finally, Aberdeen swept aside Partick Thistle 2-0 to progress to the quarter finals, despite the 1st Division side dominating most of the game. However goals from Derek Young and Considine killed of the Jags' fight.

This is how the quarter final draw turned out:

Aberdeen v Inverness CT
Dundee Utd v Hamilton Academical
Celtic v Hearts
Motherwell v Rangers

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CIS Cup Review - Hamilton Teens sink Killie

Scotland's cup competitions rarely ever have an upset, such is the gulf in class between the SPL and other divisions, so it makes it even more special when something like this happens.

First Division leaders Hamilton looked far superior to their SPL visitors Kilmarnock, and they capped a fine display with a 2-0 victory. 16 year old James McCarthy opened the scoring after David Winters cross fell kindly for him in front of goal. Then 19 year old James McArthur slotted home the second after a handled clearance broke kindly for him. Killie had no reply, and weren't helped by the sending off of David Fernandez in the 78th minute. Hamilton progress to the quarter-finals.

Inverness and Gretna met in what was a battle of the 2 teams at the bottom of the SPL. Caley Thistle dominated proceedings against the team above them with a 3-0 win. Graham Bayne opened the scoring with a header before Barry Wilson grabbed the second. A tap-in from Denis Wyness sealed the victory.

Hearts left it late to record a 4-1 win over a spirited Dunfermline side. The Jambos opened the scoring through a Christian Nade penalty early on. However, Stephen Simmons grabbed an equaliser with 5 minutes left against the run of play. The game went to extra time, but then Hearts showed their superior finishing and fitness levels through Christophe Berra's strike and double from Calum Elliot.

In the final game of the evening, Dundee Utd got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win away to Falkirk. Patrick Cregg missed a penalty for the home side before Lee Wilkie headed in on the hour mark. Robertson struck the post for United late on in a game of few chances.

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SPL Review - Boruc's keeping skills go AWOL, Gretna and Caley Win!

I know, I know, the Old Firm vs some relatively good clubs are big news, but nothing compared to the mighty Gretna grabbing all three points against high-flying Dundee Utd.

Prince Bauben opened the scoring for the Tangerines after 9 minutes but David Cowan volleyed home after a goal-mouth scramble. The same man then gave Gretna the lead, latching onto Colin McMenamin's header, only for Lee Wilkie to equalise for the away side. But then super sub and former Stranraer midfielder Allan Jenkins headed from a tight angle to give the home side a 3-2 victory.

Also recording their first win was Inverness Caley Thistle, with a fine 2-1 home victory over Hearts. It was the away side who took the lead though, Ian Black deflecting Andrew Driver's low cross into the back of his own net. Caley Thistle equalised in the 64th minute, when Hearts goalie Steven Banks could only parry Barry Wilson's volley, and Denis Wyness was on hand to tap home from 1 yard. The home side grabbed a dramatic injury time winner, when substitute and 40-year-old player manager Craig Brewster, scored a brilliant top corner volley from Alan Morgan's cross.

Hibernian continued their unbeaten start to the season with a excellent 3-2 win over Champions Celtic. Hoops 'keeper Artur Boruc's nightmare started when he allowed Steven Fletcher's tame 30-yard shot to bounce over him. Celtic equalised 15 minutes later when Aiden McGeady struck home following some fine build-up play. Thierry Gathuessi restored the home side's one goal lead before Celtic equalised again through Gary Caldwell's header. However, there was one final twist in the tale. Zemmama's drive, which was heading wide, was parried by Boruc, but he fumbled it straight into the path of one-eyed Dean Shields, who happily tucked home the winner in the 87th minute.

Ranger took full advantage of this slip up by recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Aberdeen to go back on top of the SPL. After a goalless 1st half, Lee McCulloch opened proceedings with a thunderous 35-yard half-volley that dipped over Jamie Langfield and nearly burst the net. Steven Naismith scored his first for the club after beating Diamond at the near post and then smashing home from a tight angle. Substitute Kris Boyd rounded off the scoring with an angled drive in the box.

In the other 2 games, Falkirk beat Motherwell 1-0 at home after the away side had wasted a host of chances to score. Russell Latapy's free kick cross eluded attackers, defenders and the goalkeeper as it sailed into the net. Kilmarnock played out a dour 0-0 draw with St Mirren. Colin Nish's cleared-off-the-line shot was the closest either side came to scoring.

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SPL Review - Hearts beat Gers, Celtic go top

A rampant Hearts side halted Rangers 5-game winning streak thanks to a 4-2 win at Tynecastle. The win knocks the Gers off of top spot as hearts move up to 7th in the table. A driving drive from Andrew Driver got things rolling for the Jambos, with Tall, Stewart and Ivaskevicius completing the scoring. Cousin continued his goal run from the penalty spot, with Beasley grabbing Rangers 2nd.

This slip up early on gave Celtic the opportunity to move into 1st place, and they took it in style, thrashing Inverness 5-0 at Celtic Park. Caley Thistle put up a decent fight, but they look to be in serious trouble after 0 points so far this season. The biggest name in Scottish football grabbed a brace (that's Vennegoor of Hesselink to those not in the know), with Nakamura and Donati also on the scoresheet.

Just above ICT are Gretna, who lost their 5th game of the season to Kilmarnock. Gibson and Jarvis scored 2 within 36 minutes, before Colin McMenamin missed from the spot. A superb effort outside of the box from Gavin Skelton pulled one back for the home side, but as it has been for much of this season, it wasn't enough. Killie stay 6th.

Another 2-1 game was played out up at Pittodrie, with Motherwell claiming all three points against a wasteful Aberdeen side. 'Well took their chances to go 2-0 up before the break, before Jamie Smith's superb free-kick got one back. Motherwell remain 5th while the Dons stay in 9th place.

Meanwhile Dundee Utd continued their fine start to the campaign with a 2-0 victory over St Mirren. The victory moved them up to 3rd spot, while the Saints slip down to 8th. Jordan Robertson and Noel Hunt with the goals.

Finally, red was the flavour of the day at the Falkirk Stand, sorry stadium, where the ref sent off no fewer than 3 players. Clayton Donaldson was in the thick of the action, winning a penalty, scoring it, and then being sent off for 2 bookable offences. Moutinho equalised after the break to make it 1-1, before teammate Barr was sent off for disputing a throw-in. The poor and scrappy game ended in a somewhat appropriate fashion, as Hibs' Clegg was then sent off after receiving 2 yellow cards.
Unbeaten Hibs slip down to 4th, while the Bairns stay in 10th spot.

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