Scottish Football Results Show Matchday 1 part 2
David Currie goes around the grounds bringing the latest scores in the Scottish leagues.
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00:00against Wraith Rovers. Interestingly, I was reading Wraith Rovers finished second last
00:06season, never managed to beat Airdrie all last season, so maybe that's quite expected
00:10that scoreline.
00:11It happened like that a lot last season, I think you found the top teams were kind of
00:16slipping up and it wasn't who you would expect them to slip up against, but certainly Airdrie,
00:22they're a club that are growing, they're a club that are kind of having that bit of patience
00:27because they can see the vision, they can see what Reece Mckay, such a young manager
00:32and they can see what he's trying to build there. I think last season, having only just
00:36come up into the league, I thought they had a brilliant season, I thought they were really
00:40good, they played entertaining football and it's going to be exciting to see how they
00:45can grow this season as well.
00:46They do play a very attractive brand of football, Steven, don't they?
00:50Yeah, and a lot of young players, the young players who give them opportunities. The next
00:55teammate of mine at St Mern, I think he's a best player, young Dean McMaster, he runs
00:59games for them. As I said, he's got that style where he puts so much trust in the young players
01:04and so far it's worked out.
01:07Rafe Rovers, after the season they had last year, I worried about them going into this
01:12season when you go so close to the league, they ran Dundee United very close. You get
01:17to the play-offs, you have that disappointment against Ross County and it's that marathon
01:22season and having to go again, where people are talking about you being favourites for
01:25the league and they'll be really disappointed with the start they've had.
01:28Ian Murray says, I was reading comments he made yesterday and he says it'll be tougher,
01:33the league's going to be tougher this season.
01:34I think it will as well, I think when you look at the teams in it, there's so many that
01:38it's so difficult to call, there's so many who you can see being really close to each
01:42other and so many of them that you can see them taking points off each other as well
01:48and I do agree, I think it does, I think it's really a difficult one to call and I think
01:53it just shows you that every single game is so important, it's just about the concentration
01:58in games as well because we're talking about the 0-0 draws that we've got, we're talking
02:03about Partick Thistle at the moment and every point's going to just be so important to them
02:07if they want to be in and around the top at the end of the season.
02:11Aye Thistle, well they're drawing at the moment but they did well in the League Cup, unlucky
02:16to go out, they only lost the one game and that was unfortunately for them against Clyde,
02:22otherwise they did well, they beat Motherwell on penalties, in fact it was the most bizarre,
02:26it was the first time they've witnessed a penalty shootout that didn't really make any
02:31difference.
02:32Yeah, I think the players stepping up felt like that as well because of some lacklustre
02:36in the penalties but I think they'd be really disappointed looking back in the group stage
02:41just that night against Clyde, what could have been because the group was there for
02:44them to top it if they'd beaten Clyde that night.
02:47It's now gone full time in this afternoon's one and only three o'clock kick-off in the
02:53Premiership, Motherwell against Ross County, there we see the coaching staff sharing handshakes
03:00at full time, anything happen Jane in this second half?
03:04Well there were certainly no goals, there were plenty of opportunities though and some
03:08close range efforts from both sides from their point of view but yeah, finished Motherwell
03:13nil, Ross County nil here at Fir Park.
03:16Manager Stuart Kettlewell might be slightly more complimentary of his side after this
03:20one but you know, some of the old frustrations will still be there because Motherwell had
03:24loads of possession, they had plenty of chances especially in the second half as well but
03:28they just could not finish.
03:30I think it's probably fair to say that two really good chances for Motherwell came in
03:34the first half, they had two glorious chances in that opening 45 minutes, Zac Robinson pinched
03:40the ball from Ross County defender Will Nightingale, he had a bit of a nightmare in that situation,
03:45he raced towards goal but he somehow shot his effort wide and then after that one Ross
03:50Laidlaw made a quite brilliant save, throwing himself at the close range effort from Moses
03:55Abbey, the Motherwell player but the follow up from Ewan Wilson was also blocked as well
04:01so two really good chances for Motherwell in the first half, they ended the first half
04:05really strongly and in the second half they came out all guns blazing as well, they had
04:08plenty of possession and plenty of chances too but as I say, really similar story, familiar
04:13story from last season, they just could not finish, while Ross County, what they did with
04:17the ball, they actually created one or two really decent chances and Motherwell had Aston
04:22Oxenborough in the Motherwell goal to thank for making a couple of really timely saves,
04:26the save from Ronan Hales, free quick, it was quite superb, there were two big moments
04:30towards the end of this one, Jordan White from Ross County, former Motherwell player
04:34of course had a glorious opportunity but he headed over and then Ewan Wilson, academy
04:38player for Motherwell, he could have been a hero for the well but his shot was brilliantly
04:43saved by Ross Laidlaw, so points shared here, it ended Motherwell 0, Ross County 0.
04:49So it's the Championship for goals this afternoon, full time is beginning to filter through,
04:53the first of which comes from Chick Young, he was watching Airdrie O'Neill's against
04:58the Faith Rovers.
04:59And it's full three points for Airdrie, off to a flyer in the league season, it wasn't
05:04a classic football match, it was pretty meaty at times, but one goal was enough to give
05:08them all three points, it came from the unlikely source of Dylan Macdonald across from the
05:13left hand side, a corner worked in and it came across into a crowd of players and Macdonald
05:17was just at the far post and the easiest tap in to give Airdrie the lead and indeed eventually
05:23all three points.
05:24There were very few chances in the game I have to say, Ben Wilson hit the bar after
05:30a magnificent pass from Rhys Armstrong into the second half and there were one or two
05:35other chances in that as well, there was a lot of tasty tackles going in, there was one
05:40Calum Fordyce who was the assistant manager here last season and of course the cousin
05:44of the current manager Rhys McCabe, he put in a challenge that ended with Rhys Armstrong's
05:50boot flying about 20 feet into there and 20 feet away from the player, I had to close
05:55my eyes on that one, but no early action was taken, the referee said it was a legitimate
05:59challenge, it was that kind of afternoon, a few bookings on both sides, but in the end
06:04a disappointment I think for Iain Murray, the Wraith Rovers boss, who was once manager
06:08here at Airdrie and joy of course for Rhys McCabe, the player manager of the home side,
06:14they go into the start of the season full three points, it's going to be an interesting
06:18few months all the way around till next spring. Full time here, Airdrie 1, Wraith Rovers 0.
06:24Thanks very much Chick, let's hear from Leanne Creighton next, she was watching Hamilton
06:27against Air United.
06:28I was David, thanks, it finished here, Hamilton-Akies 0, Air United 2, and I was treated to an entertaining
06:35afternoon I would need to say, Air United took a first half advantage after a George
06:40Stanger goal, he gave his side the lead, in strange circumstances actually, Akies defence
06:46stood with their hands up in the air as if he was clearly offside, which he wasn't, he
06:50took a touch and he stabbed the ball home from four yards out. Kevin O'Hara, he then
06:54almost drew his side level just before half time, a great effort with a left foot outside
06:59the box, but that was met by a brilliant Harry Stone save, he got down well to his left hand
07:03side and then inside the opening minutes of the second half, Frankie Massonda, he should
07:07have doubled the advantage for Air United early on, but could only get enough contact
07:11on the ball to divert it onto the post, then Akies cleared, midway into the second half,
07:1720 yards out, Kyle MacDonald, he crashed one off the crossbar, he thought he had drew his
07:21Akies side level, and it had come from brilliant play down the right hand side from Regan Tumulty,
07:25who was a handful the entire afternoon, but Akies problems did start to mount, Scott Martin,
07:31he was sent off after 67 minutes, a second bookable offence that was for the Akies midfielder,
07:36and Air United were soon to capitalise on that numerical advantage, Marco Roos was the
07:41provider after a powerful run through the midfield, and a lovely slip pass I would need to say,
07:46found the clever run of Anton Dowds, and he wrapped things up with a wonderful left footed
07:50strike beyond Charlie Albinson, who just couldn't get close, Kyle MacDonald, he thought he'd given
07:55his side a lifeline, 86 minutes on the clock, but again that one came crashing back off the post,
08:00it's a near perfect start to this league campaign, certainly for Scott Brown and his Air United side,
08:05it finishes here at New Douglas Park, Hamilton Akies 0, Air United 2.
08:09And we're off to Firhill next, where Kyle MacDonald is waiting to tell us
08:14between Partick Thistle and Morton.
08:16It finished as it was, last time I spoke to you DC, Partick Thistle 0, Morton 0,
08:20and in truth Partick Thistle really didn't get going at all this afternoon,
08:24they had a short 20 minute spell in the first half where they created a couple of chances,
08:28the best of those falling to Scott Robinson, who directed a Waziri Williams shot just wide,
08:33he was looking for the linesman, it was a good chance, but he couldn't get it on target,
08:37in truth Morton played the better of the football, J Emmanuel Thomas had their best chance in the first half,
08:41but Thistle keeper Miles Roberts stood up well and managed to stop it with his feet,
08:45in the second half it was Morton that played the majority of the football, Owen Moffat and Aaron Lyle
08:50with a lovely wee interchange which led to Moffat shooting, but it was deflected up
08:54and Partick Thistle keeper again pushed it over the bar, I think Morton will be the happier of the two sides
08:59with this result, there was a few boos from the Partick Thistle fans at full time,
09:02it finishes Partick Thistle 0, Morton 0.
09:05It's a wee bit early for the booing, first game of the season is it not?
09:08It's very early.
09:09But it looks like that's going to be the only draw in the championship this afternoon,
09:15in fact a goalless draw, still playing at a level 2-0, they lead in their match against Dunfermline,
09:21but Morton I think might be quite pleased with that.
09:24I think you would, I think to go to Firhill and get a draw, first game of the season,
09:28I think that is a really good result, you've got a clean sheet,
09:33plenty I'm sure that they can build on for the next game, but certainly to win your away games,
09:40and especially that fixture, I think they'll be delighted with that.
09:43I saw Dougie Emery at Firth Park watching Thistle last week,
09:46you obviously managed to, not get the better of them, but to nullify any goal threat they had.
09:52It's a real solid start for Morton, I think teams are always going to struggle going down to Capolo,
09:58it's such a tough place to go, you know what you're going to get down there,
10:02real physical battle for Morton, so if they can go to places like part of Thistle and pick up points,
10:08I think Dougie Emery will be really pleased with that.
10:10Also very pleased will be Reece McCabe of Airdrie, first win in the league today,
10:18he's a manager there'll be plenty of eyes on his progress this season, still playing as well.
10:23Yeah, I mean I can't imagine how difficult that must be to still be playing,
10:28but yeah a young manager that's already shown the potential that he's got,
10:32having had such a great season last year, he's obviously working really well,
10:37he's players off the pitch throughout the week,
10:39and the fact that they're winning their first home game against Raith Rovers,
10:44who we know were such a successful side last season,
10:47then you can see that there is real potential there, he's off good stock,
10:52he's anti-Shelley, she's somebody that I'm sure he'll rely on,
10:56but yeah certainly a coach and a manager with lots of potential.
11:01She had two nephews playing in that game didn't she?
11:03She did yeah, and unfortunately for her they were at opposite teams this season,
11:08but I'm sure she was supporting the both of them.
11:10Do you ever fancy a crack at the player manager role Stephen?
11:13No, no.
11:16Captain was enough.
11:17I've just stepped into coaching and I can see how hard it is,
11:19I've now found respect for managers that have done it a long time,
11:22at first team level it's non-stop,
11:25but yeah I think, I have Airdrie in the running,
11:29I think Bruce McCabe's done an amazing job,
11:32I think what he's achieved he's got no right to with the budget,
11:34I mean the budget he's got going into this season,
11:37he shouldn't be in the reckoning, but they are,
11:39they're a brilliant football team and you speak about how hard that is for Morton,
11:44going to Capelo, how physical a battle it is,
11:46going to Airdrie, every team you need to be so organised or you'll not touch the ball.
11:50Right then, our final full time from the Championship is wafting its way towards us,
11:55it comes from Livingston against Dunfermline and it's brought to us by Amy.
11:59There was the threat of late drama David,
12:03rather let me put my teeth in before we start,
12:06we'll get to that in a moment, but it is all over eventually as you say,
12:08and Livingston mark their return to the Scottish Championship eventually,
12:12with a comfortable win against Dunfermline Athletic,
12:15after six seasons in the top flight,
12:17Davey Martindale's side were relegated of course after finishing bottom of the Premiership,
12:21and their first goal back in the second tier came via a player who was with them
12:25when they were last in this division, rather fittingly,
12:27Scott Pittman, who as we were alluding to earlier,
12:29he'll celebrate ten years with the club later this season,
12:32he slammed the hosts ahead in the second half,
12:34following an intense period of pressure on the Dunfermline backline,
12:37and it sparked a much stronger second half from the Lions,
12:40they showed their dominance and controlled the game,
12:43a second goal always appeared likely,
12:44and it came from a familiar source in Stephen Kelly,
12:47the midfielder who saw his very powerful free kick punched away in the first half actually,
12:52was played in unselfishly by Lewis Smith,
12:54after a wonderful work down the left-hand side,
12:56and as I teased there,
12:58potential late drama when Craig Napier pointed to the spot after Ryan McGowan fouled someone,
13:03nobody around me knows who he fouled,
13:05because nobody was looking, it was a rare occurrence in the second half,
13:09that Dunfermline even made it into the Livingston box,
13:11Craig Napier with, it must have been 30 seconds or so to go,
13:14pointed to the spot, the fans around me were all upon their feet,
13:17they couldn't believe it, they were in disbelief,
13:19and then perhaps fittingly, justice was prevailed,
13:23David Willerson stood up and he slammed his penalty off the crossbar,
13:27he rebounded header two as well, went high above Shamal Georgie's goal,
13:31so it does end here, eventually, in Livingston,
13:33on their return to the Championship, Livingston 2, Dunfermline 0.
13:37Thanks very much Amy, and that full-time report takes us rather nicely
13:40to today's Classified Results round-up.
13:49And off we go, eventually, with the William Hill Scottish Premiership,
13:54Hearts 0, Rangers 0, Motherwell 0, Ross County 0,
13:59three games tomorrow, Dundee United at home to Dundee,
14:02St Mirren vs Hibernian, and Celtic against Kilmarnock,
14:05also on Monday, St John's in Aberdeen.
14:06In the Championship, Falkirk 2, Queen's Park 1,
14:13that was played last night, Airdrie Oneans 1, Wraith Rovers 0,
14:17Hamilton Academical 0, Ayr United 2, Livingston 2,
14:21Dunfermline Athletic 0, Partick Thistle 0, Morton 0.
14:28On to League 1, Alloa Athletic 0, Coonagh the South 0,
14:31Cove Rangers 1, Annan Athletic 3, Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1,
14:36Dumbarton 1, Montrose 1, Kelty Hearts 1, Stenismuir 2, Arbroath 1.
14:45In League 2, Bonnie Rigg Rose 0, Peterhead 1, Edinburgh City 1,
14:49Stirling Albion 2, Elgin City 4, East Fife 2, Forfar Athletic 0,
14:56Clyde 0, and Stranraer 2, Spartans 2.
15:01So we'll go short and sweet with the results today,
15:03no English League action yet,
15:06what would be your most significant result in both divisions today?
15:12You've not got much choice in the Premiership to be fair.
15:14I mean to not have a single goal is pretty disappointing.
15:18It's going to be some highlight show tonight.
15:22But I think Hearts will be delighted to get off to a good start,
15:26really important I think, that third spot last season,
15:30they'll definitely have their sights set on that or better.
15:33And I think probably last season with Hibbs and Aberdeen not quite firing,
15:39two clubs that are maybe the same type of expectation, the same size,
15:44I think we'd probably expect something different from them this year,
15:47meaning Hearts will need to make sure they're continuing with their form from last season.
15:52I think the performance today, they certainly looked exciting,
15:56the players that they had on the bench still to bring on and strengthen
15:59and make a difference in the game as well, was a real positive for Hearts.
16:03And Rangers still looking like very much a work in progress to you?
16:08Yeah, they'll be disappointed.
16:11Not the start.
16:11I mean, every season the objective of Rangers is to win the league.
16:16And to start, it's probably the manner of it that Phil Clement touched on it,
16:21a draw was a fair result.
16:22And out the two, you said it was maybe a missed opportunity for Hearts.
16:27I think Rangers were there to be beaten today.
16:30So a decent enough point in the context of their performance, but not in the season.
16:35Well, we can hear now from the Rangers manager,
16:37Philippe Clement and his counterpart at Hearts, Stephen Naismith.
16:42It was an enjoyable game.
16:43It was an entertaining game for being nothing each.
16:47The headlines are all going to be Rangers have dropped points.
16:49I get that, but I think a lot of that was down to us.
16:51We performed really well.
16:52First half, we had a lot of control.
16:54We're probably the better of the possession,
16:56and what you would class as good possession that creates chances.
17:00And I thought we controlled that in the first half.
17:03We had some good chances.
17:04We never took them.
17:06And then in the second half, they changed slightly and dropped into our back three times.
17:09And they had a lot of the ball, but it was in front of us.
17:11They go a bit more direct.
17:12And I think that then, by percentage, they're going to give up chances.
17:17They get some chances and either team could have won it.
17:20But I thought we played really well.
17:22I'm never content with a point because I always want to win.
17:25But it's a fair result.
17:27At the end, I think we didn't play a good first half.
17:31For sure, first half hour, after we reacted better.
17:34And for sure, when we could speak about things in halftime and show things,
17:38it was a much, much better second half.
17:40But the team needs to recognise these things on the pitch already faster.
17:44So those are working points.
17:46But that's normal in the rebuild that we are doing.
17:50And then you see in the second half, we play more our normal game.
17:53But then you need to finish off also the chances, of course.
17:57But it was first half for Hearts and second half for us.
18:00So it's a fair result at the end.
18:02Julie's talking about this rebuild that's underway,
18:05and it looks as though he's going to be there to see it through.
18:08At least that's what appears from him signing a contract extension yesterday.
18:12Yeah, I think they've obviously seen something in his coaching
18:15and the way he goes about his business last season
18:19to offer him the contract extension.
18:21It does give him time, you would assume then, to follow through with the rebuild.
18:27The problem is when you're at a club like Rangers,
18:30time's not something that the fans are willing to give you.
18:32They will want to make sure that they're going to be challenging this year.
18:37And with Celtic not looking to have weakened at all,
18:41they look only to be better than what they were, how they finished the season.
18:44Then it's going to be a big ask.
18:46And not too many of his new signings on show today either.
18:48No, that's the problem with having a rebuild at a club the size of Rangers.
18:52Rebuilds are only allowed to happen in the off-season.
18:55You have to be absolutely bang ready for the start of the season.
18:58I think he's still got a bit of business to do.
19:00But as you say, it was still a lot of players from last season.
19:03And already you're thinking there's two points dropped into the season.
19:09There's an absolute demand at a club that size that they have to be ready.
19:13It doesn't matter that you've not made all your signings or your signings aren't ready to go.
19:18You just have to find a way to win.
19:19Do you think Hearts' target will be third place again in the league?
19:22Or do you think they can dream of maybe finishing higher?
19:26I think they'll certainly, third will be the bare minimum that they'll want to achieve.
19:31But I think going off the back of the result and the performance that they got today,
19:35let's not forget that they were a really strong side.
19:39They had lots of opportunities.
19:40They created problems for Rangers.
19:42Then they'll be thinking that they can even be challenging a bit higher than that.
19:46But certainly, we haven't seen anything yet from the other teams
19:51that are really going to be wanting that third spot as well.
19:53Killian had such a strong season last year.
19:56They look like they're going to be possibly better with the few players that they've added.
20:01And then you've got Hibs in Aberdeen that will be absolutely determined
20:05to make sure that this season goes better than last.
20:08How would you make it the Hearts' business?
20:09Stephen Naismith did it early on.
20:11The bulk of it, you know, Danda, Spittle.
20:15Yeah, a lot of smart business.
20:17Players that have been good in the league, know the league.
20:21It was probably looking at the dynamics of how it's going to work.
20:24I think Jan Danda and Blair Spittle both had excellent seasons,
20:27but both in the middle of the park, that area that Shankland was operating in.
20:31He's a captain, he's a tallies man.
20:33They're not going to get that position.
20:36So it's how they fit them all in.
20:39Tell you what, folks, it's a big week ahead for three of our clubs in Europe,
20:42with Rangers, St Minnan, Kilmarnock, all in action.
20:45Let's have a quick look at those fixtures.
20:47Rangers travelling to Poland to face Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday evening,
20:52while on Thursday, Kelly and Saints both host Norwegian opposition
20:56in the form of Tromso and Bran Bergen.
20:59Let's talk about the big one, St Minnan against Bran.
21:02Stephen, you were there on Thursday as Saints swept past Valour,
21:06a great occasion for all the buddies, even the ones who couldn't watch it
21:09because they were on an anniversary night out.
21:11They'd been booked months in advance,
21:13but it was a brilliant return to European action in Paisley for the buddies.
21:18It was everything you could ever want from a big night at a football club.
21:22The sun was shining, the stadium just looked amazing,
21:26everyone in black and white, and the players really stepped up.
21:30I think Valour are a decent side,
21:32but St Minnan just didn't give them a chance to breathe,
21:34and what a threat they're going to be from set-pieces this season.
21:37That's an unbelievable strike, that one.
21:40Zinedine O'Hara there.
21:42If you can have O'Hara in top form, he's a really clever player
21:47and an important player for St Minnan.
21:49If he can be on that type of goal-scoring form,
21:52then he'll be a big player for them again this year.
21:55Another set-piece coming there, Stephen, for the fourth goal.
21:58Alex Iacovitti stabbing it home eventually.
22:01It does sound as if work has been done on that aspect of things.
22:05Yes, Sean Rooney was telling the club secrets live on TV,
22:11which I'm sure he got hit with a little bit of a fine for.
22:14They just need to change that signal, don't they?
22:17A double bluff.
22:18Still use it, and teams might think...
22:20But Stephen Robinson, it looks as though he's recruited well,
22:23and there were big changes there.
22:24I think there were six or seven players new to that line-up.
22:28Yes, I think he needs to build a squad, that's the thing.
22:33Last season they had such a good season to get into,
22:37to play European football is massive for a club like St Minnan.
22:40You're going to need extra players, you're going to need a squad,
22:43you're going to rely on others.
22:46You can't just go with your 11 that you've got.
22:48You're going to need players because the games come in thick and fast.
22:52So I think that's what he'll be trying to do,
22:53is make sure that he's got depth within his squad,
22:56he's got quality that can step in when he needs them.
22:58It was a brilliant occasion, I agree with Stephen.
23:02It was a great game, a really convincing win,
23:05and you could just feel the buzz just watching it on the TV,
23:09that the fans were just having a great night.
23:12A tougher obstacle in this next round though, Stephen, you would think?
23:15Yes, it gets tougher.
23:17All we can ask for in Europe,
23:19you're the seeded team, beat the teams you're meant to win,
23:22you're beat.
23:22You're now coming up against Brand, who have a bit more experience,
23:27third in the Norwegian League, so it's going to be a tough game,
23:29but absolutely no reason why you can't go through
23:33if you match the performance from Thursday night.
23:37I think within that, you make a bit of good signings.
23:40I think the coaching, I think what Stephen Robinson's done for Toise Olisanya,
23:45I think he's really turned around his Samaritan career,
23:48and probably his career in general.
23:50Did that spell on loan to Arbroath?
23:51Arbroath didn't really happen, I think it gave him a bit of fright
23:54of what that next drop-off looks like,
23:56and he's come back and he's so hungry.
23:59Although the manager would love to call on
24:01Conor McManaman, Greg Kilty,
24:03a little shift in formation and having the big striker up
24:06next to Toise, I think it's really brought out the best in him.
24:09If he can add goals to his game,
24:11he's going to be a real important player for St Mirna this season.
24:13If they could repeat that performance on Thursday night,
24:15that would be great, wouldn't it?
24:16But it's important to get the win in the home leg.
24:20It is, I think the first game's the unknown for a lot of these players.
24:24You're probably a bit nervous going into the match
24:27because you don't know what to expect when you're playing in European football.
24:31So to already have that behind them,
24:34to know what they're capable of,
24:36to know that they can compete at that level,
24:38yes, I know this next fixture will be more difficult,
24:41but off the back of that, the players will be filled with confidence
24:43going into that game.
24:45Another one of your former clubs, Stephen,
24:46Kilmarnock, they drop into conference qualifying.
24:50They'll be disappointed, but they'll be desperate to give it a right good go
24:53against another Norwegian team.
24:56You mentioned Bran, third in the league.
24:57Tromsø are a wee bit further down, I think they're about 10th at the moment.
25:00So that should give Kelly a wee bit of confidence.
25:03Yeah, we watched the first leg
25:04and I didn't think there was anything between the teams.
25:07I think Derek McInnes would be really disappointed.
25:09Just the manner of the goal,
25:13communication, both players going for the ball.
25:15And when you go to these places, that would have been the message.
25:19I think having Matty Kennedy, Fraser Murray on the bench,
25:22it would have been really tight, tight ship at the back.
25:25And let's take it later in the game, might take the extra time.
25:27But when you give a goal away like that,
25:31going away, it makes it really difficult.
25:33But again, I think it's a tie they can win.
25:35I thought Rugby Park was equally impressive,
25:38looked brilliant in the night that Serco came to town.
25:41So Tromsø know how tough it's going to be going to Kilmarnock.
25:44It's proud to see these packed grounds, isn't it, for these games?
25:48It is, yeah. It really is.
25:50When you see the clubs like St Mirren and Kilmarnock competing at that level.
25:53And 3,000 Kelly fans over in Belgium for that game.
25:56Yeah, I mean, it is.
25:57And they look like they're going to have a support that will back them.
26:01This leg as well.
26:03And I really hope they do.
26:04But first of all, that home tie, they need to make sure they get a positive result.
26:10And the second leg, hopefully they can go over there with something to hang on to.
26:15Not too many changes for Kelly from last season, Stephen?
26:18No, I think that's how he likes to, Derek McInnes likes to operate.
26:23He could almost name his Aberdeen team for a good three or four years at times.
26:27Over his spells, I think he rewards players with new contracts.
26:30But sometimes at clubs, you see turnovers with players leaving at the end of contracts
26:35because they've not tied them up early enough.
26:37It's something he does really well.
26:39I think there's a real good edge at the club.
26:42A lot of players that can get even better.
26:43And domestically, you speak about Aberdeen and Hibs.
26:47I don't think Kilmarnock and St Mirren are going to go away.
26:51Just because they get their own house in order doesn't mean that these teams
26:54aren't getting better as well.
26:55So they'll be all the better for having these experiences.
26:58Now, the third of our trio in action this week is Rangers.
27:02And they've got what looks like Dynamo Kyiv's
27:07recent performances in Europe, but a really tough one for Rangers.
27:10There were 9-2 winners on aggregate over Partizan
27:13Velgrade, 6-2 in the first leg and then 3-0 away from home.
27:16The game's been held in Poland.
27:19And when you look at Rangers today, it's just right at the start of the season.
27:23The building project is underway.
27:26That looks tough.
27:27It does.
27:28And I mean, it's not been a great pre-season for Rangers either in terms of results.
27:34So it's a massive, massive game for them.
27:36We're talking about the rebuild.
27:38Well, you need funds to do that.
27:39And what better way to increase your funds
27:43than to make Champions League, to inherit that money.
27:48But before they do that, they've got a really, really tough fixture.
27:52And I think now they'll be able to focus on that.
27:55And the game's just coming round really quickly.
27:57So the performance this afternoon wasn't good enough.
28:01It won't be good enough when they come up against teams in Europe.
28:04And they'll really need to make sure that they have an improvement on that.
28:08Do you anticipate many changes to the Rangers starting line-up from today for the European tie?
28:12I wouldn't have thought so.
28:14I mean, Rangers have taken a lot of criticism over the last three or four years
28:18for different things domestically, but they have dug out impressive results in Europe.
28:23A lot of the players, they've lost a lot of players, have moved on.
28:27But there's still a lot of those players that have been involved in European campaigns
28:31and are pretty experienced in the two-legged fixtures.
28:35So although Dynamo Kiev are where Rangers want to be in terms of fully firing,
28:41I think it's a tie they can be competitive in and manage to go through.
28:45So much for Europe.
28:46There are four Premiership games still to be played this weekend,
28:49partly due to Scottish clubs playing in Europe on Thursday.
28:52One of them, Kilmarnock, are away to champion Celtic tomorrow.
28:55St Mirren are home to Hibs, and it's the return of the Dundee Derby,
29:00as newly promoted United welcome their arch-rivals to Tannadise.
29:04Then on Monday, new Aberdeen boss Jimmy Tallinn takes his charges to Perth to face St Johnson.
29:10Sportsound and or Sportscene have them all covered, as you might expect.
29:15First up, though, on Sunday, the first Dundee Derby in a couple of years.
29:19Last time they met was a 2-2 draw in April 2022.
29:23We'll show you the pictures. They're just for context.
29:26That's what it's all about, Stephen.
29:28A packed Tannadise, plenty of excitement, hopefully plenty of goals tomorrow,
29:34but it's great to have it back, is it not?
29:35Amazing. Love the fixture.
29:37Love watching them, love playing in them.
29:40Managed to play in one at Den's Inn at Tannadise.
29:43It's great to have it back, great to have it back in the top flight,
29:45and really looking forward to the game tomorrow.
29:49It's always got everything, and as you say, atmosphere electric.
29:54Although Dundee United are hosting, I think Dundee going into the game is favourites for me.
29:58I was going to say, a lot of water under a Tay Bridge since this one.
30:02Purely with promotions, relegations, managers coming and going,
30:07a manager going after winning the Championship.
30:10Tony Docherty's incredible Premiership debut last season,
30:15then United winning the Championship.
30:17I just think it's set up to be incredibly intriguing tomorrow.
30:20Yeah, I think it will be a cracker and a difficult one to call.
30:23You talk about Tony Docherty, and as soon as he came in,
30:27he managed to build a squad that were very competitive to finish sixth,
30:32to be in that top six for the last part of the season would be massive for Dundee.
30:38And he's added to it.
30:40He's got Simon Murray, who we know had such a good season last year for Ross County,
30:45a player that can score goals, he works exceptionally hard.
30:48He's got assists in him as well, so he'll just add to that squad.
30:53It'll be a really tough game for United.
30:54Do you go with Stephen's assertion that he's got Dundee favourites for this one,
31:00given they haven't won at Tannerdice for about 20 years?
31:03I think the form, the way they finished the season,
31:05and how they've now added to their squad, they've had a good League Cup campaign.
31:10I think they go in it in exceptionally good form,
31:13but Dundee and United have other ideas.
31:15They're back in the league where they should be.
31:18They're such a big club, and this is a huge game just to kick-start their league campaign.
31:24Do you think Dundee will give United a guard of honour
31:26as they come out to raise the championship flag?
31:29No chance.
31:30So we spoke about Samir and their European exploits,
31:34but they're at home to Hibs tomorrow.
31:36Samir will go into this on a high on the back of that.
31:39No, you wouldn't expect a European hangover, would you?
31:42I don't think so. I think when they go into the game,
31:44they'll obviously be, yes, Hibs have played games,
31:47but that competitive edge is really different.
31:50So to have played a game at that level for St Mirren,
31:53they'll certainly have the edge.
31:56So they're a team that you can only see continuing with the form that they had last year.
32:01We've seen their quality already.
32:02Four goals on Thursday night is massive for them.
32:06Sean Rooney looks like he's going to be a great sign-in,
32:08as long as he keeps the secrets of the team under wrap.
32:12I was going to say, this is two of Steven's former teams here.
32:16How many teams have you played for in this?
32:18But Hibs, they're under new management.
32:19David Gray, this is his first Premiership game.
32:22Hibs tend not to hold on to their managers for very long,
32:26but he's a club stalwart, isn't he?
32:28And he'll be keen to make his mark starting tomorrow.
32:30Yeah, I think he'll be delighted.
32:31He's obviously had a few shots as caretaker manager,
32:36and he's been given the opportunity to build his own Hibs team.
32:40I think that's the difficulty.
32:42You speak about European hangovers,
32:43but it's such a big game for both clubs.
32:45You think of Hibs improving their season,
32:47it would be to finish above St Martin.
32:49St Martin are desperate for more European action next year.
32:53Part of that will be finishing above Hibs.
32:54So it's a bit of a six-pointer.
32:56I know it's very early in the season,
32:57but a real important game for both clubs.
33:00What do you think the aspiration is for Hibs?
33:02Is it top six or is it higher?
33:04I think it's got to be higher.
33:05I think there's an expectation between the fans
33:11that they should be pushing for that third spot.
33:14They see hearts there,
33:15and I think they'll be desperate to have that type of success this season.
33:19We'll spill forward to Monday.
33:20We'll talk about Kilmarnock Celtic right at the end,
33:22but we'll talk about Monday's game.
33:24And is Jimmy Tilley making his Premiership bow?
33:28Yeah, it's the one we're all looking forward to seeing,
33:31how he goes about Aberdeen,
33:33what's going to happen with Miovsky.
33:35It's a start to him in the league in terms of coming up against Craig Levine.
33:40You know how organised, how hard St Johnstone are going to work.
33:44But like Hibs, if Aberdeen are going to want to finish back in the European places,
33:49back where they believe they belong,
33:51it's the type of game they're going to have to find a way to win.
33:53I think it's traditionally a low-scoring encounter, isn't it,
33:56St Johnstone against Aberdeen?
33:58I think Aberdeen will be hoping that they come out
34:01and can have a right good start to the season.
34:04That away fixture's never going to be an easy one,
34:07and St Johnstone, they'll be looking forward to getting a next campaign underway
34:12and seeing if they can prove people wrong.
34:13I'll break off briefly from this conversation
34:15to bring you some post-match reaction from the Motherwell-Ross County match.
34:20We can hear now from the Well boss, Stuart Kettlewell.
34:23Stuart, opening game of the league season, what did you make of it?
34:26I think I would love to be standing here in front of you, Jane,
34:29saying that we got three points.
34:31I think the opportunities created,
34:32and I think the saves made by Ross Laidlaw and Ross County's goal
34:36probably would suggest that we did deserve to win the game,
34:38without blowing it out of the water, of course.
34:41I think the most important thing is I was looking for a better performance than last week,
34:44which we got in application and energy and that bit of desire to try and win the game
34:50and be better at what we do.
34:52But that said, we still feel that there's loads of room for improvement.
34:55We still feel that we can take some of those opportunities that we created,
34:58both first half and second half, to be fair.
35:00It wasn't just in a short space.
35:02It was over a sustained period throughout the game
35:05that we carved out good opportunities and got into good areas.
35:07So, without question, we have to be better in that final third.
35:11If I take a real positive from it,
35:12I thought we were pretty assured in our defending throughout.
35:14It's always going to be a difficult day against the likes of Jordan White.
35:17So, I felt we acquitted ourselves well on that front,
35:20but loads of room to get better.
35:22Will that sharpness in the final third come with more training and more game time, do you think?
35:26Yes, it's something we've got to work on.
35:28You find problems throughout the course of a season.
35:30Sometimes it can be defensively, sometimes it's in that final third.
35:34I think probably the bit that's staring us in the face just now
35:37was that we created enough chances and enough opportunities
35:40to score a goal within this game, and we didn't.
35:43So, that's not pointing the finger at the strikers.
35:46They have to continue going into those positions.
35:48They have to continue to be brave to sometimes miss chances.
35:52But for the rest of the team, we have to be productive in that we're servicing them.
35:56I thought we'd done that, not too bad, throughout the piece.
35:58I think if we'd scored a couple of those really good opportunities,
36:011v1 with the goalkeeper, save for the lead law in the first half from Moses,
36:05a wonderful save in the second half from Ewan Wilson.
36:09If you're coming out here having scored two goals, three goals,
36:11I don't think too many people could dispute it.
36:13But we'll always look at the bigger picture, Jane,
36:15and I think that we definitely can improve in that final third.
36:20Iago seems certainly in better spirits than he was
36:23in his last post-match interview at Third Park.
36:26Yeah, because I don't think he'll be wanting to make a big deal of the fact
36:29that they've now played Partick Thistle last week in Ross County at home,
36:34both clean sheets and not winning any of the two games.
36:38As I said to you at the top of the show,
36:41you're losing Blair Spittle, you're losing Theo Baer's goals.
36:46The one thing, you're looking for the new guys to get off the mark.
36:49Robinson couldn't have had a better opportunity than they got today.
36:53And he looks like a little bit short on confidence.
36:55So I think the manager will talk about the positives,
36:58the clean sheets, obviously, and getting into the positions.
37:01But at some point, you've got Rangers next week at Ibrox.
37:03You won't get three, four, five chances if you want to get results.
37:06So you need to be more clinical.
37:08So tomorrow, Celtic at home to Kilmarnock.
37:10The champions will be unfurling the Premiership flag there
37:14and they could go two points clear of Rangers with a win.
37:18You would expect them to as well,
37:20although Kilmarnock have a really good record
37:22against the Old Firm, certainly last season.
37:26I think the form that Celtic are going to start the season,
37:28they've had a really strong pre-season.
37:31They don't look like they've weakened their squad.
37:35And I think there'll probably still be some ins and outs.
37:38In that department, Kilmarnock will be going there
37:41off the back of quite a tough game on Thursday.
37:45But they'll be going there hoping that they can take something from the game.
37:48But I think at Celtic Park,
37:49I think the fans are going to be there expecting a party.
37:52As you've got the big rebuild at Ibrox,
37:56it's just a wee tweak at Celtic Park by the looks of things.
37:59Yes, well, Kasper Smeichel's obviously started well.
38:02I know it's the friendlies, but he looks really confident,
38:04looks really assured.
38:05I think still have Matt O'Reilly,
38:07who I think might still leave before the end of the window,
38:09but a huge player, a huge factor in terms of deciding the game tomorrow.
38:14I think we'll get goals tomorrow.
38:16Goalless in two today.
38:17We need goals, don't we?
38:19Plenty of goals tomorrow.
38:20There we go, folks.
38:21That's the first show of the season just about finished.
38:24Time, though, to thank our guests,
38:26Julie Fleeting and Stephen McGinn,
38:28and the rest of the Results Show family off screen and behind the scenes.
38:32But chiefly, of course, to you for watching.
38:34Stephen Thompson is here with the first highlight show of the season shortly.
38:37Remember to watch that.
38:38Till then, take care and we'll see you next week.