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Congratulations Rangers
27/04/2010 15:31:50 by SPLBanter filed in News.
Many congratulations to Rangers who finally confirmed the inevitable by winning their second title on the bounce, and a world record 53 in total.
After running riot in December, [the month in which the league was won in this humble correspondent’s opinion] where they won all six of their SPL fixtures scoring 26 goals in the process at the expense of just 4, they maintained their winning ways in 2010 by grinding out results even when not playing particularly well.
Walter Smith deserves enormous credit for steering his team to the title despite not being able to make a single signing [if you don’t count the complete waste of time and money that was Jerome Rothen] and despite having a fairly lengthy injury list at times.
They have been marshalled superbly by the ageless Davie Weir who in his 40th year has played every minute of every SPL game, and when Bougherra can be bothered to turn up or is not injured he’s a pretty formidable opponent too, and a half decent right winger.
In midfield they had the best player in the SPL by a mile this year in Steven Davis the player who really made them tick, he was at the heart of everything positive and although he still has two years left on his current deal, keeping him at the club in the summer must be a priority.
Kris Boyd’s scoring was streaky but prolific during any one of said streaks, and he dovetailed perfectly with his partner Kenny Miller who weighed in when Boyd wasn’t finding the net.
However, on Sunday it was a goal by Kyle Lafferty which saw them scramble over the finishing line.
So often the pantomime villain, he left his mask and cape at home to become the hero for a day, at least in the eyes of the Rangers fans.
In fairness to the much maligned Lafferty in the last two or three games he has started to look like a player, he took his goal at Easter Road superbly showing good pace, good strength and the finish wasn’t too shabby either.
Whether he’s earned the right to do a daft robot dance over the season though is debatable.
The bottom line though here is that the best team by a distance won the league inspite of their off field problems.
Many will point to the fact that Celtic’s failures during the disastrous Tony Mowbray months handed the title to Rangers, but let’s examine the facts.
Rangers have lost only three games domestically this season, two in the league and one in the Scottish cup at Dundee United.
That is championship winning form regardless of what Celtic were doing.
Much has been made of Rangers team spirit and togetherness and it has often been suggested that this is why they are the team they are.
I’m sure it helps, and I’m sure that the much talked about off field problems brought them closer together, forming that siege mentality.
But at the end of the day they just have good solid players right the way through the team, that’s the way I see it.
Guys like Papac and McCulloch unlikely to feature on most Ibrox ‘fans favourites’ list but dependable, hard working and rarely let you down.
Who knows what lies in wait for the club next season, there are worrying rumours that the overall debt is much greater than the fans are being told or has been published, and if that is the case then a new owner might not be in as quickly as Rangers fans would like.
If they can keep the bulk of the players who won this year’s title there is absolutely no doubt they will be there or there abouts again next season.
In the meantime their last challenge this season remains the final Old Firm clash at Parkhead in May, and although meaningless in terms of anything tangible is of course a massive game.
Win, lose or draw they can afford to sit back and gloat over their Glasgow rivals this summer, and they should do well to enjoy it for if the rumour mill is true [keep tuned to SPL Banter in the coming weeks] there is a big announcement coming from the East End of Glasgow that is said to be bigger and even more surprising than the signing of Robbie Keane.
Your guess is as good as mine.
Go to Rangers Page >
Hibernian 0 Rangers 1
26/04/2010 16:55:43 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
Hibernian 0 Rangers 1
Kyle Lafferty was the unlikely hero as Rangers secured their 53rd Scottish title with victory over Hibernian on Sunday afternoon.
Celtic's win over Dundee United earlier in the day meant there would be no celebrations before kick-off at Easter Road with the defending champions under pressure to deliver the result that would seal the silverware.
And, despite what has been another lacklustre season from Lafferty, he grabbed his third goal in four games to ensure the trophy will remain at Ibrox.
The last time Rangers clinched the title at this venue was in May 2005 when Celtic's shock collapse against Motherwell saw their bitter rivals defy the odds to triumph on the final day.
This time around, there were three games to spare for Walter Smith's men.
Hibernian: Smith, Hogg (Thicot 46), Murray, Hanlon, McCormack, Cregg (Nish 55), Rankin, McBride, Wotherspoon, Riordan, Stokes (Benjelloun 73)
Rangers: McGregor, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, McCulloch, Davis, Thomson, Naismith, Miller (Novo 76), Lafferty
Goals: Rangers: Lafferty (17)
Go to Hibernian Page >
Dundee United 0 Celtic 2
26/04/2010 16:47:27 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
Dundee United 0 Celtic 2
Celtic secured second place in the Scottish Premier League thanks to goals from Diomansy Kamara and Robbie Keane which sealed a 2-0 win against Dundee United at Tannadice.
With half an hour gone of an absorbing first half the Senegalese striker latched on to a Marc-Antoine Fortune pass before curling an unstoppable shot past Dusan Pernis.
Tannadice substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams, on in the 62nd minute for Danny Swanson, was dismissed in controversial circumstances by referee Iain Brines for picking up two bookings.
However, any doubt over the destination of the points ended in the dying seconds when Keane scored from the spot after Pernis had fouled Aiden McGeady as the Hoops' midfielder ran through on goal.
It was Celtic's fifth SPL win in a row since Neil Lennon took over as interim boss and they were cheered off by the travelling fans at the end.
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Conway, Swanson (Myrie-Williams 62), Buaben, Gomis, Kovacevic, Daly (Sandaza 73), Goodwillie (Cadamarteri 78)
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, Loovens (Wilson 59), Rogne (O'Dea 34), N'Guemo, Brown, McGeady, Keane, Fortune, Kamara (Samaras 90+2)
Goals: Celtic: Kamara (30), Keane pen (90+4)
Go to Celtic Page >
Dundee United 0 Celtic 2
26/04/2010 16:46:44 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
Dundee United 0 Celtic 2
Celtic secured second place in the Scottish Premier League thanks to goals from Diomansy Kamara and Robbie Keane which sealed a 2-0 win against Dundee United at Tannadice.
With half an hour gone of an absorbing first half the Senegalese striker latched on to a Marc-Antoine Fortune pass before curling an unstoppable shot past Dusan Pernis.
Tannadice substitute Jennison Myrie-Williams, on in the 62nd minute for Danny Swanson, was dismissed in controversial circumstances by referee Iain Brines for picking up two bookings.
However, any doubt over the destination of the points ended in the dying seconds when Keane scored from the spot after Pernis had fouled Aiden McGeady as the Hoops' midfielder ran through on goal.
It was Celtic's fifth SPL win in a row since Neil Lennon took over as interim boss and they were cheered off by the travelling fans at the end.
Dundee United: Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Conway, Swanson (Myrie-Williams 62), Buaben, Gomis, Kovacevic, Daly (Sandaza 73), Goodwillie (Cadamarteri 78)
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, Loovens (Wilson 59), Rogne (O'Dea 34), N'Guemo, Brown, McGeady, Keane, Fortune, Kamara (Samaras 90+2)
Goals: Celtic: Kamara (30), Keane pen (90+4)
Go to Dundee United Page >
St Mirren 1 Kilmarnock 0
26/04/2010 16:26:45 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
St Mirren 1 Kilmarnock 0
Andy Dorman grabbed the winner as St Mirren took a massive step towards Scottish Premier League survival with what could be a crucial victory over relegation rivals Kilmarnock.
Dorman struck late on with the only goal of the game in what was a scrappy clash at new St Mirren Park as both sides desperately tried to haul themselves away from the danger zone.
In a further boost for the Paisley club, bottom side Falkirk also suffered defeat against Hamilton, meaning Saints are now four points clear of the drop zone, while Killie remain a single point ahead of rock-bottom Bairns.
St Mirren: Gallacher, Mair, Potter, Barron, Carey (Johnston 80), Murray (Brady 21), Dorman, Thomson, O'Donnell (Dargo 57), Robb, Higdon
Kilmarnoack: Bell, Clancy, Wright, Ford, Bryson (Skelton 66), Pascali, Kelly, Hamill, Severin (Maguire 46), Kyle, Burchill (Fowler 45)
Goals: St Mirren: Dorman (74)
Go to St Mirren Page >
St Mirren 1 Kilmarnock 0
26/04/2010 16:25:21 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
St Mirren 1 Kilmarnock 0
Andy Dorman grabbed the winner as St Mirren took a massive step towards Scottish Premier League survival with what could be a crucial victory over relegation rivals Kilmarnock.
Dorman struck late on with the only goal of the game in what was a scrappy clash at new St Mirren Park as both sides desperately tried to haul themselves away from the danger zone.
In a further boost for the Paisley club, bottom side Falkirk also suffered defeat against Hamilton, meaning Saints are now four points clear of the drop zone, while Killie remain a single point ahead of rock-bottom Bairns.
St Mirren: Gallacher, Mair, Potter, Barron, Carey (Johnston 80), Murray (Brady 21), Dorman, Thomson, O'Donnell (Dargo 57), Robb, Higdon
Kilmarnoack: Bell, Clancy, Wright, Ford, Bryson (Skelton 66), Pascali, Kelly, Hamill, Severin (Maguire 46), Kyle, Burchill (Fowler 45)
Goals: St Mirren: Dorman (74)
Go to Kilmarnock Page >
Hearts 0 Motherwell 2
26/04/2010 15:50:24 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
Hearts 0 Motherwell 2
Steven Saunders netted his first career goal as Motherwell ended their losing streak in style and put a huge dent in Hearts' European hopes.
Saunders scrambled home the opener three minutes before the end of an entertaining first half and John Sutton claimed his 12th goal of the season moments later.
The goals were reward for an enterprising display and Motherwell came close to adding to their lead in a comfortable second half.
Hearts: MacDonald, Wallace, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Thomson, Palazuelos, Santana, Stewart (Black 46), Templeton, Obua (Stevenson 53), Glen (Elliot 46)
Motherwell: Fraser, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Coke, Jennings, O'Brien (Humphrey 77), Hateley (Forbes 85), Saunders, Jutkiewicz (Murphy 63), Sutton
Goals: Motherwell: Saunders (42), Zaliukas o/g (45)
Go to Motherwell Page >
Hearts 0 Motherwell 2
26/04/2010 15:48:49 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
Hearts 0 Motherwell 2
Steven Saunders netted his first career goal as Motherwell ended their losing streak in style and put a huge dent in Hearts' European hopes.
Saunders scrambled home the opener three minutes before the end of an entertaining first half and John Sutton claimed his 12th goal of the season moments later.
The goals were reward for an enterprising display and Motherwell came close to adding to their lead in a comfortable second half.
Hearts: MacDonald, Wallace, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Thomson, Palazuelos, Santana, Stewart (Black 46), Templeton, Obua (Stevenson 53), Glen (Elliot 46)
Motherwell: Fraser, Hammell, Reynolds, Craigan, Coke, Jennings, O'Brien (Humphrey 77), Hateley (Forbes 85), Saunders, Jutkiewicz (Murphy 63), Sutton
Goals: Motherwell: Saunders (42), Zaliukas o/g (45)
Go to Hearts Page >
Falkirk 0 Hamilton 1
26/04/2010 14:59:40 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
Falkirk 0 Hamilton 1
Marco Paixao's first-half header gave Hamilton all three points at Falkirk and left the home side's Scottish Premier League future still very much in peril.
With relegation rivals St Mirren and Kilmarnock playing each other in Paisley, the Bairns had the chance to climb off the basement with a win.
However, not for the first time this season, Steven Pressley's side came up short despite enjoying almost total domination in the second half.
Falkirk: Olejnik, Barr, McLean, Duffy (Compton 63), Twaddle (Scobbie 24), O'Brien (Showunmi 46), Arfield, Flynn, Healy, Moutinho, Stewart
Hamilton: Murdoch, McClenahan, Canning (Wilkie 65), McLaughlin (Elebert 56), Wesolowski, Mensing, Antoine-Curier (Thomas 72), Neil, F Paixao, M Paixao, Imrie
Goals: Hamilton: M Paixao (19)
Go to Hamilton Page >
St Johnstone 1 Aberdeen 1
26/04/2010 14:43:15 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
St Johnstone 1 Aberdeen 1
Aberdeen secured their Scottish Premier League status for next season despite conceding a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at St Johnstone.
Injury-plagued Saints striker Andy Jackson came off the bench and saw his late effort hit a post an go in off goalkeeper Stuart Nelson two minutes from time just as the Dons had looked set for just their fourth away win of the campaign.
Steven MacLean had earlier netted for the second straight game for Aberdeen, for whom a point was enough to end any lingering fears of relegation.
St Johnstone: Smith, Irvine, Grainger, Rutkiewicz, MacKay, Morris, Millar, Davidson, Morais (Deuchar 56), Samuel (Craig 83), Sheridan (Jackson 71)
Aberdeen: Nelson, Foster, Grassi, Ifil, Kerr, Aluko (Fyvie 67), Young, Duff, Marshall (Paton 67), MacLean, Mackie
Goals: Aberdeen: MacLean (16); St Johnstone: Nelson o/g (90)
Go to Aberdeen Page >
St Johnstone 1 Aberdeen 1
26/04/2010 14:42:06 by SPLBanter filed in Match Reports.
St Johnstone 1 Aberdeen 1
Aberdeen secured their Scottish Premier League status for next season despite conceding a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at St Johnstone.
Injury-plagued Saints striker Andy Jackson came off the bench and saw his late effort hit a post an go in off goalkeeper Stuart Nelson two minutes from time just as the Dons had looked set for just their fourth away win of the campaign.
Steven MacLean had earlier netted for the second straight game for Aberdeen, for whom a point was enough to end any lingering fears of relegation.
St Johnstone: Smith, Irvine, Grainger, Rutkiewicz, MacKay, Morris, Millar, Davidson, Morais (Deuchar 56), Samuel (Craig 83), Sheridan (Jackson 71)
Aberdeen: Nelson, Foster, Grassi, Ifil, Kerr, Aluko (Fyvie 67), Young, Duff, Marshall (Paton 67), MacLean, Mackie
Goals: Aberdeen: MacLean (16); St Johnstone: Nelson o/g (90)
Go to St Johnstone Page >
Motherwell v Hibernian fixture brought forward
21/04/2010 16:03:19 by SPLBanter filed in SPL Banter Blogs.
The SPL match between Motherwell and Hibernian on May 6 at Fir Park has been brought forward 24 hours to May 5, ko 19:45.
Motherwell had alerted the SPL that with May 6 being general election day and the school directly opposite the club being used as a polling station it could lead to added congestion and safety concerns in the immediate area of the stadium.
The SPL agreed and the game has now been resceduled.
A statement on Motherwell's official websire reads:
"Knowetop Primary, adjacent to Fir Park Stadium, is a key polling station in the Motherwell area.
"With the election vote taking place on the same evening, the club raised issues over safety, congestion, resources and the ability to vote - all of which were accepted by the SPL, Hibernian FC and our satellite broadcasting partner, Sky Sports."
Go to The SPL Page >
Scotland's Greatest Team
17/03/2010 18:49:33 by SPLBanter filed in News.
STV who brought us the excellent The Football Years have a new series which starts tomorrow evening Thursday March 18 at 9pm.
The programme is called Scotland's Greatest Team and they want you and me and all Scottish football fans to join in.
The premise of the show, is as the name suggests, to pick the greatest ever Scotland team and the final X1 will be picked by you the viewer.
The Football Years was a fantastic series for fans of Scottish football and we at SPL Banter think this new series is a great idea.
We will be joining in and urge you to do the same, below is an outline of how the show will work and links to the site from which you can cast your votes.
The series is hosted by Tony Roper, with additional guest presenting by Sanjeev Kohli, Lorraine Kelly, Kelly Dalglish and John Gordon Sinclair.
- In programme 1, comedy writer and actor Sanjeev Kohli looks at six of Scotland’s premium strikers, inviting viewers to vote for their favourite two.
- In programme 2, Lorraine Kelly highlights the top ten midfielders in Scotland’s football history and invites viewers to vote for four.
- Programme 3 sees sports presenter Kelly Dalglish profile ten top defenders, giving viewers the option of voting for their top four.
- John Gordon Sinclair presents the final voting programme, which will see viewers vote for one goalkeeper and one manager from a selection of four of each.
- Scotland’s Greatest Team, as voted for by the viewing public, will be revealed in a special show on 22 April hosted by Tony Roper from the Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park.
Viewers are invited to go online at
www.stv.tv/greatestteam after the first show to, first and most importantly, register to play.
Viewers can then select the two strikers they think should be included in Scotland’s Greatest Team from the list of players featured in that programme.
Viewers should then save their selection and in the weeks ahead, gradually build a team of two strikers, four midfielders, four defenders, a goalkeeper and a team manager.
After programme number two, viewers can add four midfielders to their two strikers as they build Scotland’s Greatest Team.
Following programme three, viewers can select four defenders [as well as strikers and midfielders if they haven’t done so already].
After programme four, viewers can go online and add one goalkeeper and one manager to complete their selection. Voting will remain open and viewers can change their team selection anytime before midnight on Thursday April 15th.
Scotland’s Greatest Team will be made up of the eleven players and manager who receive the most votes in a particular position. All instructions, terms and conditions will be available at
www.stv.tv/greatestteam Ed: Let's get involved then... I've been thinking about it today, it's a lot harder than you think. I'm not sure who the players are that you will be able to pick from, but every time I speak to someone about it they remind me of another player.
Go to National Page >