Another week and three of the SPFL divisions only have one round of fixtures left and in the Premiership, there are still three games to play. Ross County has wrapped up their title but will need a clear out if they are going to beat the drop next season as the championship this season has been of a very poor standard and only Ross County looked any great shakes. Peterhead were 60 seconds away from winning the title and Celtic have spent the weekend arguing when the 67th minute of the game is.
Celtic opened the weekend's action hosting Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. This was the first time Celtic have played since the Death of Billy McNeil (Link). It was a fairly unremarkable game, as much of Lennon’s games have been since his return, but as fate would have it with 67:30 on the clock Number 5 (McNeill’s former number) Simunovic scored the only goal of the game. Keen to wind up the Celtic fans many people took to Twitter to commit pedantry, stating that a goal scored with 67 played is, of course, the 68th minute of the game. Many of those committing pedantries also believe that a club founded in 2012 is the same as the club founded in 1872, I would say that that is a bit more of a reach to believe.
Hamilton and Livingston served up a treat of a game with Hamilton 2-0 up and cruising until an hour in Livi found their feet and scored 3 goals in quick succession but in the dying seconds of the game Aaron McGowan scored a vital goal to secure a point in Hamilton’s bid for a 6th consecutive season in the Premiership. Another belter of a game was also in Lanarkshire Motherwell all but ending Dundee’s hopes of staying up. Dundee twice went ahead but were pegged back within 60 seconds of initially going a goal up. Shortly after the break, they found themselves 3-2 down equalising two minutes later. With an hour played Motherwell’s Alex Gorrin was sent off and things were looking up for Dundee only for them to be punished by a 90th-minute winner for Motherwell.
St Mirren and St Johnstone played out a one all draw both goals coming in the latter stages of the match and with St Mirren equalising with seconds left. Meaning there was a last gasp goal in three of the six Premiership games, unbelievable scenes!
In the two Sunday games, Hibernian hosted Hearts as Paul Heckingbottam looked to continue his unbeaten run in the league since joining them in February. Craig Levine hoping for a positive result to win back some favour from the Hearts support. The first half was a fairly competitive game with Hibs dominating most of the possession without having many clear cut chances, Flo Kamberi having a very poor half and was rightly hooked at half time. The second half really came alive with tackles flying in and more shots on goal than in the first half. Hibs it seemed couldn’t buy a goal and with an hour played Ikpeazu gave away a very clumsy penalty only for McNulty to hit the post. Hibs rallied and continued to look dangerous and eventually broke the deadlock as Hearts Captain Berra turned a whipped cross into his own net. After Hibs went a goal up Hearts stopped lumping the ball forward to Ikpeazu and played some nice flowing football and suddenly look dangerous. With 5 to play Ikpeazu slotted home and a rather excitable Dikamona was booked for his celebration despite only being on the bench. Hearts picked up 7 yellow cards during the match however it was the behaviour of the fourth official that concerned the Hibs manager say that if he had been spoken to like that elsewhere he would have knocked his teeth out.
The second Sunday game saw Rangers host Aberdeen and during the week Rangers manager, Gerrard who is clearly feeling the pressure accused Aberdeen of trying harder against Rangers than anyone else. It’s been a bumper keep for Stevie G after launching his own brand of water, presumably, it’s primarily made up of his tears this season. Aberdeen nullified Rangers in the first half and Jermaine Defoe was lucky to stay on after striking Dons keeper Joe Lewis in the face. The Ranger Striker can expect to have a call from the compliance officer this week. Almost immediately after the restart Rangers were given a penalty kick Tavernier beating the bruised Joe Lewis and then with only 10 minutes to play Andrew Considine was sent off and Rangers given a penalty after ruffling the hair of Katic’s head which Gerrard later admitted that his player had cheated to win their 17th Penalty of the season (a joint British all-time record). The Ibrox club is still holding on but Celtic can win the title next week much to the disappointment of the Rangers manager who has the worst managerial record of any Rangers manager to manage in the Premier League.
Down in the Championship Ross County played queen of the South know that a draw would be enough to see them wrap up the title and in the Second half County ran riot scoring 3 goals taking the final score to 4-0. Despite Queens defending being utterly laughable trying to defend basic cross balls it wasn’t the most tragic thing on display in the highlands on Friday night, neither was the fact that BBC commentator Steven Thomson forgot to use his mic the prize of the most awful thing seen on Friday night was that the SPFL brought up the League 2 medals to hand out to the county players, when we thought we had seen the most amateur thing possible the SPFL outdo themselves!
Falkirk travelled up to Dundee United needing a win to have some hope of getting out the relegation places, however as the travelling Falkirk fans made their feelings about the board and management clear Dundee United slotted 2 home to keep Falkirk bottom. Dundee United are carrying good form into the Premiership playoffs, as to be fair are Inverness, Ayr United and St Mirren so it will be a tough task to get through them unscathed. Falkirk are all but down needing a win against Ross County and hoping that Alloa loses, or Queen of the south but would require a 10 goal swing.
Alloa could have been safe this weekend but John Robertson isn’t allowing his team to put in any half measures as they beat Alloa 2-1 meaning Alloa need a draw at least against Ayr United next week. Ayr United manager Ian McCall was criticised for saying that his team owe Alloa after last season and will be resting players for the upcoming playoffs.
Partick Thistle and Ayr met for the second time in 4 days this time Ayr winning 2-1 meaning a draw would do Patrick to avoid the relegation playoff spot when they play Queens on Saturday. Queens need to win to avoid trouble at the bottom of the division.
The final game in the Championship was Greenock Morton away to Dunfermline and despite the noisy away support the game itself had a feeling of pre-season about it. Morton scored a penalty with not long left to go meaning that The Pars end the season having only scored 33 goals in 35 games and Alloa’s striker Alan Trouten is the top scored at East End Park with 4 goals. Despite the loss, Dunfermline are safe, as are Morton, both teams will be hoping to do much better in the next campaign as the managers of both clubs hold their first preseasons respectively.
Into League 1 and its tight as ever at the foot of the table, both Brechin and Stenhousemuir would have been hoping for a win to get above the other before the final day of the season. Brechin lost away to Raith Rovers 3-2 despite being ahead twice and Stenhousemuir drew with East Fife meaning that Brechin must win at home against Stenhousemuir to avoid automatic relegation but a draw is enough for The Warriors.
The season is over for Arbroath and Airdrieonians with the Airdrie side winning 3-0 and the other dead rubber game in the league was a 2-1 win for Dumbarton over Stranraer.
Forfar hosted Montrose in the last Angus derby of the regular season, a win for Forfar would mean they hold on to second spot going into the final game of the season. Montrose, however, are secure in 4th place and will have to wait a week to find out who they will be playing in the championship playoffs.
Finally in League 2 – The bottom two teams met over the border with Berwick Rangers needing a win to try and reel in on form Albion Rovers, the Wee Rovers, however, won 0-3 sealing the fate of Scotland’s only English Club to play in the League 2 play-off places against either East Kilbride or Cove Rangers. Elsewhere Clyde have forced the title race to the final game of the season after beating Queens Park 3-0 and Peterhead will be hoping to finish the league off at Hampden by defeating Queens Park otherwise Clyde will have the celebrations at Central Park.
Edinburgh City who are safe in the playoffs drew with Elgin City one all and Annan who were 3 nil up with only 20 to play won 3-2 against Cowdenbeath.