by John Reid
Hibs go top, Celtic suffer a hangover and Partick hit five in this week’s round-up.
Hibs sit proudly at the top of the SPL after a 2-1 win over Dundee United, with
goals from the prolific Leigh Griffiths – his 12th SPL goal in 12 games – and Eoin Doyle. United pulled a goal back from Gary Mackay-Stevens, but despite the introduction of Hibs bête noire Rudi Skacel, Hibs held on for the win. Celtic are now three SPL games without a win after being held 1-1 by St. Johnstone. Midweek hero Tony Watt gave a lacklustre Celtic the lead but Nigel Hasselbaink got the Saints a deserved equaliser.
Aberdeen’s good form continues as they cruised to a 4-1 win at St. Mirren, who have lost their last five league games. Goals from Hayes, McGinn, Clark and Reynolds putting Aberdeen just a point behind Celtic. Crisis club Hearts – who could go to the wall by Saturday if they don’t receive a significant injection of cash – gained a creditable point at Inverness, thanks to a last minute penalty by Zaliukas, Owain Tudor-Jones having opened the scoring for Caley.
Kilmarnock had a comfortable 3-0 win over Ross County, thanks to two goals from
Paul Heffernan, but Killie manager was involved in yet another row – this time with referees’ chief John Fleming, over alleged comments made by referee Euan Norris to Shiels. No doubt this will run and run. Dundee continued their recent upswing in form by getting a point at Motherwell, Nicky Riley giving Dundee the lead but Michael Higdon getting the equaliser. Dundee – despite being bottom of the table – are now only four points behind St.
Mirren.
In the top of the table first division clash, Partick Thistle retuned to the top of the table with a 5-1 win over Dunfermline, watched by a crowd of over 5,000.
Second division leaders Queen of the South didn’t play this week, whilst Rangers – who have recently welcomed Walter Smith on to their board – stay top of the third division thanks to a 2-0 win over Peterhead.
In the draw for the league cup semi-finals, Celtic will play St. Mirren whilst Inverness will take on Hearts.
Next week’s big game is Celtic’s Saturday lunchtime trip to Aberdeen, whilst league leaders Hibs are at Dundee.
