Within 45 minutes and 24 seconds of this unexpectedly mid-table clash, it was clear that the old certainties of Scottish football remain. Celtic were the better team for most of the game, even while looking a bit disjointed (as is perhaps to be expected from a team with a few new faces including three debutants). Aberdeen only seemed to realise there was a proper contest to be had after they went 2-0 down, partly due to defensive incompetence at a set piece and partly due to misfortune.
Six points is certainly not what Aberdeen expected from their first 5 games of the season, but there were signs of hope from the second half on Saturday. It’s always a good sign when a manager’s changes have a positive impact and Aberdeen looked much more threatening after Jeffrey Monakana replaced Nicky Low, and I also liked the look of Adam Rooney and David Goodwillie playing together. Rooney can perhaps feel a little hard done by to lose his place to the former Dundee United man who has been pretty average so far this season and looks to be carrying a bit of timber.
The aftermath of the game was unfortunately dominated by allegations that Aston Villa loanee Aleksander Tonev racially abused Dons full-back Shay Logan. This has been denied by Tonev and we await to see what any investigation turns up, but given the SPFL’s recent track record when it comes to governance as well as the clearly serious nature of the allegation, it is vital that they show some genuine leadership. Or even just a bit of competence. I won’t hold my breath, though. IM
I Love It When A Plan (B) Comes Together
Inverness Caley Thistle’s unbeaten run came to a juddering halt on Saturday as Partick Thistle ruthlessly swept them aside. The opening goal was another fine example of John Hughes' passing philosophy as ICT quickly shifted the ball down the right wing before Aaron Doran dispatched a low drive past Scott Fox. So far, so business as usual. However Partick rallied to take a 3 – 1 lead with Kallum Higginbotham scoring the pick of the goals, curling a shot across goal into the net.
The response from Inverness was somewhat timid, continuing to play the ball out slowly from the back with a lack of urgency, save for the occasional long ball in behind the full back. The second half was a surprisingly toothless display of attacking football from the away side. ICT hadn’t found themselves behind so far this season and Saturday was a new experience for them in that sense. Hughes has stuck resolutely to his style of play and it has paid dividends so far this season. However, perhaps it is not the approach to employ if you are chasing the game and Yogi may need to come up with a Plan B if /when ICT find themselves trailing again in a match this season. AS
There's plenty of reason for encouragement up Dingwall way, even despite a defeat to Motherwell which leaves the Staggies still at the bottom of the table. Importantly, Jackson Irvine added some steel to midfield and Michael Gardyne looked lively on his return to the Highlands. County had an impressive 20 efforts on goal, which must be reassuring for them; they didn't find it hard to create chances against a Motherwell backline that wasn't far away from full strength. And the two goals they conceded were long-range strikes which are awfully difficult to prevent. Iain Vigurs' free kick was superb, and you know it isn't your day when John Sutton scores with a 30-yard dipping volley!
But County played well enough to suggest that the wins will start arriving soon. And they aren't the worst team in this league by a stretch... LS
How much longer does Tommy Craig have?
St. Mirren at least managed their first goal of the season against Kilmarnock. That first point remains beyond them, though, after a sixth consecutive league defeat. They remain above Ross County on goal difference, but County have a new manager and brought in three players on deadline day to try and boost the squad. What have the Buddies done? Not much. Craig himself stated after the game that "I might be able to tinker with some of the positions, but the players who are on show at the moment are the players who are going to see this through." That won't be reassuring given the attacking options available - Ross Caldwell looks too raw, Calum Ball too unfit and James Marwood simply too mediocre, while Steven Thompson is still injured. Meanwhile the defence continues to leak soft goals, which makes it all the more odd that Craig has stuck with the same back four in every game; with Isaac Osbourne available to provide midfield muscle, he can afford to deploy Jim Goodwin in defence for the horrendous Marc McAusland, while Sean Kelly remains stuck on the bench despite impressing last season.
The lightning starts from Hamilton and Dundee have taken everyone by surprise, and already it's reasonable to assume that neither will finish in the bottom two. So St. Mirren need to find a spark, and quickly. Can they really afford to give their manager another month or two to turn it around, or will it be too late by then? LS
St. Johnstone can't cope with these injuries
At least Murray Davidson is back for Tommy Wright's side, which is just as well as there isn't any space in the treatment room for any more players. Tam Scobbie and Steven Maclean will miss significant time with injuries, while impressive young midfielder Scott Brown limped off against Dundee and may be out for some time too.
Whilst they can just about manage at the back without Scobbie, the Perth Saints don't really have an alternative defensive midfielder to Brown, but they will feel the absence of Maclean most. Whilst he isn't nearly as much of a goal threat as former teammate Stevie May, this blogger has made no secret of his admiration for the veteran, whose link play is superb and who leads the line well. Without his nous, St. Johnstone will struggle for firepower. Target man Brian Graham is the likely replacement for the next few weeks, but it's doubtful if he will be as effective unless a more direct style of play is used. LS
Billy Mckay – he scores when he gets the service
Just what has happened to Billy Mckay? Last season he bagged six goals in the opening six league games, yet after the same number of matches in 2014/15 he has just the one goal to his name – a humble total for someone who has been so prolific in the last couple of seasons. Mckay, at least in terms of his goal scoring exploits, seems to have struggled under the new style of play employed at Inverness. In 2014 he has just five goals in twenty six league games. With a slower paced attacking style giving teams plenty of time to get men behind the ball there is significantly less space in which he can be effective. He can no longer effectively play on the shoulder of defenders looking for a slide rule pass to send him scampering behind the defence. One of Caley Thistle’s main strengths, pacey counter attacks where Mckay also thrived, are not as evident under Hughes and, whilst Inverness enjoyed a good start to the season with goals coming from midfield, Mckay will need to weigh in with some more strikes of his own to ensure ICT maintain their spot in the top six. AS
Moron of the week
If there hadn't been any red cards, this could have gone to Dundee United defender Callum Morris for his glorious miskick that gifted Hamilton an equalizer, or his goalkeeper Radoslaw Ciernziak for making a hash of Tony Andreu's later strike. But both were outdone by Accies' Darian McKinnon, shown a second yellow for celebrating in front of the United dugout.
However, nothing is more stupid than petulantly throwing a way the advantage of having an extra man. So well done Nadir Ciftci, for the deliberate handball that got him red carded shortly afterward. As shown by his silly antics against Inverness in the League Cup last season, he has a bit of a petulant streak; correct me if I'm wrong, but does he give referee John Beaton a wee push on the way past after being sent off? I suppose we've all wanted to shove Beaton at some point...
Andrew Sutherland (AS) occasionally writes for When Saturday Comes. He would never miss an ICT match unless he was offered a date with the lead singer of CHVRCHES...who he would then take to said ICT match.
Iain Meredith (IM) is technically a Rangers fan, but these days he tends to support them ironically. He only agreed to help with this blog because now he can tell his wife that he's "only watching the game to help a friend out".
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