Talking points from the Premiership weekend

Orchestrator Johansen on song again

I've often been critical of Celtic this season for their failure to win by convincing margins (seven of their eleven league victories have been by the odd goal), but this game was 1-0 going on 11-0.  The champions' attacking play was a joy to watch at times, with repeated flicks and backheels and dummies.  Stefan Johansen was a particular joy; the Norwegian has been terrific this season and orchestrated proceedings so effectively that one expected to see a baton in his hand.  He should now probably join John Guidetti and Virgil Van Dijk in the 'far too good for this diddy league' category.

But Celtic's finishing let them down, and whilst Dan Twardzik had an excellent game in goal for Motherwell, the truth is that many sitters were passed up - John Guidetti (twice), James Forrest and Emilio Izaguirre were particularly guilty.

So too was 'Well sub Lee Erwin though, who managed to head wide late on; his team, under the cosh for the whole match, could have nicked a point.  It was an ignominious cameo from Erwin, who then got himself booked for an embarrassing dive.  His day maybe wasn't quite so bad as teammate Simon Ramsden's - partly to blame for the goal, the English central defender chased shadows all afternoon until he eventually decided to hack one - and 'hack' does not quite do his red-card-inducing assault on James Forrest.

And even then, neither had the worst game of any Motherwell player.  Fraser Kerr was the main culprit for the goal, with a terrible backpass, and then spent half an hour being skinned down the Celtic left before, on his first venture forward, he twisted his ankle.  Heck, even his single attempt at a long throw-in was rubbish.  LS

Jack inspires Aberdeen revenge over Accies
Back in warm, sunny October, there was no finer team in the land than Hamilton Academical.  After starting the season as relegation favourites, and playing like it in their opener against Inverness, they went on a stunning eleven game unbeaten run.  It all came to a head when they picked up three points at Parkhead and followed that up by blowing Aberdeen away 3-0 at home.

But they have gone on to win just one game since them, and as it was against St Mirren it barely counts.  Normal service has been resumed and there was a nice symmetry to the score on Saturday in a game that was a pretty good example of what these teams are; a pretty good home side that will be pushing for second place come May, and pretty average visitors that are on slide and lacking confidence but won’t be in any real danger of relegation.

Aberdeen fans, being Aberdeen fans, spent a lot of time complaining that it wasn’t more, but this was a very efficient victory with Ryan Jack impressing in particular.  Jack has established himself as an important part of this team and it will be interesting to see how he develops, and Gordon Strachan should be keeping an eye on him.

Hamilton were pretty awful and their “defending” for Niall McGinn’s goal was a particular lowlight, although Jon Routledge getting a red card for either wiping two Aberdeen players out with one terrible tackle or for punching Jack for having the audacity to be one of said two players was also quite spectacular. IM






County's late rally doesn't disguise their failings

My word, Jim McIntyre's an optimist.  The Ross County manager bemoaned Yoann Arquin's decision to stay on his feet when clipped by Radoslaw Ciernziak, thus apparently denying them a penalty which would have been a critical turning point in this match.  Except County were already 3-1 down at that time, and, frankly, the 'contact' was so minimal that I'm not convinced that Arquin's minimal stumble before losing control of the ball justified a foul anyway.

To be honest, County's late rally allowed McIntyre to claim that his side had played well and been let down by poor finishing; the BBC report's claim that 'The Staggies produced a fine display against Dundee United' was clearly written by someone who thought the home side were wearing orange.  From the moment that Paul Quinn gifted Nadir Ciftci the opener till the Turkish forward struck his second and the visitors' third, there was only one team in Dingwall.  County were a defensive shambles - Quinn and Lewis Toshney made up their ninth (!) different central defensive partnership of the season, and it showed - whilst in attack Jake Jervis got no service, whilst Joe Cardle always gives the impression of a winger who can make something happen...but then never actually does.

That said, County showed enough heart and scrap that they were able to yank themselves back into the contest when United downed tools at 3-0.  But for the previous 40 minutes they were outstanding, with Chris Erskine and especially Stuart Armstrong absolutely flying.  After a poor patch earlier this season, Armstrong is back to his best, producing a trademark lung-busting burst from midfield to score.  His side certainly look very good bets for 'best of the rest', whilst County, at least, still look a hell of a lot better than Motherwell or St. Mirren. LS

Forward thinking needed
Even Barry Hearn couldn't have talked up proceedings at Firhill, where both teams managed a solitary goal and very little else of note, other than an amusing little contretemps between teammates Mark Connolly and Jamie Hamill.  Throw in some clothes made of animal skin and a couple of wooden clubs and it could have been two male neanderthals having a spat.

The lack of goalmouth action wasn't surprising really, given the forwards on display.  Partick's crop are so inspiring that they played midfielder Ryan Stevenson (no league goals in 12 games this season) up front, with Kris Doolan (1 goal in his last 11 games) only a sub.  For Killie, winger Tope Obadeyi notched up his fifth of the season, but up top they had Lee Miller (yet to score for the club) and Josh Magennis (2 goals in his last 17 appearances for club and country, both of which came in the same game).

This game at least ended Kilmarnock's run of five consecutive league and cup defeats.  And, remarkably given their recent run, they are back in the top six.  I can't help feeling that it'll be temporary though.  Their lack of confidence was obvious in this game; they were on top in the early stages and deservedly in front, but retreated into their shell after conceding,  Partick, meanwhile, have won only one of eight in the league, and only one of their league wins has come against a team above them in the table.  So their current ninth spot feels rather appropriate. LS






St. Mirren couldn't score in a brothel
Certainties in life include death, taxes, Nigel Farage saying at least one stupid thing a week, and St. Mirren failing to win at home - they've picked up only one point out of a possible twenty-four in Paisley this season, with St. Johnstone the latest beneficiaries of some Greater Glasgow generosity.

To be honest, the game was up as soon as Michael O'Halloran blasted the Perth Saints into an early lead.  That's because, in six of those eight home games so far, St. Mirren haven't even scored a goal.  Two of their three strikes on their own patch barely count, since they came against a Ross County defence that outdoes Santa at giving away gifts.

Tommy Craig has been saying all season that he needs talismanic striker Steven Thompson back.  Well, Thommohawk returned last weekend in the cup, played in the midweek replay, and then started this game...only to be subbed at half-time with another injury.  In hindsight, Tommy, maybe you shouldn't have made a 36 year old play three games in a week  immediately after a long layoff? LS

ICT can win ugly

Caley Thistle have won admirers for their football this season but the 2 - 1 victory against Dundee marked a different side to the team - when it came down to it, with Inverness not hitting the heights that they have already this season, they were still able to win, and win ugly.

The victory on Saturday meant ICT are now undefeated in their last seven visits to Dens Park.  Both sides largely cancelled each other out with defences very much on top.  David Clarkson was unable to net his ninth goal in nine games and ICT were left attempting long range efforts for most of the first half.

In the second half, with Dundee leading 1 - 0, Inverness drew level with a fortunate goal from Billy Mckay and just before 90 minutes were up Ryan Christie started and finished a fine counter attacking move to secure the win. 

People often say winning when playing poorly is the mark of champions. This might not be entirely applicable to Inverness who are unlikely to keep pace with Celtic at the top of the league for the entire season.  Nonetheless, with each passing game the confidence grows and grows and fans start to believe that they may just hang on to second place and secure European football at long last.  AS

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".

Lawrie Spence (LS) has ranted and spouted his ill-informed opinions on Narey's Toepoker since September 2007.  He has a life outside this blog.  Honestly.