Sure the “big game” was at Hampden but honestly it was hard to get excited about a 90 min kick about. Ok, it may have served some purpose in the eyes of Steve “the best manager Scotland has ever had” Clarke in so much as he had the opportunity to see if some fringe players deserved a seat to World Cup 2026 (as a Scot I’m still finding it rather surreal that we’re heading for a week in the sun in June) but other than that there was little enthusiasm here at Robertson Towers for this match. Yes I endured it, after all Scottish football correspondent means sometimes I’m going to have to watch matches I'd rather not but I did my duty dear reader and managed to stay awake for the whole 90 mins, partly due to the fact I had dropped the remote and couldn’t be bothered bending down to change channel, the game itself settled by a deflected goal from Japan and Genk's controversial winger Junya Ito. One notable absentee being Kyogo Furuhashi who since leaving Celtic to boost his profile and make it into the Japan team has had mixed fortunes. I wish him well.
So to the meaningful matches. Friday night saw Partick Thistle face Ross County and chance to close the gap at the top to two points before St Johnstone met Queen’s Park on Saturday. Thistle took their chance, grabbed it with both hands and despite falling behind in the second minute galvanised themselves into action and ran out comfortable 3-1 winners. Over 3000 packed Firhill which in itself is quite the achievement but such is the draw of a title race. Further down the league, and Raith kept their playoff hopes alive with 3-0 demolition of Ayr United. That said there’s a total of five points between the final playoff spot in fourth and Ayr United in eighth.
Whilst Dunfermline look comfortable with two games in hand there’s still hope for most and as we’ve said before strange things happen in life, in football. It’s still up for grabs. Further down in League One two pushing for promotion Inverness Caley & Queen of the South met at the Sarens PSG stadium and battled out a 1-1 draw. Veteran Nicky Clark putting the visitors from Dumfries ahead before Millen pulled one back for the hosts. Not a result that suited either, the point perhaps a better outcome for Queens but now leaving Thistle four points clear with their promotion chasing rivals Stenhousemuir yet to play. An opportunity to widen the gap wasted for Caley.
Saturday and St Johnstone lined up against one time cup giant killers Queens Park. The script however didn’t go to plan as the visitors took the lead in the 32nd minute when Murray headed home into the bottom left hand corner of net. However the visitors lead wasn’t to last long as Hearts bound McPake blasted home to restore parity. A point apiece, two points dropped by the league leaders who now find their lead at the top cut to 3 points. Twists and turns to come I suspect. Their next match away to Arbroath who themselves are in third fighting for a playoff place. Could be a juicy one. Roll on April 4th.
Stenhousemuir with the opportunity to close the League One gap to merely goal difference went into their game on Saturday full of hope and expectation against a struggling East Fife side. By halftime Stenny were 1-0 up and by all accounts looking comfortable. A second two mins after half time and the visitors seemed to have it comfortably won. But just as you think that leg of your accumulator is well and truly done, and remembering you didn’t do the “two goal ahead payout” option, back came East Fife with vengeance and vigour with two goals in two mins to level the score and send your dreams of retiring to Irelands north western shores perhaps Carraig Airt (where my sons grandfather came from) courtesy of Betfred bookmakers to drift out into the wild Atlantic for another week. Again an opportunity lost for the chasing pack and Stenhousemuir a point behind Inverness, Saturday the 11th of April the two meet in a 5-30 kick off (BBC Alba I suspect) top of the table clash. Fun times ahead.
Talking of top of the table clashes and League Twos top two came face to face a chance to open a gap for East Kilbride or for Spartans to overtake their rivals and climb to the summit. Again neither happened as this match also finished in a draw - 1-1. A late John Robertson penalty for Kilbride ensuring the weekend ended “as you were”.
The Premier league returns on Saturday April the fourth with the Rangers hosting Dundee United. Three point there will take them top of the table, for at least 24 hours, before Hearts travel to Livingston and third placed Celtic face Dundee. But first Scotland play another friendly this time against the Ivory Coast. Anyone interested can find it on BBC Scotland or the BBC Iplayer. With one of the most fascinating run-ins in years across all pro leagues in Scotland I just hope no player ends up missing out due to injury.
Til next time …
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
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