The answer of course is The Dundee Derby. A mere one hundred meters separate these clubs, a two minute stroll for a fit man (they tell me) but there’s a gulf far bigger than distance and this was evident on Sunday as the two came head to head at Tannadice. The three nil score line doesn’t flatter the Arabs, sure Ferrys’ opener was comical, a shot that bounced off him and in it rolled to put the home side 1-0 ahead. From there on superb defending, goal line clearances and but for woodwork this game could well have been over by half time. Dundee did have the ball in the net but up stepped VAR to rule the goal out due to an infringement in the box and much to the away fans annoyance. For what It’s worth I did think it was a tad harsh on Dundee but rules is rules as they say.
Ferry’s second on 70 mins, a shot from 20 yards was no more than United deserved. And with Strain putting the icing on the cake with a third less than two mins later, United cemented their spot as top dogs in the city of discovery for another year. The same city, the same street but very different emotions for the two sets of fans.
Talking of emotions congratulations to St Johnstone who have secured the title and a return to the SPL for next season. Saints have looked strong most of this year and have navigated the tricky path back to the top flight and a chance to rub shoulders with the elite of Scottish football, and The Rangers. A well done and pat on the back to Simo Valakari and his team.
Sadly though there are also commiserations and these go to both Kielty Hearts who found League One tough going this season and are relegated to League Two. A similar fate befell Edinburgh City battling from a 15 point deduction placed by the SFA on the club “due to said club suffering an insolvency event”. It was always an uphill battle and but for that 15 point deduction would find themselves in 9th place above Dumbarton. Cruelly they find themselves dropping out of the league altogether.
League One, and Inverness Caley despite their own 5 point deduction for going into administration are now 2 points clear with the title in their hands - avoid defeat to Hamilton Accies on Saturday and it’s a return to the Championship
.
So to the SPL and the race for the title.
So to the SPL and the race for the title.
First up Celtic and a chance to close the gap and keep the pressure on both Hearts and Rangers.
An early evening kick off and with Celtic Park bathed in spring sunshine the scene was set for battle.
I was a little more confident going into this one. Not because I don’t rate Falkirk but because there was a spring in the step of the players that had been missing for quite some time. That said, it was Falkirk with the best opportunity in the 21st min to open the scoring when a rocket from the foot of Spencer was touched around the post by a - at full stretch - Sinisalo. A shot from Ralston was dealt with adequately enough by the Falkirk keeper before up stepped a rejuvenated Daizen Maeda. Now the most cynical among us could question whether this upturn in form is to put himself in the spotlight and a move away from Celtic but whatever it is if it helps us lift the title I’m all for it.
For the second week in a row his pace closing down caused mayhem, and having robbed the defender slotted past a hapless Hogarth in the Falkirk goal - and the Celts were one nil up. Falkirk continued to press but to no avail and Celtic were rewarded in the 44th minute when “Mr Celtic”, Kieran Tierney, fired home Celtic's second, and into the break they went. In the sunlight and strains of Depeche modes’ “Just can’t get enough” amongst others the attending fans were certainly in joyful mood.
So to the second half and the 70th minute and the ghosts of Celtic past raised their heads briefly as Wilson fired home from a difficult angle and suddenly Falkirk were back in the game. However this time Celtic refused to buckle and were in no mood to relinquish their lead and the points were sealed by Maeda in the 83rd minute when his second made its way into the net and for 24hrs Celtic were alongside Hearts at the top of the SPL. A job well done and it’s over to the Rangers and Hearts to continue the chase.
First up on Sunday and the Edinburgh Derby with Hearts facing Hibernian at Easter Road. A ground that recently hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Jambos and so it seemed to continue when in the seventh minute a header from soon to be elsewhere Bowie slammed home into the net and Hibernian were one nil up. My prediction of a home win looking good or at least for a few mins til the Hibs keeper Sallinger inexplicably handled the ball outside the box and with the intervention of VAR was shown a red card by Don Robertson and Hibs task was made much more difficult. However to their credit the home team battled and battled but tempers flared and Passlack of Hibs saw his second yellow on 49mins and the home side reduced to nine men. Magnificent saves from stand in Hibs keeper Smith and the woodwork managed to repel the onslaught as Hearts desperately sought an equaliser. This finally came in the 65th minute when a shot from the darling of the Scottish press, Shankland, bounced off Hibs defender O’Hara and the scores were level. Hearts of course, much to the delight of Ian Crocker (a man so impartial that I’m sure sleeps under a Rangers FC duvet) restored Hearts 3 point lead at the top of the table.
Over at Ibrox however things weren’t going to plan for the boys in blue. Having lined up against an inconsistent Motherwell. I, along with many others felt this was a “given” for the Rangers. Danny Röhl's boys have looked ruthless recently and are the team I personally fear most, or at least did, in this title battle. To the strains of Tina Turner and a “Keep believing” tifo the scene was set. Motherwell however clearly hadn’t read the script and were there not simply to make up numbers but instead to dent hopes. Askou has said he’s tired of the “Kingmaker” tag that has been thrown around his club recently but like it or not Jens’ it’s going to stick particularly after Sunday's performance.
So to the game and as I said Motherwell didn’t turn up to just play out 90 mins, walk away and leave 3 points on the Broomloan Road. After a spell of early Rangers pressure it was Motherwell who took advantage of some poor defending and Fadinger fired past Butland in the 16th minute to put the Steelmen 1 up. A goal applauded by his manager, it was clear to see Motherwell aren’t on the beach just yet. Despite their pressure Rangers created little in the way of chances from open play and again found themselves punished again by sloppy defending as Longelo fired into the net and sent the Fir Park side 2 up. The small contingent of away fans filled Ibrox with noise but not the noise the Rangers needed to hear. Longelo should probably made it 3 but for a deflection off a Rangers boot sent the ball looping over the bar and out for a corner. Despite their best efforts the Rangers couldn’t find a way to break through the Well defence and the fans made sure the team were aware of their disapproval at half time.
Now I’ve said before this team can battle and we’ve also been aware that a two goal lead is a dangerous one and so when changes were made by Röhl the team emerged with a renewed vigour and it didn’t take long before Chermiti, helped by a slip by Motherwell's McGinn, halved the deficit in the 51st minute. Game on and from there on in I felt a Rangers victory was the only possible outcome. I’m glad I’m wrong more often than I’m right.
Rangers did battle and they did add a second on 70 mins as Raskin headed home from close range 2-2.
The star of the show however was Motherwell's Longelo, the 25 year old left winger from Barking, found the back of the Rangers net in the 90th minute to once again put Motherwell ahead.
Despite playing ten mins of the advertised seven of injury time the Rangers couldn’t find an equaliser and at the final whistle the boos rang out. Rangers fans clearly far from happy now find themselves in third spot in the league a point behind Celtic and four points behind Hearts. With four games to go and next up for the Rangers a trip to Tynecastle on Monday May 4th at 5-30 (Sky or Premier Sports I imagine will carry this game) losing there could put them seven points off the top with three to go and at kick off four behind Celtic assuming of course they take care of Hibs in a tricky trip to Easter Road. Any points dropped now can be crucial and sure things can change quickly this is a blow the men from Ibrox didn’t need.
Next weekend will see champions crowned, play off places assured and relegations confirmed but in the SPL it’s another must win for all 3 at the top of the table. A Rangers win means Hearts lose and if Celtic beat Hibs on Sunday the gap could be one point and goal difference between the three. This is certainly shaping up for a powder keg finish
Til next time …
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
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