The early snow put paid to the Scottish Premier League last weekend. With a blanket of snow falling across the country, the SPL postponed the whole weekend before the fans could be left disappointed on their way to any of the games. Of course, with SPL fans left just about missing football, it was rather exciting for all when it returned, in part, on Saturday.
Only half of the fixtures survived the adverse weather conditions. Hibernian‘s trip to New Douglas Park to face Hamilton was called off on Friday following an inspection. Celtic versus Kilmarnock and Dundee United versus Motherwell had already been called off on Thursday due to safety concerns.
Of the games that went ahead, most eyes will have been on Tynecastle. Third-placed Hearts welcomed Aberdeen, who were watched for the first time by their new manager Craig Brown. But by the time Arvydas Novikovas supplied the home side’s fifth goal of the afternoon, the former Scotland manager could well have been forgiven for trying to change his mind and returning to Motherwell.
Aberdeen, who slumped to the bottom of the SPL table thanks to the 5-0 drubbing, were always second best to their rampant hosts once they went behind. With just two minutes gone, Zander Diamond glanced a header narrowly wide that could have given Brown a perfect start in his new job. Of course, when luck isn’t with you, it really isn’t with you. Hearts were two up within ten minutes.
David Templeton scrambled home the opener, then turned provider for Rudi Skacel to score the second and, with the second goal, any fight in Aberdeen quickly disappeared. Hearts, who extended their winning run to five matches, were just too much for The Dons with their slick passing and could have added to their total in the first half.
Templeton probably should have done better with the best chance of the rest of the half but Hearts didn’t have to wait long after the interval for the third to be added; Stephen Elliott bulleted Ruben Palazuelos’ cross in just six minutes into the second period. Skacel added his second just before the hour with a simple finish from Templeton’s cut-back and when Novikovas curled in his effort, there were 20 minutes to go. With Hearts guaranteed the points and Aberdeen desperate to get home, the last few minutes were largely forgetful.
The win moved Hearts three points clear of fourth-placed Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who drew 1-1 with Rangers in Saturday’s early kick-off. In front of the television cameras, Caley produced a similar performance to the ones that have seen them pushing towards the top of the SPL table. Having not lost an away league match in twelve months, the promoted side were easily the better team as they hosted the reigning champions. Winger Jonny Hayes produced a glorious strike from some 25 yards to put Caley Thistle in front and, had their leading scorer Adam Rooney been a little sharper, Rangers could have gone in at half time three goals behind.
Walter Smith’s men looked to be struggling after their midweek trip to Turkey and it wasn’t until the second half that they started to play much better. They played with a greater passion for the game and with 57 minutes gone, Kenny Miller grabbed his 20th goal of the season to level up the scores. Both teams tried to press for a winner and it was Rangers who always looked the more likely scorers, although Steven Naismith had a lot of explaining to do when he spooned the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score.
With time running down, James Beattie looked like he had won the game for Rangers by winning a soft penalty. He produced a rather dramatic fall with eight minutes left in the game but Kenny Miller’s straight penalty was saved by the trailing legs of Ryan Esson. And Miller had another opportunity to win the game in added time but he screwed his shot wide of the post.
In the third game of the weekend, St Johnstone moved into eighth place with a 2-1 win over St Mirren. The visitors grabbed their winner with a last-minute goal from Liam Craig in what was a lively encounter. Following a slightly forgettable first half, Sam Parkin headed St Johnstone ahead eight minutes after the break. Michael Higdon restored parity for the hosts with a free-kick that found the corner of the goal before Craig’s stirring winner. Substitute Colin Samuel crossed in for the left-sided Craig to slot home the winner just as it looked like the points would be shared.
Results
Hearts 5-0 Aberdeen, Inverness CT 1-1 Rangers, St Mirren 1-2 St Johnstone
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Tags: Aberdeen, Hearts, Inverness Caley Thistle, Rangers, Scottish Premier League, St Johnstone, St Mirren