In this weekend's Premiership games, there's a focus on the first Edinburgh derby of the season, a potential difference-maker for Motherwell at Celtic Park and a spotlight on Russell Martin, again.
As Kieran Tierney approaches his 400th career game, Tom English asks if the Celtic defender can get back to what he once was?
Max Aarons scored a stoppage-time winner as the embattled Rangers manager, Russell Martin, eked out his first Scottish Premiership victory in six attempts with a 2-1 triumph away to Livingston. James Tavernier had put Rangers in front midway through the first half but the captain blew the chance to extend their lead when he had a penalty saved by Lions goalkeeper Jerome Prior. The hosts capitalised on this reprieve to equalise through Mo Sylla after the break, leaving Rangers staring at the prospect of a sixth league game without a win. Continue reading...
Celtic fans’ 12 minutes of silence followed by 0-0 draw Kyziridis sparks Hearts to 3-0 win against Falkirk Celtic fans had little to cheer after ending their silent protest as a goalless home draw with Hibernian allowed Hearts to move to the top of the Premiership with a 3-0 win against Falkirk at Tynecastle. The Celtic Fans Collective had organised “12 minutes of silence from your 12th man” at the start of the game to continue the protest against the Hoops’ board and its transfer dealings. While the atmosphere improved, Celtic drew a blank for the fourth time this season as Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi hit the bar and Hibs held on, which had the knock-on effect of doing a favour for their Edinburgh rivals. Continue reading...
Russell Martin insists confidence among his Rangers players "is the best it has been" since he became head coach, and believes they can still win the title despite their bad start.
Russell Martin's unconvincing message wearing thin after another Rangers defeat, writes Amy Canavan.
Premier Sports Cup holders Celtic will face Rangers in the semi-finals of this season's competition as Motherwell take on St Mirren.
Russell Martin at last enjoyed some positivity as Rangers manager with a 2-0 Premier Sports Cup quarter-final win over Hibernian on a day of fans protest against him at Ibrox. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh had flown in from the United States amid a growing sense of crisis at the club, with disgruntled fans protesting against Martin and chief executive Patrick Stewart outside the stadium before the game and also at the start of the match. The turning point came when Hibs captain Martin Boyle had a goal ruled out in the 19th minute for handball, with frustrated Light Blues supporters ready to explode in anger again. Continue reading...
Rangers were denied a legitimate goal, Hearts should have had one disallowed in the same game, and both Celtic and Hibernian were wrongly awarded penalties last weekend, according to the Scottish FA's review panel.
Rangers head coach Russell Martin admits criticism "hurts" and "is difficult" but is resolute in his view the team can succeed under his stewardship.
