Scottish Premiership: Strain mounts at Rangers as Aberdeen stun Celtic, Neil Critchley’s successful Hearts begin and extra

It was a dramatic weekend within the Scottish Premiership with the title race shaping as much as be an intriguing one – so what did we study from the newest spherical of video games?

Is strain mounting on Clement?

Aberdeen’s fightback in opposition to Celtic handed Rangers an ideal alternative to slender the hole on the highest two within the Scottish Premiership.

As a substitute, they had been discovered wanting in all areas as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock to drop six factors behind their rivals, with Dundee United just one level additional again.

The sport marked Philippe Clement’s first full 12 months in cost at Ibrox, however has there been any actual enchancment underneath the Belgian? Not in response to Sky Sports activities’ Kris Boyd.

They didn’t play like a staff desirous to power themselves into the title race, with Kilmarnock wanting much more up for the combat.

Rangers have solely scored 12 objectives of their eight Premiership matches, which is half of Celtic’s tally.

Derek McInnes’ Killie facet have picked up 9 factors from 5 unbeaten league matches, and Clement will probably be in search of his gamers to undertake a few of their willpower on the pitch.

Celtic slip as Aberdeen make assertion

The query was whether or not or not Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen facet may compete with champions Celtic and lay down a marker within the title race.

At one stage the reply was no as Celtic delivering one other slick efficiency, however the Dons dug in and fought again for a 2-2 draw to maintain them stage on factors with Brendan Rodgers’ facet.

Sure they rode their luck, particularly in stoppage time, as Celtic pushed for a winner, however they confirmed togetherness and the flexibility to cope with strain. One thing that was greater than missing final season.

Rodgers known as his gamers “careless” and he will probably be seeking to keep away from a repeat after they return to Champions League motion in opposition to Atalanta.

Critchley adjustments make fast influence

Neil Critchley’s first purpose as Hearts’ new head coach was to win a recreation they usually achieved that in model in opposition to St Mirren.

Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda, who had been but to point out their finest after becoming a member of in the summertime, impressed with Spittal additionally scoring in stoppage time.

One swallow doesn’t make a summer time, however the Hearts followers will probably be inspired by the potential of what they may obtain underneath Critchley.

Whereas St Mirren have struggled defensively of late, they’ve failed to attain in three of their 9 league video games and didn’t handle a single shot heading in the right direction at Tynecastle.

Hibs defence uncovered once more

Sunday twenty seventh October 11:00am


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It has been a dismal season thus far for Hibs who now discover themselves backside of the desk – under Hearts – forward of subsequent weekend’s Edinburgh derby, stay on Sky Sports activities.

After going 2-1 up within the 72nd minute their confidence evaporated when Joe Newall was despatched off and Dundee United took benefit to web two late objectives to place extra strain on David Grey.

It’s a win that takes United as much as fourth and only one level behind Rangers, who albeit have a recreation in hand, as they proceed to impress on their top-flight return.

Jim Goodwin’s facet are unbeaten in three forward of an enormous check at Aberdeen of their subsequent recreation.

Motherwell lack depth as Dundee snatch win

Motherwell captain Paul McGinn is out for a “vital interval” and his presence was missed as they struggled to seek out the shape in opposition to Dundee that had secured them three wins from their final 4 league video games.

It was a drained efficiency from the Steelmen with star participant Lennon Miller missing power after his journey to Kazakhstan with Scotland U21s.

That they had simply three pictures heading in the right direction as Dundee managed to keep away from one other late collapse and safe their first clear sheet of the season.

Will probably be a efficiency Tony Docherty will probably be decided to construct on if they’re to have an opportunity of replicating their top-six end of final season.

St Johnstone finish winless run in opposition to struggling Staggies

Simo Valakari remains to be ready to take his place within the St Johnstone dugout however the brand new supervisor is making adjustments as they ended their seven-game winless run by beating Ross County 3-0 to win at McDiarmid Park for the primary time this season.

Benji Kimpioka and Adama Sidibeh each posed an actual risk. The previous netted twice whereas Sidibeh arrange the primary and may have added at the least certainly one of his personal.

Inconsistency is proving pricey for Ross County. Whereas they impressed in opposition to Celtic with out reward, they struggled and poor self-discipline allow them to down with each Eli Campbell and Charlie Telfer despatched off as they had been left and not using a win of their final 4.