CHARLIE CHRISTIE –Not many people predicted top six after split
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After last weekend’s results we now know the top and bottom six placings in the Scottish Premier League.
Several sides desperately fought to join the ‘elite’ and enjoy the financial benefits of being in the top half of the table post-split.
At Livingston with 70 minutes gone the home support would have thought the job was done. But
Motherwell completed their comeback which saw Rickie Lamie’s 93rd minute equaliser turn the tables and pip them for sixth spot.
At Pittodrie, Aberdeen’s fate was outwith their control as they badly needed other results to go their way.
But they didn’t bargain on a home defeat to Ross County which will see the Dons go in to the final five fixtures looking down rather than up!
That victory in Aberdeen confirmed County would make the top half and, when you consider that after 10 matches of the season, they sat rock bottom with only three points, it is quite incredible. It wasn’t until October 27 that they achieved their first win with a comprehensive defeat of Dundee and they have been difficult to beat ever since.
Credit to Malky Mackay and his staff for proving numerous pundits wrong who all tipped the Dingwall side for relegation at that stage.
Dundee United will also feel it is mission accomplished as they sit fourth. Looking at the table on Monday, I found it hard to believe that United could be in the lofty position of fourth whilst having scored only 31 goals in 33 games and having a goal difference of minus six.
Hibernian are another side who have only managed 31 goals so far this campaign and their failure to achieve a top six spot will be hard to accept for their support. This weekend sees a respite for most Premier League clubs with attention turning to the Scottish Cup and two incredibly mouth-watering semi-finals at Hampden Park on Saturday and Sunday.
Hibs will be desperate to redress their poor performance in last week’s league derby as they face Hearts at lunchtime on Saturday but they will have to perform at a far higher level than last weekend.
I find it hard to see past the men in maroon who, in Barrie Mackay and Liam Boyce, have better quality in the final third which often makes the difference in these big matches.
Celtic and Rangers go head-to-head and given recent league results, it may well be Rangers last opportunity to win some silverware.
I feel Celtic’s greater quality in an attacking sense will be too hot to handle for Rangers but Old Firm semi finals are notoriously difficult to predict and it will not be lacking in intensity or ferocity.
