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Page last updated at 19:44 GMT, Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Tuesday's Scottish football as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

MY SPORT: DEBATE

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By Keir Murray

2153: Ladies and gents, it's time for buttered toast and a cup of warm milk. Sweet dreams. Thanks for your company as always. Good night.

2151: Walter Smith and Jimmy Calderwood agree Killie were the better side in the first half. The Rugby Park boss says his players' heads went down when the visitors got their first goal.

2149: Rangers now have a break from the league campaign, with games against Dundee United in the Scottish Cup and St Mirren in the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

2148: In the Third Division, Livingston have taken a massive step towards promotion by beating their closest rivals East Stirlingshire 2-0.

2146: Airdrie and Dunfermline have drawn 1-1 and Raith came from a goal down to beat Ross County 2-1 in the First Division.

2144: We didn't have pictures coming in to the BBC offices here at Pacific Quay in Glasgow so the highlights of this evening's two matches will be available on the BBC Sport website tomorrow afternoon, rather than at midnight tonight.

2142: Motherwell miss the chance to draw level on points with fourth-placed Hibs but at least they extend their unbeaten run to 11 games. And yet another clean sheet for John Ruddy.

2141: So it's pretty clear what Rangers have to do to clinch the SPL title now that they and Celtic have played the same number of games. If Celtic win all 10 of their remaining matches, Rangers would have to secure victories in six out of 10 of their fixtures to win the league by a point.

Full time
Kilmarnock 0-2 Rangers

2138: Nacho Novo escapes his marker and lifts a shot over the top of the Kilmarnock crossbar.

2137: Brechin have beaten Stirling Albion by a goal to nil in the Second Division.

Full time
St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell

2135: Inverness have beaten Queen of the South 3-1. That's a long journey back to Dumfries after a defeat.

2134: St Mirren almost snatch it at the death, but Andy Dorman's effort is cleared off the line by Mark Reynolds with the home side claiming for a penalty for handball.

2132: Well, you would imagine St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson will be the happier of the two bosses if the match stays goalless. At least the Buddies would be a point ahead of 11th-placed Hamilton.

2130: Four minutes left at Rugby Park, and probably the same at St Mirren Park. We'll need to buy Al Lamont a spare watch with a half-time alarm function.

2128: I recently heard this described as the tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

Handbags
2126: The mention of Chris Woods has me thinking of the infamous incident at Ibrox in an Old Firm game all those years ago when Woods, Terry Butcher and Graham Roberts were involved in a bit of "handbags" with Celtic striker Frank McAvennie. Yeah, the one that ended up in court.

2124: Everton goalkeeping coach Chris Woods was up watching his on-loan goalie John Ruddy...but has left early. Is the game that bad?!

2123: Kilmarnock have Celtic up next, in the Scottish Cup on Saturday. An easy double-header for the Ayrshiremen.

2121: Rangers' mini goal burst is over. They seem to be running down the clock now.

2118: On the subject of games you wish you hadn't seen, my colleague Stevie Miller offers this: Saint Johnstone v Falkirk in about 1989...the game was so dire myself and a friend went home thinking it was a 0-0 draw...only to find out Falkirk had won 1-0. The game was so bad that clearly no-one in the ground was watching, as even the Falkirk fans didn't cheer.

2110: Andy Dorman passes up a great chance after a fine pass from Craig Dargo, but slices his effort wide with only John Ruddy to beat.

"I'd tell you exactly how long there is left in the match...if I'd managed to remember to reset my stopwatch at the end of half-time." - To be fair to BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont he seems to be watching the game that time forgot at St Mirren Park.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Steven Davis' shot is parried by Cammy Bell and Kenny Miller hammers home the rebound.

GOAL Kilmarnock 0-2 Rangers

2104: "That's a real chance for St Mirren gone a-begging." BBC Scotland's Craig Paterson

2103: Andy Dorman almost scores with his second touch but blazes wide after a cross evades the Motherwell defence.

2102: If Rangers can hang on to this lead, they will have taken another long stride to the SPL title. The chances for Celtic to benefit from a slip-up or five are diminishing.

2100: I am still trying to get my head round the Kevin Kyle situation. The big Killie striker injured his groin while playing in a trial match in Turkey with Russian side Spartak Nalchik. He is out of contract in the summer and is able to play in bounce games abroad the day before his current side have a league game? That's quite something.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Iain Flannigan hesitates at the back post as the ball is delivered into the Kilmarnock box and Steven Whittaker brings the ball down before lashing home.

GOAL Kilmarnock 0-1 Rangers

2057: Maybe if that was the Buddies' formation we might see a goal or two: 3-1-5-4.

2056: A modest crowd at St Mirren. Just 3,154 hardy souls.

2054: Jamie Hamill clears off the line to prevent Kris Boyd's shot finding the net.

2053: Craig Brown has made some Motherwell substitutions - Jim O'Brien on for Ross Forbes, Jamie Murphy on for Giles Coke.

My Sport
"If Billy Mehmet was on the pitch it wouldn't be 0-0 at half time!! That's a FACT!" DiegoforUtd on My Sport.

2050: An anonymous text to 80295: "Gers are looking sluggish tonight, time for a change. Bring on Novo now."

2048: Just to clarify, that's no change of players - not shoes, hairstyle, underwear, suits, etc.

2047: No changes by Jimmy Calderwood or Walter Smith at Rugby Park.

My Sport
So that might explain why mem was so bored at Ibrox... "For games I wish I hadn't seen and endured, the Rangers v St Mirren cup replay this season, for the 90 mins and most of extra time it seemed like neither team actually wanted to be there, was just a boring, boring game. mem on My Sport.

2042: St Mirren and Rangers have played one another four times since 27 January and are due to meet again in the final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

2041: If you are interested in Chick Young's view then have a read about what the wee man is saying about the prospect of a takeover at Ibrox.

My Sport
It is a heavy-looking pitch at Killie, but no excuses, Rangers seem to be lacking appetite for these midweek games now, much the same as we did during the Champions League games, funnily enough. The players I think need a slap to tell them to play the same as they do at weekends. On My Sport, mem has some unusual motivational techniques for Walter Smith to try out on his Rangers players

2034: Let's hope we get a pair of 3-3 draws. # All we are saying is give us 12 goals... # As the song goes...


Half time
Kilmarnock 0-0 Rangers
St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell

2031: Allan McGregor is called into action again, this time to block a fierce strike by Killie striker Chris Maguire. He was the man who scored the only goal of the game when Robbie Keane made his debut for Celtic at Rugby Park. Think he can do an Old Firm double?

2031: Talk about contrasting fortunes. St Mirren haven't won an SPL match in nine attempts, while the visitors, Well, as I mentioned below, are unbeaten in 10.

2028: The closest thing we have seen (or heard) to a goal at St Mirren Park as Graham Carey flashes a right-footed shot just wide.

My Sport
My hope for this evening is that Jimmy Calderwood doesn't mention the ref after the game. May the best team in blue and white supported by Jimmy win. The answer to life the universe and everything is having a bit of a laugh on My Sport.

2026: "I have to say I've been impressed with everything I've seen of (Graham) Carey the past few weeks." BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont

2024: If you are following this on your mobile, you can contribute by texting 80295.

2021: Giles Coke tests Paul Gallacher again with a well-struck shot which is too close to the keeper.

2020: Rangers goalie Allan McGregor fumbles a cross but recovers in time to stop Manuel Pascali scoring for Kilmarnock.

2019 St Mirren make a fine passing move from left to right, but Craig Dargo can't latch on to Michael Higdon's overhit cross.

My Sport
You know I mentioned that I cannot see the games tonight? Well, how do you fancy letting us know about some games you wish you had never witnessed. Share your miserable memories on My Sport.

2016: Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor makes a reaction save to parry Mehdi Taouil's shot.

2016: "Kilmarnock need to retain possession to give their team a bit of confidence." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds

2015: Back to the SPL and St Mirren Park. "It's exactly as we thought, two teams matching up in style, matching up all over the park." BBC Scotland's Craig Paterson

2013: In the Third Division, there are fewer goals than a sales manager badly lacking in ambition. In fact, there are none.

2011: And in the Second Division, there are only two goals in the five matches. Arbroath are winning 1-0 at the Blue Brazil, Cowdenbeath, while Dumbarton are a goal to the good at home to Alloa.

2010: Course you do, that's the spirit. Well, Airdrie United are a goal up on Dunfermline but there is no scoring at Inverness v Queen of the South or Raith Rovers v Ross County. That's yer whack in the First Division.

2008: Fancy an update on the scores in the Scottish Football League?

2007: Kris Boyd hammers a shot over the crossbar after Kilmarnock concede possession in a dangerous position.

"You can see highlights of this game on the BBC Sport website tomorrow. Let's hope we see some goals." Hope springs eternal for BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont

2006: Graham Carey has the first effort of the night from long range after winning the ball, but his shot is straight at the ever impressive John Ruddy.

2005: Up the road in Paisley... Motherwell's Stevie Hammell goes down with a head knock and St Mirren defender Lee Mair puts the ball out, but there's a suspicion he actually just misplaced his pass and claimed he'd put it out to cover his error. Clever, huh?

2004: Talking of Mr Wright, he has just thundered through the back of Kenny Miller, like the New Cumnock express train that forgot to stop at Kilmarnock.

2003: Kris Boyd, by the way, is looking for his 100th SPL goal for Rangers. He always seems to score against Killie, his former team. Methinks Jimmy Calderwood may have warned Frazer Wright and co to be "extra vigilant" this evening. Or words to that effect.

2002: Frazer Wright makes an important blocking challenge to prevent Kenny Miller's cross reaching Kris Boyd.

2002: "Good positive play there by St Mirren." BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont

2000: Tell you what - Scotland manager Craig Levein had better watch his back. The bold Broon will be turning a few heads at Hampden!

1959: But the state of the pitch should not detract from the fantastic run of form Motherwell have enjoyed under Craig Brown. Unbeaten in the SPL in 10 matches, seven of which have been wins for the Steelmen. And they have conceded only two goals in that run.

1958: How relieved Well must be to play away from the ploughed field that is Fir Park.

"There's been some nice neat passing, but it's that final ball...both teams have failed miserably when they've got there." BBC Scotland's Craig Paterson

1956: Then at the other end Mehdi Taouil fires a shot at the Rangers goal but Allan McGregor claims the ball.

1955: Kenny Miller's cross is inches away from reaching its target, DaMarcus Beasley, as Rangers look for the opener at Rugby Park.

1955: Hang on, we've got some action...

1954: This means I'm relying on the fabulous commentaries from my colleagues John Barnes, Billy Dodds and Chick Young at Rugby Park, and Alasdair Lamont and Craig Paterson in Paisley.

1953: Now, as I catch my breath, I can let you know that we have a different set-up tonight for the live text commentary. We can't see the games!

1952: Early pressure from Kilmarnock as Iain Flannigan's header is blocked by the Rangers defence.

"It's been a good start, Motherwell maybe slightly better." BBC Scotland's Craig Paterson

1951: Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Wilson, Weir, Davis, Thomson, Beasley, McCulloch, Miller, Boyd. Subs: Alexander, Edu, Novo, Naismith, Broadfoot, Little, Fleck.

1950: Kilmarnock: Bell, Clancy, Hamill, Wright, Pascali, Fowler, Taouil, Severin, Flannigan, Maguire, Russell. Subs: Robinson, Hay, Invincibile, Fernandez, Kelly, Burchill, Kiernan.

1949: And Craig Brown has made three changes for Motherwell. Jim O'Brien, Keith Lasley and Jamie Murphy drop to the bench to be replaced in the starting line-up by Giles Coke, Ross Forbes and Steven Saunders.

1948: So, St Mirren make four changes to the side that lost at Ibrox on Saturday. Chris Innes, Andy Dorman, Steven Thomson and Billy Mehmet drop out and in come Hugh Murray, Alan Johnson, Craig Dargo and Jack Ross.

1948:Motherwell: Ruddy, Reynolds, Craigan, Saunders, Hateley, Coke, Jennings, Forbes, Hammell, Sutton, Humphrey. Subs: Fraser, Jutkiewicz, Lasley, Murphy, O'Brien, McGlinchey, McHugh.

1947: And at St Mirren Park, the Buddies line up as follows: Gallacher, Mair, Potter, Barron, Ross, Johnston, Brady, Murray, Carey, Higdon, Dargo. Subs: Howard, Dorman, Mehmet, Thomson, Loy, O'Donnell, McLennan.

1946: Rangers are unchanged from Saturday's victory over St Mirren.

1945: Kilmarnock make two changes from their weekend defeat to Hibernian with James Fowler and Allan Russell coming in for Garry Hay and David Fernandez.

1940: Welcome to this evening's live text commmentary on the two Scottish Premier League matches, with score updates on the Scottish Football League action.




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Scottish Premier results

9 Mar 2010 23:59 UK


Scottish Premier table snapshot

As it stood on 9 Mar 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Rangers284867
2Celtic282454
3Dundee Utd28648
4Hibernian28947
5Motherwell29445
6Hearts28-437
7Aberdeen27-930
8St Johnstone25-628
9Kilmarnock29-1626
10St Mirren28-1424
11Hamilton27-1923
12Falkirk27-2320

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