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Page last updated at 16:12 GMT, Saturday, 25 September 2010 17:12 UK

Saturday's SPL as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

MY SPORT: DEBATE

To get involved use My Sport or text us your views & comments on 80295. (Not all contributions can be used)

By Colin Moffat

1705: That's all from me folks. Thanks for your company and be sure to log on tomorrow for Aberdeen v Rangers, which is always a bit tasty. Remember you can see online highlights of all of today's games from 1800 BST on Sunday.

1700: At the top, Celtic move clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers, who visit Aberdeen tomorrow. Motherwell move up to third on a bad day for the Edinburgh sides, while Hamilton will be hurting after Killie's late comeback and all the players at Tannadice will be hurting after the number of bad challenges that were flying in. St Mirren prop up the table after losing at home to Inverness but the Buddies players might not know since newspapers have been banned from the dressing room.

1655: Full-time: Hamilton 2-2 Kilmarnock. The visitors snatch two late goals after being under the cosh for long spells.

1655: Full-time Dundee United 1-0 St Johnstone. David Goodwillie's scrappy goal is enough to settle an ill-tempered match at Tannadice.

1652: Full-time: Celtic 2-1 Hibernian. Neil Lennon's side move top of the table and maintain their 100% league record.

1651:Full-time: St Mirren 1-2 Inverness. The Highlanders continue their good form on the road.

1648:Full-time: Hearts 0-2 Motherwell. The Steelmen make it three wins from three away from home.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Well, I didn't see that coming. Killie have clawed their way back level, having looked dead and buried. Connor Sammon is the hero for the visitors, heading in from close range. Seconds later, Jamie Hamill sends a header crashing against the base of the post. The Hamilton players looked bewildered after dominating for so long.

1648: GOAL - Hamilton 2-2 Kilmarnock (Sammon)

1647: We're into the final few minutes. Will there be any late drama or have we used up our goals quota for the day?

Someone has struck the woodwork
1642: Celtic go close to extending their lead when Georgios Samaras just fails to meet an Anthony Stokes cross across the face of Hibs' goal. Efrain Juarez immediately sends a header against the Hibs crossbar and, when the ball goes to the other end, Derek Riordan volleys over from 12 yards.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Tomas Cerny makes a brilliant save to keep out Jamie Hamill's spot-kick but a re-take is ordered for players encroaching and the same player holds his nerve to drill home from the second attempt. It's all taken so long I can't remember what the penalty was given for!

1641: GOAL - Hamilton 2-1 Kilmarnock (Hamill)

Someone has won a penalty
1639: Penalty to Kilmarnock.

1636: A Marcus Haber header produces a terrific save by Dundee United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, who tips the ball over the bar.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
On-loan forward Paul McGowan hands St Mirren a lifeline with a fierce volley from the edge of the penalty box. That sets it up nicely for a storming finish in Paisley.

1635: GOAL - St Mirren 1-2 Inverness (McGowan)

1633: Hibernian midfielder John Rankin goes close with a long-range drive, with Celtic fans and players furious that they ought to have had a free-kick instead of the visitors.

My Sport
From JodyMorris4England On My Sport: "Did you have to highlight my typo?! That said, Heart of Motherwell is an interesting idea - might even challenge the Old Firm..."
Can't believe that one got by my eagle eye. The blizzard of second half goals must have impaired my judgement. Either that or the two cans of Special Brew at half-time.

1630: The game at New Douglas Park is getting stretched now, with chances at either end. David Elebert makes sweet contact with a volley only to see it fly straight at Kilmarnock goalie Cammy Bell.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chris Humphrey is again the provider for Motherwell, showing pace and power before setting up John Sutton for a simple finish.

1625: GOAL - Hearts 0-2 Motherwell (Sutton)

1624: Motherwell striker John Sutton clips the ball over the crossbar after goalkeeper Marian Kello spills a shot from Keith Lasley.

1623: Hearts substitute Stephen Elliott tries to round goalkeeper Darren Randolph but the Motherwell man recovers to avert the danger.

My Sport
From JodyMorris4England On My Sport: "Look how tight the as-it-stands table is once you discount the top two. It represents a great opportunity for a team like Hearts of Motherwell to put together a few results and break away from the pack. I've got a feeling that most of the excitement in the SPL this season will come from the relegation battle rather than the predictable affair that is the title race..."

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Dundee United's David Goodwillie is sharpest to react to a loose ball in the box, stabbing home from eight yards under Peter Enckelman. Scrappy, but the happy home fans care not one jot.

1620: GOAL - Dundee United 1-0 St Johnstone (Goodwillie)

1618: Hamilton forward Flavio Paixao draws a fine save from Cammy Bell with a volley, following some neat passing play from the hosts.

1617: St Johnstone left-back Danny Grainger thumps an angled free-kick straight at the top corner of the net from 25 yards, but is denied a goal by the athleticism of United keeper Dusan Pernis.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Hibs are back in the game out of the blue when former Celtic forward Derek Riordan brilliantly lobs goalkeeper Fraser Forster from the edge of the penalty box. A touch of genius from the skinny wee forward.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Phew! The goals are flying in now. At Tynecastle, Chris Humphrey pulls the ball back from the backline and Nick Blackman turns it into the net despite the presence of Adrian Mrowiec.

1614: GOAL - Celtic 2-1 Hibernian (Riordan)

1613: GOAL - Hearts 0-1 Motherwell (Blackman)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
The home side stretch their lead when a Glenn Loovens header from a corner is missed completely by former Celtic goalkeeper Mark Brown and it crosses the line despite desperate attempts to clear off the line.

1611: GOAL - Celtic 2-0 Hibernian (Loovens)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Inverness strike again on the counter-attack as Eric Odhiambo picks up on a fine Johnny Hayes pass to slip the ball over Paul Gallacher and double his side's lead.

1609: GOAL - St Mirren 0-2 Inverness (Odhiambo)

1607: That's better from Kilmarnock as David Di Silva fires in a shot that Tomas Cerny gets everything behind. No changes from either side but Alexei Eremenko is player deeper in midfield for the visitors rather than up front.

1605: Ki Sung-Yeung comes on for Charlie Mulgrew, with Joe Ledley moving back to left-back for Celtic against Hibs. There's no news yet whether it is a tactical change or if Mulgrew had an injury.

1600: We're off again...

1555: After Scott Brown's fizzing early strike, I thought we were on for a cracker at Celtic Park but it's been really poor fare ever since. Hibs have done next to nothing and cannot string more than a couple of passes together, while the hosts have also been misfiring all over the park.

Half time
1548: Half-time scores:
Celtic 1-0 Hibernian
Dundee Utd 0-0 St Johnstone
Hamilton 2-0 Kilmarnock
Hearts 0-0 Motherwell
St Mirren 0-1 Inverness CT

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
ICT take the lead on the stroke of half-time through Eric Odhiambo who angles a shot into the net after an exchange of passes at the edge of the penalty box.

1546: GOAL - St Mirren 0-1 Inverness (Odhiambo)

1545: St Johnstone keeper Peter Enckelman manages to parry a fierce David Goodwillie drive from outside the box, then the United striker does brilliantly to dispossess Michael Duberry when the big defender was trying to usher the ball out to safety to win his side a corner.

1545: With the Kilmarnock defence doing fair impression of the Keystone Kops, Hamilton players are queuing up to have a pop at goal but the visitors are let off the hook as Dougie Imrie blazes his effort over the crossbar.

My Sport
From bringthemonjpm On My Sport: "My prediction for today. Cloudy, thunder spells followed by scattered showers: the Hibs dressing room at full-time."

1542: St Johnstone's Chris Millar must feel that referee Brian Winter has it in for him today. He is already on a booking and has been on the receiving end of Winter's stare after a few "iffy" challenges. He'd better cool his jets.

1539: Motherwell striker Jamie Murphy has another effort at the Hearts goal and this time keeper Marian Kello is required to make a save.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Frazer Wright loops a great chance over the bar for Kilmarnock a minute or so before Hamilton double their lead thanks to a brilliant slaloming run from Nigel Hasselbaink, finished by a sweet strike with the outside of his boot.

1538: GOAL - Hamilton 2-0 Kilmarnock (Hasselbaink)

1534: Ex-Hibs striker Anthony Stokes is booked for diving against his former club. No Celtic players plead his innocence, so it appears that referee Calum Murray got that one right.

Someone has struck the woodwork
1534: Keith Lasley sets Jamie Murphy up for a shot but the Motherwell forward strikes the post. The visitors have not really been in the game but that's a warning for Hearts.

It's sunny
1534: I should mention that it's a perfect day for football. Here in Glasgow, the sun is shining and there is hardly a breathe of wind.

1531: St Mirren have also made an early change and Paul McQuade sees a useful long-range effort tipped over the bar by Ryan Esson to keep the scores level in Paisley.

1530: With time and space in the box, Andy Jackson ought to have put St Johnstone ahead, but credit to United keeper Dusan Pernis for a great block. Peter Schmeichel would have been proud of that one.

1529: Hearts midfielder David Templeton, called up for Scotland's Under-21 European Championship play-off with Iceland, crosses for Kevin Kyle to head just over the crossbar.

1527: Hamilton are running the show at New Douglas Park and Cammy Douglas makes a smart save to deny the busy Nigel Hasselbaink.

1524: Paul McGowan fires in a stinging shot for St Mirren but Ryan Esson pulls off a fine save to tip the ball round the post.

My Sport
From H185GAR2 On My Sport: "2 minutes into the game Hughes was having a laugh with fans behind him, 3 minutes later we concede. He obviously doesn't care. Hughes out now!!!"

1522: St Johnstone's Jennison Myrie-Williams evades four - count 'em! - half-hearted challenges from his former team-mates and works his way into a shooting position, only to blast into the side netting.

Someone has struck the woodwork
1520: Inverness substitute Nick Ross goes close to making an immediate impact as his low drive beats Buddies keeper Paul Gallacher but hits the upright and goes out for a bye-kick.

1516: Motherwell striker Nick Blackman brushes off Adrian Mrowiec and blasts a shot wide of the Hearts goal. At much the same time St Johnstone's Murray Davidson smacks a volley over the bar from 20 yards.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
With Kilmarnock all at sea, Flavio Paixao steals in front of goalkeeper Cammy Bell to divert a header into the back of the net and give Hamilton a deserved lead.

1515: GOAL - Hamilton 1-0 Kilmarnock (Flavio Paixao)

1513: Hamilton striker Nigel Hasselbaink flicks a neat header home only to be denied a goal by the linesman's fluttering flag.

1512: "Hibs are giving the ball away cheaply and John Hughes is giving his team a hard time for their sloppy start," BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo MacLeod looks on as two of his former sides do battle.

1510: "So far, the football on display hasn't been of the highest quality," BBC Radio Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont is less than impressed at St Mirren Park.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Former Hibs midfielder Scott Brown gives Celtic the lead, rifling a fantastic shot into the top corner from 25 yards after being set up by Efrain Juarez.

1506: GOAL - Celtic 1-0 Hibernian (Brown)

1505: The ball falls nicely for Marco Paixao just seven yards out but the Hamilton man elects to try and find a team-mate when a shot looked like the best option. From the resulting corner, Martin Canning's header bounces off the turf and over the crossbar.

1503: We have just noticed the incredible resemblance between BBC Scotland commentator Jim Spence and the hairy, orange Dundee United mascot.

1501: Early pressure from Hearts at Tynecastle as Suso Santana escapes a couple of challenges and sets up David Templeton, who drags his shot wide.

1500: We're off. Hold on to your hats...

My Sport
From glasgowjambo1987 On My Sport: "I think I speak for everyone, when I ask with a little frustration, what's happening with the predictor?!?!"
The official BBC line is that we are still trying to fix the technical problems blighting the much-loved Predictor game. However, I suspect the embarrassing answer is that it is kaput and will not be seen again this season... It's a saga worthy of it's own mini-series (late night BBC 4 due to the strong language) but I'd be shot for insubordination if I spilled the beans on the catalogue of incompetence.

1454: Team news from St Mirren Park
St Mirren: Gallacher, McGregor, Potter, Mair, van Zanten, Murray, McGowan, Travner, Hegarty, Lynch, Wardlaw. Subs: Samson, McQuade, McAusland, McCluskey, Love, McLennan, McLean.
Inverness CT: Esson, Proctor, Munro, Duff, Tokely, Hayes, Odhiambo, Duncan, Shinnie, Foran, Rooney. Subs: Tuffey, McBain, Morrison, Blumenshtein, Nick Ross, Sutherland.

1452: Team news from Tynecastle:
Hearts: Kello, Jason Thomson, Jonsson, Bouzid, Palazuelos, Templeton, Stevenson, Mrowiec, Santana, Elliot, Kyle. Subs: Balogh, Black, Elliott, Obua, Ryan McGowan, Skacel, Glen.
Motherwell: Randolph, Saunders, Craigan, Reynolds, Hateley, Humphrey, Jennings, Lasley, Murphy, Sutton, Blackman. Subs: Hollis, McHugh, Forbes, Page, Gow, McKinnon, Carswell.

1450: Team news from Tannadice:
Dundee Utd: Pernis, Dillon, Dods, Kenneth, Dixon, Severin, Buaben, Gomis, David Robertson, Daly, Goodwillie. Subs: Banks, Scott Robertson, Cadamarteri, Shala, Watson, Russell, Dow.
St Johnstone: Enckelman, Maybury, MacKay, Duberry, Grainger, Millar, Morris, Davidson, Myrie-Williams, Parkin, Jackson. Subs: Smith, Anderson, Craig, McIntosh, May, Haber, Samuel.

1447: Team news from Celtic Park:
Celtic: Forster, Cha, Majstorovic, Loovens, Mulgrew, Juarez, Brown, Ledley, Maloney, Stokes, Hooper. Subs: Zaluska, Samaras, Rogne, Ki, Murphy, Kayal, Towell.
Hibernian: Brown, Hart, Grounds, Dickoh, Hanlon, Wotherspoon, De Graaf, McBride, Miller, Rankin, Riordan. Subs: Smith, Hogg, Galbraith, Trakys, Stevenson, Stephens, Thicot.

1445: Team news from New Douglas Park. Hamilton: Cerny, Buchanan, Canning, McLaughlin, Mensing, Flavio Paixao, Goodwin, Imrie, Marco Paixao, Hasselbaink, Routledge. Subs: Murdoch, Graham, McDonald, Casalinuovo, Lyle, Kirkpatrick, Elebert. Kilmarnock: Bell, Sissoko, Wright, Pascali, Gordon, Hamill, Bryson, Eremenko, Forrester, Silva, Sammon. Subs: Letheren, Clancy, Hay, Rui Miguel, Taouil, Invincibile, Kelly.

1435: Confirmation of the team news from Celtic Park. Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew, Shaun Maloney and Cha Du-Ri come in for Mark Wilson, Georgios Samaras, Ki Sung-Yeung and Emilio Izaguirre. David Wotherspoon and Paul Hanlon come into the Hibs line-up for the injured Sol Bamba and Colin Nish.

1434: Hamilton are bottom of the table by dint of their goal difference, which took a hit when they opened the term with back-to-back 4-0 defeats. Since then, the Accies have rallied with a win at Inverness, were unfortunate to lose to a late goal from Rangers and picked up a point at Easter Road last weekend.

1433: Dundee United and St Johnstone met five times last season and each game was really tight. Four were decided by a single goal, while the only encounter at Tannadice finished 3-3. Let's hope for another thriller today.

My Sport
From Blue Heaven On My Sport: "Celtic should win easily. The other fixtures look more balanced - home advantage could be telling."

1429: Inverness are another side to fare better on the road, picking up the four points they have outside the Highlands. Buddies beware - Caley Thistle have only lost four of the 15 matches they have played in Paisley.

1425: Motherwell have won on their league travels to Kilmarnock and St Johnstone so far and they will fancy their chances against a Hearts defence that leaked four goals to Falkirk on Tuesday. However, the Jambos are always a tough nut to crack on home soil.

1422: Early team news from Celtic Park: Shaun Maloney, Scott Brown and Cha Du-Ri are back for the home side, while Hibs striker Colin Nish is missing.

1419: Hibernian were the only SPL team to win at Celtic Park last season but the Edinburgh side have made a sticky start to this campaign, with just one victory to their name so far. The Hibees' poor run stretches back some distance, with only four wins from their last 26 games and manager John Hughes is feeling the pressure. What's the betting Anthony Stokes, who he sold to Celtic last month, adds to his current misery? Stokes grabbed two in Wednesday's 6-0 win over Inverness and Celtic have won five from five in the league.

1415: Welcome to a busy Saturday in the Scottish Premier League. We have five games at the traditional 1500 BST kick off time, which is rare these days.

Celtic v Hibernian
Dundee United v St Johnstone
Hamilton v Kilmarnock
Hearts v Motherwell
St Mirren v Inverness CT



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