Scottish Results – 16th August

Scottish Premier League:-

Hibernian 3 – 2 Falkirk
Inverness 0 – 1 Hamilton
Motherwell 0 – 1 Aberdeen
Rangers 2 – 0 Hearts
St Mirren 0 – 0 Kilmarnock

Scottish Football League Division One:-

Airdrie 0 – 0 Dundee
Clyde 2 – 2 Ross County
Morton 1 – 2 Livingston
St Johnstone 0 – 2 Dunfermline

Scottish Football League Division Two:-

Alloa 1 - 1 Raith
Ayr 2 - 1 Arbroath
Brechin 2 – 2 Peterhead
East Fife 1 – 2 Queens Park
Stranraer 1 – 0 Stirling

Scottish Football League Division Three:-

Annan 2 - 1 East Stirling
Berwick 1 - 2 Dumbarton
Cowdenbeath 2 - 1 Albion
Forfar 0 - 1 Elgin
Stenhousemuir 2 - 2 Montrose

Kilmarnock Sign Parma Player

Kilmarnock have signed Italian midfielder Manuel Pascali on a three year deal.  The 26 Year old impressed while on trial in Tuscany.   Pascali scored the only goal over a month ago against Qpr and Manager Jim Jefferies believes he is the perfect player to challenge James Fowler for the Midfield position.  Although he signed for Parma in 2007 he was loaned out to Foligno for the entire season before joining up initially on Trial with Kilmarnock.

Dundee Sign Chris Pozniak – By Scott

Dundee have today signed Canada Internationalist Chris Pozniak on a one year Deal.  Chris who has played in Sweden and also Norway impressed in Dundee’s 2-1 win over Ross county Last weekend.   Pozniak is A central Midfield player but can also play in defence.  He played under Mo Johnston at Toronto where he was used as a defender. He was selected as a tenth pick in the MLS (American league) draft by the San Jose Earthquakes

Lukewarm Celts Plod To Friendly Stalemate

A makeshift Celtic team laboured to a tepid home draw with Manchester City last night, as frozen-out duo Gravesen and Riordan were brought out of mothballs in order to supplement an already weakened side. The 1-1 result unquestionably flattered the bhoys, who were again outclassed by their EPL also-ran opponents – who like Tottenham last week, hardly seemed to break sweat while giving the Scottish champions the runaround.

Even the imperious presence of Artur Boruc between the sticks could not mask the deficiencies inherent to a back four of Hinkel, O’Dea, Cuthbert and Naylor. Likewise the McGeady-less midfield of Hartley, Gravesen, Donati and Riordan failed to fire the imagination of the half-full Celtic Park, while it was a classic big man/little man combo up front as in-form Vennegoor of Hesselink teamed up with diminutive reserve team stalwart Paul McGowan.

This lack of sharpness, if not quality, was evident throughout the first half as City’s world class Richard Dunne was the rock upon which Celtic’s feeble attacks floundered. There was therefore an air of inevitability about the opener which came ten minutes into the second half when the speedy Martin Petrov tore down the inside left channel, leaving a trail of leaden-footed defenders in his wake, before drilling the ball firmly beyond Boruc. City also had a strong penalty appeal turned down as they seized complete control of the match. All the more surprising then was the late counter from Celtic’s pint sized striker McGowan, who unconvincingly diverted home a loose ball from a couple of yards out, after at least two City players had inexplicably declined to clear an innocuous hoof to the near post area. Suffice to say that the impressive Dunne had departed at half time, along with the convalescent Valery Bojinov, Spurs-bound Vedran Corluka and keeper Joe Hart.

Notwithstanding McGowan’s face-saving intervention, the game was notable for the debut of new signing Paddy McCourt who showed why Celtic beat off competition from the EPL for his signature with a highly promising cameo. Enthusiastic youngsters Caddis and Millar also joined the fray in the second half, as did Georgios Samaras against his former employers. But it was City who took the plaudits as Celtic again failed to spark under Gordon Strachan’s stewardship.

Scottishfootballnews man of the match: Martin Petrov (Man City)

Article written by Roving Hack Beyemystic

Lovell Signs For Falkirk

Former Aberdeen striker, Stevie Lovell has signed for Falkirk after being released by Aberdeen at the end of the season.  Lovell was being chased by a number of clubs including Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Dundee.  The striker signed a one year deal with the option on another year, it was reported that talks between Falkirk and the striker broke down and he considering other options but Lovell completed to move to the Falkirk Stadium.

Bairns manager John Hughes told the Falkirk website, “I am absolutely over the moon about the signing.  I have admired Steve’s ability for a long time.  I knew I would have to persevere to get his name on the dotted line.  That’s the reason I took him to Holland because I felt I could sell the club to him on the strength of the camaraderie that exists in the dressing room we have here.  The facilities at Stirling University are first class and I knew he was impressed with them too.  His signature will bring a whole new dimension to our attack.”

Lovell joined Aberdeen from Dundee in 2005 when Dundee were relegated from the Scottish Premier League, Lovell declined a big money move to Leicester to go where he thought he would be happy.  He scored 20 goals in 76 appearances for the Dons and 35 goals in 98 appearances for Dundee.  Falkirk fans must be as delighted as their manager is to have signed Lovell!

Luggy Apologies After Controversial Comments

Dundee United legend, Paul Sturrock today apologised for comments he made on Saturday as he referred to Dundee Football Club as “scumdee b******s”. The comments were made half an hour after the game as Luggy came out with a microphone and addressed the Dundee United fans. A fan recorded the incident at Home Park on his mobile phone and later posted it on YouTube which sparked anger from Dundee fans and well wishers from the city. This comes just a week after Luggy revealed he has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease – the club and fans sent their best wishes during the week and were shocked at this unprofessional public comment.

Dundee fans contacted the local papers and Plymouth Argyle Football Club about the incident and it was a leading story in The Courier and The Evening Telegraph and also featured on the local news. Dundee Chief Executive Dave MacKinnon demanded an apology and was happy to close the matter when the Dundee United legend made a public apology. MacKinnon told the Evening Telegraph, “His words were inappropriate, and when I heard what he’d said my reaction was that I’d hoped he’d be man enough to apologise. He has done that now – and that should be an end to the matter and we can all move on.”

Paul Sturrock issued a statement which read, “My remarks were entirely tongue in cheek. If I have offended anyone then I apologise but it was just banter, the sort of thing I’ve been on the receiving end of for the last 25 years whenever I’ve been out on the town in Dundee. I have no ill feeling whatsoever towards Dundee fans and was deeply touched by the kind messages I received from them last week when I revealed I was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.”

As Sturrock said, it was just a bit of banter and Dundee fans (myself included) have dished it out to him in the past. Some fans took the comments a bit too far in my opinion some even wishing him harm which is unacceptable. I don’t think it is the sort of thing he should be saying in public – he has apologised and we should move on from this. While I’m on the topic, I wish Luggy all the best in his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Article written by Marc Day.

Another Admin Appointed

Scottishfootballnews site Administrator this evening appointed me as an Administrator, I look forward to working with Gavin and everyone else that sends their articles in.  The site will not be a success without fans from every team in Scotland contributing in some way, all articles are valued.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank Gavin for making such an open site where all the fans get involved to help out other fans looking for news that too often isn’t in the press – especially in the SFL.

Marc - Site Admin Number Two!

Dundee Return Not Dead Yet

Former Dundee fans favourite, Stevie Lovell may still return to Dens Park within the next few weeks after a deal with Falkirk broke down. Dundee offered the striker a deal a number of weeks ago and the deal looked dead but the last minute hitch has left Dundee with a little hope of catching the in demand striker. It is understood the striker is happy with the contract that Dundee offered him and has agreed terms but is still hunting for a better deal with SPL football and money the key values. Lovell moved back to the area and was looking at Falkirk being an ideal place to be playing his football next season but with that deal breaking down Lovell may snub SPL sides Kilmarnock and Hibernian to stay closer to home.

Dundee have left the offer on the table in the hope that the striker will join up for a second spell something he previously wasn’t keen on as it could risk the the good relationships with the fans from his first spell at the club. The Englishman scored twenty eight goals in seventy one starts for Dundee. The club had to sell Lovell to Aberdeen in 2005 because of the financial situation at Dens Park, Aberdeen paid £250,000 for the striker that Jimmy Calderwood branded surplus to requirements at Pittodrie. 

If Dundee do manage to sign Lovell, I would be a happy man. He has shown us what he has got in the past and I have no doubts he would turn on the style again – especially in the First Division. A right midfielder and the signing of Lovell would complete the Dundee squad – although with our current injury crisis we have to sign a central midfielder and a central defender, I wouldn’t mind if the latter signings were simply loan deals. A nice squad we’d have then – I continue to dream…

Article written by: Marc Day

The Seasons Come And The Players Go

 

A meaningless game at the end of a decent season for Dundee saw them draw 1-1 with champions Hamilton Accies, finishing in second place just seven points behind the Accies. As the season came to an end it was the players saying farewell to the fans with exactly half of the sixteen man squad for that final day moving on during the summer and that meant gaffer Alex Rae would have his work cut out having to re-build the squad again.

Key players Scott Robertson and Paul Dixon moved across the road to Dundee United while highly rated Kevin McDonald joined Burnley for a fee that could reach £500,000. Gavin Swankie also decided to move on and he went to First Division rivals, St Johnstone while goalkeeper Craig Samson turned down a new deal and later joined English League One side, Hereford United. With such a re-building job required, fans were making negative comments about our chances for promotion but three months on, it is time for me to see how I think Dundee will do in the season ahead.

Just days after the season ended the press were reporting that Dundee wanted to sign eleven new players before the start of the season and Dundee were given a boost in early May when Mickael Antoine-Curier and David Cowan signed three and two year deals respectively the good news was short lived however as Colin McMenamin had to undergo surgery. The surgery was a success and Colin was back fit for the start of pre-season training. Dundee were then boosted by another double signing as winger Mark Gilhaney and injury prone central midfielder Darren Young put pen to paper on two year deals.

Dundee then informed fans that the squad would be heading to Malta for a ten day training camp in which they would play one game, against Birkirkara. Before heading to Malta, Dundee completed the signings of defenders Craig McKeown and Eric Paton. After the Malta trip, Dundee signed central midfielder Eddie Mearns, a player that was tipped for the top level after coming out the Hearts youth system. Not long after, some Dundee fans were getting a little too confident after parading former Scotland internationalist, Colin Cameron to the crowd at the Aberdeen game. A long trial period ended for former Dundee United central midfielder, Jim Lauchlan as he put pen to paper on a one year deal.

The additions of Colin Cameron and Michael Antoine-Curier have been fantastic but the signing of the close season for me has to be former Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper Rab Douglas. Rab, back for a second spell has pulled off some unbelievable saves and could be the difference between being promoted and finishing short. Dundee are still looking to add to their squad and four players are currently on trial they are, Darren Williams, Chris Pozniak and former Dundee midfielder, Kiko Torres. The fourth trialist has not been named yet.

Dundee already have a long injury list with central defenders Gary MacKenzie, Craig McKeown, Jim Lauchlan all missing the first league game at Victoria Park yesterday while central midfielders Darren Young and Colin Cameron are also out injured. Cameron is set to be out for at least a month. Our injury woes don’t end yet as striker Bob Davidson is also injured. We managed to win 2 – 1 at Victoria Park yesterday so when we get our other first team players back, I am confident we can do it. I can’t deny it – every year you think “this is our year” and feel that your team is going to achieve something – usually you don’t but if Dundee can stay clear of injuries I genuinely believe we can do it. The belief was there for everyone to see yesterday and I don’t think Dundee treated the Alloa game seriously the week before. We can improve but I’m delighted with the progress made so far – we need to build on that.  At the end of August I expect Dundee to have between 12 and 15 points with the hardest game being the trip to Palmerston on August 31st. We have three points on the board now and with Clyde (H), Airdrie United (A) and Morton (H) in the next three weeks – I expect full points after four games. Forgive me if I am asking too much but that’s the way I see it.

Dundee will finish within the top two – ask me again in a few months I will tell you which position in the top two.

Article written by Marc Day.

Dundee Say No To Three Trialists – By Callum Migh

Dundee kicked-off their pre-season with a 0-0 draw in Malta.  A Czech midfielder, a Dutch striker and defender Sean Webb joined the squad.  They three didn’t get contracts. Jim Lauchlan who also in Malta was awarded with a contract.  Back home the Dark Blues won 3-0 against Montrose and Stirling. and beat Cowdenbeath 5-1. A 0-0 draw with Aberdeen kept them unbeaten until 1-0 defeats to Wolves and Bradford.