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

Steven bell – Position – Midfield

                    Nationality – Scottish

                    D.O.B – February 24^th 1985

                    Height – 6’0” (1.83m)

 Steven began his carear in Tayside with Dundee utd at the age of 18 , unfortunately for the youngster he never got a break  In 2205 he moved to Palmerston where he played 1 game for queen of the south before he received an injury that would slide-line him for the rest of the season. After many weeks on the bench in Dumfries, Bell, was snapped up by Stirling Albion , who went on to play 62 mates for the Bino’s – scoring 11 goals over the 2 seasons , one of which , he scored in 15 seconds and stands as Stirling’s fastest ever goal. He was signed on a pre-contract with the pars.  

Graham Bayne – Position – Striker

                            Nationality – Scottish

                           D.O.B – August 22 1979

                           Height – 6’1” (1.85m)

 When Graham Bayne started his footballing career , he played at Dens park for Dundee – But after only playing 4 full games in as many games in Tayside , He was loaned out to his home town ,Kirkcaldy, where he played 12 games for Raith Rovers. After an unsuccessful period in Fife he was released by Dundee. He then further north to Arbroath, Where he spent a season, playing 34 games, scoring just 5 times. Yet again Bayne moved even further north, this time to Ross County. This time Bayne had a more successful period where he scored 11times in 43 games over the course of 2 seasons. In 2004 He was signed by Inverness CT where he became a fans favourite scoring 20 times in 80 matches. He was signed for £30,000 by Jim McIntyre 

Graeme Holmes – Position – Midfield

                                               Nationality – Scottish

                                               D.O.B – March 26^th 1984 

                                               Height – 5’9” (1.75m)

Just like Steven bell, Graeme Holmes failed to make a single appearance at Dundee Utd, He was loaned out to ‘the Sons’, Dumbarton, where he played 12 times for the 2^nd division side scoring just the one goal. When he was released from Dundee Utd, Holmes was signed by Airdrie where he went on to play 70 times for the Diamonds scoring 5 times.

Andy Kirk – Position – Striker

                     Nationality – Northern Irish

                     D.O.B – May 25^th 1979

                     Height – 5’10” (1.78m)

Andy started his footballing career in his home town of Belfast playing for Glentoran. He spent just one season in his home town playing 67 matches scoring 24 times, when Jim Jeffries signed him for £50,000 for him to move to the Scottish capital where he would play for hearts. In his first 2 seasons at Tynecastle, the young Irish-man played for the U21’s. He finally broke through into the first team in 2001. He then went on to play 121 times for the first team scoring 37 goals. Kirk was released for financial reasons in 2004 and was then signed by Boston Utd where he would spend 8 months at York Street, Playing 30 times , scoring a whooping 20 times! Northampton Town then offered Boston one they couldn’t refuse – £125,000, which made Northampton, Andy kirk’s 5th team in 7 years. At Northampton, he scored 32 goals in 92 games.

His next club were to be Yeovil town where he spent 8 months, Scoring 4 times in 19 games. Andy Kirk has played 8 times for his national team – but failing to score

Austin McCann – Position – defender

                             Nationality – Scottish

                             D.O.B – January 21^st 1980

                             Height – 5’9” (1.75m)

Austin McCann started playing football at Airdrieonians where he played 94 times over the course of 4 seasons, scoring 9 goals for the Diamonds. He was then signed by hearts. McCann struggled to get into the hearts team, but is remembered for a last minute goal he scored from 30 yards V Celtic to win the game 2-1 for the Jambo’s.

He was then loaned to Clyde for 6 games in 2004. After an unsuccessful 3 years in Edinburgh, Austin moved to Boston Utd for 2 seasons. He became a fans favourite playing 88 times for the pilgrims, again only scoring 1 goal. After his time in Boston, he moved to Nottingham, to play for Notts County. He spent yet again 2 seasons at the club, this time playing 65 games, with no goals. 

Callum Reidford – Position – Goalkeeper

                              Nationality – Scottish

                              D.O.B – May 26^th 1987

                              Height – 5’10” (1.77m)

Young Callum started his career at Glasgow Rangers at the age of 18, but with the likes of Allan McGregor and Ronald Wattereus at the club, the youngster never got his chance at the club. He was loaned to Dundee where we was looking for experience, but played in only 4 matches over the season. He was released by Rangers at the end on the 2007/08 season.

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 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

 Partick thistle 1 – 0 Dunfermline athletic

 Both teams went into the first game of the season with a win in the Alba challenge cup just 7 days before.

The fifers dominated the first 10 minutes, playing some beautiful football, but it was thistle who should have taken the lead in the 18^th minute when Ian Maxwell’s powerful header was cleared off the line by Nicky phinn

Dunfermline then had a great opportunity to take the lead away from east end park when Kevin Harper to the ball for a run down the wing, but when he crossed it, Graham Bayne and Iain Williamson managed to nock each other away from the ball , only for the keeper to catch it. On the half hour mark it was pretty evens from both team, but Gary Harkins received a through-ball l shot low and hard for a net bound ball, but there was fans favourite Paul Gallagher to catch it cleanly in his arms, just a minute later, Scott chaplain, chipped Gallagher, only for the ball to go over the crossbar. Yet again the partick strikers were making it difficult for the pars to get out their own half, Greg shields was the hero this time, clearing of the line yet again when Mark Roberts Chipped the ball over the keeper, as it was cleared, Scott Wilson fouled on the edge of the box, But Paul Paton hit it straight into the wall and blasted his rebound effort into the stand. Into the 36^th minute and Ex-Par Simon Donnelly came on to replace Mark Roberts. Kevin Harper was again running down the wing, but his crossed looked too much for Bayne but managed to lean back to direct the ball into Iain Williamson’s path, only for the youngster to heat it wide.  The jags were under some pressure when Stephen Glass was awarded a free kick, he got it well over the wall but the ball was too central to give Jonny Tuffey any trouble. Simon Donnelly nearly put Thistle in front against his old team when Damon Gray crossed the ball in from the wing, but managed to put it wide

Half time: Partick thistle 0-0 Dunfermline athletic

There was a scare for Dunfermline in the 53^rd minute when the ball appeared to roll up Scott Wilson’s arm, but the Dunfermline captain kept his cool when referee David Sommers gave no foul. Young Nicky Phinn took a run up front when he was obstructed by David Rowson, but just after the ref’ blew his whistle the ball fell to the feet of Graham Bayne but forced the pars to take the free-kick other than to play advantage, he then denied them an opportunity to take the kick quickly and whistled for the free-kick to be re-taken. Halfway into the 2^nd half Dunfermline made a double substitution , with Greg shields running to the bench , the fifers clapped him off but no one can on for him , it turned out he was not getting substituted – he was to change his strip as it was covered in blood from an earlier incident. Instead it was Austin McCann and Iain Williamson coming off for Scott Muirhead and debutant Andy Kirk  Graham Bayne was then booked for a behind tackle on Jags player Paul Paton The boys from Maryhill then swapped Damon Gray for Kevin McKinley for their 2^nd substitution of the game. After only being on for 5 minutes in his Pars debut, Andy Kirk nearly put Dunfermline in front when he connected with Kevin harpers cross, but headed wide. Moments later, Andy Kirk, found space in the area, who found Scott muirhead, but his shot was not good enough to beat Jonny Tuffey, Kevin Harper the hit the rebound over the cross bar. The Jags keeper, Jonny Tuffey, started a Thistle-counterattack when he threw the ball to the wing to Ian Maxwell, who was then found by Stephen Glass, Receiving a yellow card in the process. Ian McCall Made his last substitute of the games by replacing Scott Chaplain with Stephen McKeown . With only 6 minutes left, Andy Kirk won the pars a corner kick, Paul Paton kicked it out for the pars to get yet another corner. Yet again this corner was cleared by the thistle defence; Greg Shields was on the end of it to boot the ball back into the box where Scott Thompson was there to head it just wide of the post. Callum Woods was then brought on to replace Nicky phinn. When Jags crossed the ball into the box Paul Gallagher punched it away out to the 18 yard box where STEPHEN MCKEOWN was waiting to punt the ball home to give the Maryhill boys there first 3 points of the 2008/09 season. Despite attacking thistle with 4 men up front for the last 7 minutes , the Pars when back home to Fife with 0 points and 9^th in the league table.

Final score Partick thistle 1-0 Dunfermline athletic

Scottishfootballnews Man Of The Match – Nick Phinn

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

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!

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.