FootyChatter.com

Clive Lindsay BBC Scotland That's about all from us here on the website, but remember that highlights of today's three Premiership games will be on Sportscene at 19: 15 on the BBC Scotland channel and repeated at 23: 30 on BBC One Scotland. FT: Dundee United 1-0 St Johnstone Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is still looking for improvement despite a win that puts his side level on points with third-top Hibs. "It pretty much panned out how we thought it would prior to kick off, " he tells BBC Scotland. "We spoke about trying to press high up the pitch and be aggressive and I think we forced them to go longer than they would have liked a lot of the time. "There are things we could do better - we could be better on the ball and in possession. "We didn't really create enough clear cut chances from open play. " FT: Motherwell 0-0 Heart of Midlothian Michael Stewart Former Hearts midfielder on Sportsound Hearts need a leader. Somebody who takes control. FT: Motherwell 0-0 Heart of Midlothian Hearts head coach Neil Critchley says it is "a hugely disappointing day" to miss out on a top-six place. "We didn't do enough to win the game, " he tells BBC Scotland. "The first half was cagey from both teams, Motherwell were much more aggressive. We were too slow with the ball and made too many mistakes. "We changed at half-time and played more simple football, got the ball forward quicker and created some good chances, but we didn't take them. That's probably the story of not just today but a few other performances where you could point to us being wasteful in front of goal. "It was a tactical decision [the half-time changes] - it wasn't a reflection of the players' performance. I thought in the second half we were in control of the territory, but we didn't do enough in and around the goal. " FT: St Mirren 3-2 Ross County St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson describes reaching the top six for a third season running as "an incredible achievement". "To achieve this level of consistency with the resources we have, it's an outstanding achievement from everybody at the football club, " he tells BBC Scotland. "I'm delighted, I'm delighted with the group of players, I'm delighted that they've achieved this. "Ultimately, over the course of the season, you get what you deserve and we've deserved to be a top-six side. " Scottish League 2 It's not looking good for Bonnyrigg at the foot of the SPFL. They have now gone 11 games without a win, losing four in a row, after a 2-0 defeat at home to second-top East Fife - and seven points adrift of second-bottom Forfar. Forfar's draw away to Clyde means they both move further clear of the Pyramid Play-off spot. Leaders Peterhead and third-top Edinburgh also won, but Stirling move to within two points of fourth-placed Elgin. FT: St Mirren 3-2 Ross County Ross County manager Don Cowie is frustrated at St Mirren's late winner. "Our players put everything into it, " he tells BBC Scotland. "At two-all, we looked like the team that was maybe going to go on and win the game. "At that point, it's important that you don't lose the game. You take the point and move on. That's the frustrating aspect of the game. I saw an awful lot that I really enjoyed from my team. "We know where we are and we have to get ready for five really big, important games coming up. "It's so tight. It'll be a challenge, but we'll be ready for it. " FT: Dundee United 1-0 St Johnstone St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari tells BBC Scotland: "Overall, we played well. We knew it would be tight margins and unfortunately the goal we concede comes from a crazy thing happening. "The boys put everything in. We created chances. Five games to go, the fight continues. "We know we played well. We are in good form. We do the right things. We just need the results, that's the hardest thing. "Everyone who watched today saw what we are all about. Our players are tough, they are good players. We have given ourselves a chance. " FT: Motherwell 0-0 Heart of Midlothian Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer tells BBC Scotland: "I'm a little bit disappointed - the guys in the dressing room were disappointed. "In the last 10 minutes, I knew it was 3-2 to St Mirren, so at that point I was okay to get the point because it could be important [later in the season]. "I feel sorry for the guys that they can't reward themselves for the effort, but you saw after the game the fans appreciated the effort. "I'm okay with the point because Hearts is a strong opponent if you see the expectations. Now I know what we have to develop and what you need in this league to be successful. " Stay with us for manager reaction from the three Premiership games. Scottish League 1 Arbroath are on the brink of clinching the title despite second-top Cove's win away to Dumbarton. The Red Lichties are eight points clear and a win over third-placed Stenhousemuir in the match about to kick-off live on BBC Alba will be enough to secure promotion back to the Championship. Kelty marked their first game since Charlie Mulgrew resigned as manager with a win in Inverness. Watch Arbroath v Stenhousemuir on BBC Alba. FT: St MIrren 3-2 Ross County This video can not be played The scenes in Paisley as St Mirren secure top six place FT: Motherwell 0-0 Heart of Midlothian Hearts have failed to score in their latest three games in the Premiership. Their last longer run of games without scoring a goal in the competition was a run of four games from 31 October 2018 to 24 November 2018. Lawrence Shankland missed two good opportunities in the second half Scottish Championship Livingston held on for victory in Greenock to move to within six points of second-tier leaders Falkirk. Maybe David Martindale was premature with his suggestion that his rivals had also won the title. Meanwhile, it is all change at the bottom. Queen's Park drop to second bottom after losing at home to Dunfermline, who move up one place, while Hamilton also rise to seventh after their win at Firhill. At the bottom, Airdrieonians are only five behind Queen's Park after their draw away to Raith Rovers, who are now two off Partick Thistle in fourth. Jamie Gullan rescued a point for Raith Rovers Scottish League 2 Scottish League 1 Scottish Championship Scottish Premiership What a topsy turvy day that was in the race for a top-six finish. While Motherwell and Hearts drew a blank, it was all down to the action as it fluctuated one way then the other in Paisley. Eventually it was St Mirren who prevailed thanks to Roland Idowu's winner in a 3-2 victory over Ross County. Meanwhile, Dundee United are now just behind third-top Hibs after a Emmanuel Adegboyega goal leaves St Johnstone five adrift of Dundee at the bottom. What a day. .. Dundee United thwart a St Johnstone fightback to strengthen their bid for third place as they move level on points with Hibs. After giving away a daft corner, Saints failed to defend the set-piece with the ball bouncing to Emmanuel Adegboyega at the front post for the defender to tap in what proved to be the winner. St Johnstone remain five behind Dundee at the bottom. Emmanuel Adegboyega's goal separated the sides Brian Graham Hearts and Motherwell both missed out on the Scottish Premiership top six after a poor goalless draw at Fir Park. Both teams came into the game with aspirations of a top-half finish and Hearts knew victory would guarantee them the sole place that remained. However, the pressure led to a game starved of chances, with Hearts substitute Lawrence Shankland coming closest to breaking the deadlock towards the end but his effort was cleared off the line. The first half was high on effort but low on quality, the best opportunity falling to Sander Kartum who from 15 yards curled over after Kofi Balmer was caught in possession. Motherwell's best opening before the break came from set-pieces. Callum Slattery's low drive was deflected wide, then the resulting corner ended up at Tony Watt but his effort was off target. Neil Critchley brought on Cammy Devlin at half-time, but Hearts remained sorely lacking in end product. Shankland had a header saved before he blazed over from just inside the box with 20 minutes to play. Hearts began take control in the closing stages and Shankland's effort was cleared off the line and Jorge Grant thrashed the follow-up over. Michael Wimmer's side had a great chance to win it late on, but Dan Casey headed over from a corner. There was time for one more huge chance for Shankland but he dragged his shot wide of the post when clean through. All you need to know about Motherwell News and analysis from Hearts Casey should have scored late on, but in reality Motherwell toiled for most of the game and lacked creativity. Their eyes are now on the bottom six and avoiding the relegation play-off place as they head into the split with just two wins in 12 games. It looks set to be an almighty battle with only six points separating Dundee in second bottom and Hearts in seventh. The new manager bounce Motherwell enjoyed when Wimmer first came in seems a distant memory now. The absence of Shankland was the big talking point pre-match and Hearts struggled to create much without him. The striker's introduction at the interval livened up the away aside, but their striking woes were laid bare when Critchley was forced to send on Craig Halkett as an emergency forward with their top-six chances slipping away. Critchley should be commended for turning Hearts' season around after a dreadful start to the season. But just one more point from their final three pre-split matches would have secured top-six football and they really should have managed that. Like Motherwell, their thoughts will now be on securing their Premiership status for next term. Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "I'm a little bit disappointed, the guys in the dressing room were disappointed. "In the last 10 minutes I knew it was 3-2 to St Mirren so at that point I was ok to get the point because it could be important [later in the season]. " Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "It's a hugely disappointing day, we didn't do enough to win the game. "Under normal circumstances, a point and a clean sheet away from home isn't that bad but today it's not what we came here for. " Last Updated 12th April 2025 at 17: 00 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Michael Wimmer Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 Manager: Neil Critchley Formation: 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 Manager: Michael Wimmer Formation: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 Manager: Neil Critchley Formation: 4 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 We're still improving Match stats. Let us know what you think. Scottish Premiership All competitions All competitions All competitions Motherwell have won six of their last eight home league games against Heart of Midlothian (L2), including a 3-1 win in August of this season. None of the last 12 league meetings between Motherwell and Heart of Midlothian have finished level, with Hearts winning seven and losing five since a 1-1 draw in March 2020. Motherwell have lost seven of their last 10 games in the Scottish Premiership (W2 D1), picking up fewer points than any side in the division since the start of this run (7) on January 11th. Hearts have lost both of their last two league games without scoring; they last lost three in a row without reply in the Scottish Premiership in December 2019, a run that included a 1-0 loss at Motherwell. Motherwell’s Ellery Balcombe has conceded more goals than any goalkeeper in the Scottish Premiership this season (53). Indeed, of goalkeepers to play 20+ times in the competition this season, his save rate of 60. 5% is the lowest. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.