SPL Round up

The final weekend of the season saw Hibs clinch a Europa League spot but also saw Falkirk relegated after a tense encounter at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock.

Here’s a round up of the weekend’s events:

Dundee Utd 0 Hibernian 2

Hibs secured an automatic Europa League spot with a fairly easy victory over a Dundee Utd side resting players ahead of next weekend’s Scottish Cup Final.

Two goals from Colin Nish were enough to seal the win which was Hibs first in the SPL since defeating Falkirk in March.

Kilmarnock 0 Falkirk 0

Steven Pressley boasted his Falkirk side would not be relegated when he was appointed manager following Eddie May’s departure but his words were to come back to haunt him as the Bairns plunged into the First Division following a goalless draw at Rugby Park.

Self confessed Falkirk supporter Ryan Flynn passed up his side’s best opportunity when, with only three minutes remaining he blasted over from six yards out when it seemed easier to score.

It seems certain Pressley will stay in charge at Falkirk despite their relegation with Bairns Chairman Martin Ritchie saying “The board are really behind Steven and the team, they put everything into it. Steven came in and gave the whole club a lift.

‘The club have asked Steven if he will stay on as head coach going into the new season.”

Hearts 1 Celtic 2

A lively performance from the Jambo’s wasn’t enough to secure a point against Celtic in a match which could be the last in charge of the Hoops for Neil Lennon.

On loan Spurs striker Robbie Keane was Celtic’s captain for the day in his final appearance for the club before he returns to White Hart Lane and he opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Marius Zaliuskas equalised for the home side.

China captain Zeng Zhi scored a magnificent winner just after the hour mark to ensure an eighth successive SPL victory for the Celts.

There has been much praise of the Celtic support in recent years but yesterday saw only two thirds of the visitors stand filled whilst those inhabiting it were heard to be singing pro-IRA songs throughout the 90 minutes.

Rangers 3 Motherwell 3

SPL Champions Rangers shared a six goal extravaganza with Motherwell who despite scoring nine times in their last 2 league matches, failed to pick up maximum points on either occasion.

The draw sees the Lanarkshire side finish 5th in the SPL and pipped, by a point, to an automatic Europa League spot by Hibernian.

Rangers had looked set for a comfortable victory having led 2-0 at half time thanks to goals courtesy of Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty but Motherwell pulled one back shortly after the break through Jamie Murphy.

Lafferty restored the Gers two goal cushion with barely 20 minutes left but comeback kings Motherwell, who’d fought back from 6-2 down the previous Wednesday against Hibs, showed their mettle by snatching a point with two injury time strikes through Jennings and a Lukas Jutkiewicz penalty.

St Johnstone 2 Hamilton 3

Accies finished the season on a high after a fine victory over Saints in Perth.

Mark McLaughlin and Dougie Imrie had provided the visitors with a two goal half time lead but St Johnstone fought back in the second half and appeared to have earned a share of the spoils when Liam Craig netted an equaliser on 68 minutes following Murray Davidson’s earlier effort.

Hamilton were not to be denied however and former Leicester player James Wesolowski banged home the winner with only six minutes remaining.

The victory ensure Hamilton finished 7th in the SPL while Saints will be disappointed at finishing eighth after challenging for a top six spot until the split.

St Mirren 0 Aberdeen 1

A largely disappointing season from Aberdeen saw them sign off with a victory in Paisley thanks to an own goal from former Don Lee Mair.

The game itself was fairly tame with both clubs safe in the league and playing mainly for pride.

Manager Mark McGhee is reportedly trying to cull his playing staff whilst looking to bring in other transfer targets with Kilmarnock hitman Kevin Kyle top of his wanted list.