HIBSTHERE seems to be nothing surer on the fixed odds coupon than a draw when Hibs face Dundee United.
For the fourth time this season, and the fifth time in a row, the sides shared the spoils. It doesn't end our hopes of a pl
ace in the Uefa Cup, but makes a win up at Aberdeen pretty much a necessity this weekend.
Harry Potter wasn't exactly renowned for a wizard brand of football when he was in charge at the Pink Bus Shelter, but credit where it's due, United are a bit easier on the eye, and games against them are invariably entertaining. Sadly, a tidy finish from Deano wasn't quite enough, and a moment of madness from Thierry Gatthuessi in bringing down Mark de Vries cost us all three points.
And what about Noel Hunt? Talk about jumping on the bandwagon – the latest to join the "Mixu-bashing" craze. Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough! At least Harry Potter never accused Mixu of "a lorryload of sour grapes". He must be mellowing I suppose.
Michael Doylewww.hibs.net
ST MIRRENSATURDAY at Tynecastle proved that meaningless games in the bottom six don't need to be boring. A thrilling game saw five goals in a match that almost turned into a goal-of-the-season competition.
We've now got five games left until the end of the season, with hopefully a few more matches like the one against Hearts. However, God knows when we're going to get our game against Rangers out of the way.
It's looking likely we'll be asked to help out and extend the season, but with our players set to go on holiday after the last game, it will be interesting to see what happens. Rangers have enough decent players to play two midweek games and still do well. They signed Alan Gow, so they might as well give him a game.
However, some people claim this shouldn't happen to help Rangers in Europe. I don't know about anyone else, but I want to see them have a hard time in the Uefa Cup. It might help St Mirren when we come to play them.
Stuart Gillespie www.stmirrenfc.net
KILMARNOCKUP UNTIL this season, the order of the day when we played Inverness used to be high-scoring draws…but this term it seems to be either gub or get gubbed, and it was our turn to get gubbed.
It is a bit worrying that with the large squad we currently have – and accepting that four players have bowed out early for operations – there does not seem to be enough quality left to put on a decent display in the Highlands.
Some of these guys are playing for contracts and if they do not produce the goods in the last few games then I'd imagine Jim Jefferies will allow them to pursue their career away from the Theatre of Pies.
One big miss on Saturday was Moroccan midfielder Mehdi Taouil, who had a thigh strain. The wee man has provided some good old-fashioned entertainment this season with his overall skill on the ball. Players like him are the reason that fans can still enjoy watching games. Hopefully JJ will manage to persuade him to stay just a little bit longer.
Barry Richmond www.killiefc.com
FALKIRKSATURDAY'S goalless draw with Gretna was our 15th shutout in 34 league games, second only to Celtic.
But at the other end, Bairns' fans have seen the net bulge a mere six times since the turn of the year. Our main strikers of late have been awful – the side has created chance after chance and dominated games with some lovely football, but no end result.
Pedro Moutinho last netted on 8 December, and Graham Barrett a week later. The remaining strikers, Finnigan and Clarke have found the net only three times this year, so, just back from long-term injury, Michael Higdon, after missing a third of the season, remains leading scorer with his eight goals to date.
Maybe now is the time to blood youngsters like Mark Stewart, who has proved at every level that he has played he has a keen eye for goal. John Hughes has served up some of the finest football Falkirk fans have seen in a generation, but the goalscoring problem must be resolved or much great work will be undone.
Brian Guthrie www.bairnstrust.com
DUNDEE UNITEDRECEIVED wisdom suggested Sunday's encounter with Hibs might produce yet another draw between our clubs this season, which is exactly what happened. There was some end-to-end stuff with a lot of good counter-attacking football. Shiels took his goal well but, thanks to some woeful/clumsy defending from Gathuessi, Noel Hunt fired home the resultant penalty to make it a short-lived lead.
United were the more disappointed come the final whistle as our remaining games, with the exception of the last one against Celtic, are away from home, so this weekend's showdown with Motherwell becomes even more of a 'must-win' than it was previously.
One disappointment was seeing Christian Kalvanes limp off after an unnecessary stamp from Gathuessi. If he leaves Tannadice, Kalvenes' tenacity, ability, work-rate and presence will be sorely missed. A defender with the emphasis on 'defend' rather than some of the 'ers' we have had in recent years.
Hamish Mackintoshwww.utdmad.co.uk
MOTHERWELLFOR the umpteenth time this season, we had no game on Saturday but Motherwell fans were still able to focus their attention on an important match in Lanarkshire. Hamilton defeating Clyde at New Douglas Park ensured we will have league derbies to look forward to for the first time in several years next season and that can only be a good thing. While Airdrie United may be our main local rivals, there was also an edge to Hamilton games and they will be eager to prove what they can do.
Some fans might not be fussed about meeting the team from over the river, but it is surely more interesting than yet another trip to Dundee. Everyone should acknowledge Hamilton's achievement. They have fought their way back to the top flight from the Third Division having secured the future of the club on the way. Accies are a true footballing fairytale, unlike a certain side from southern Scotland who are 'enjoying' an ill-advised sojourn in the SPL this season.
Derek Wilson www.firparkcorner.com
HEARTSWITH nothing to play for apart from seventh place, we appeared to be a more relaxed outfit on Saturday as we took some kind of revenge on Kilmarnock. This second win in row was quite emphatic as we put three in the back of the net without reply. Some nice free-flowing football was on display, which gave the impression that the players had no concerns for what is happening behind the scenes.
Romanian Marius Niculae, who could be away in the summer, put in a fine shift and scored a cracker towards the end, and did himself a big favour in his quest for a place in his country's squad for Euro 2008.
But there were others in the team that didn't do so well, suggesting that they could be away in the close season. Hopefully, the manager will have a short-list of players to bring in should he choose to offload some of our veterans.
Despite us not conceding on Saturday, most fans will agree that our defence must take priority in any dealings in the transfer market.
Dave 'Gringo' Wilson
www.caleythistleonline.comHEARTSWE WERE treated to a reasonably entertaining game at Tynecastle on Saturday with some spectacular shooting for three of the five goals. Gary Glen looked very promising and his mobility caused problems for the St Mirren defence, while Jason Thomson had a very steady game at right-back.
On the non-playing side, the AGM on Friday got a fair bit of negative press, and communication from the directors is still very much a problem, although Sergejus Fedotovas did clear up a few points on the Hearts website after the meeting.
I believe plans are going very well for Robbie Neilson's testimonial match on 11 May with almost all of the 1998 Scottish Cup-winning side likely to attend. Hearts had a run of testimonials a few years back, but it has taken a while for another player to reach the ten-year mark. I think Robbie's testimonial could be the last at Tynecastle for a while and bringing the Cup winners back could prove popular.
Derek Watsonwww.homst.com
GRETNATHE uncertainty off the field continues but on it, Gretna have put in some respectable performances recently and recorded their first (and probably last) consecutive clean sheets. St Mirren and Falkirk were the two teams who were frustrated by Mick Wadsworth's young yet hungry team.
The games weren't the greatest of spectacles. The St Mirren game was fairly dire whilst at Falkirk, Gretna were always solid and committed in their defending, yet offered little going forward. The fight to restore pride hasn't been helped by the loss of skipper Paul Murray to a broken rib. He is likely to be out for the remainder of the season, and as a result his last game for us may well have passed.
Gavin Skelton is also rumoured to be a target of Kilmarnock and St Mirren. Skelton has seen it all at Raydale Park; from broke Unibond League strugglers to First Division champions, Uefa cup entrants and Scottish Cup finalists.
As for the next chapter in our history, who knows?
Scott Leslie www.gretna-mad.co.uk
CELTICTWO games, three goals, six points and moans all round. Sure, Saturday was flat, but compared to the high on Wednesday it's not surprising there was a reaction against Aberdeen. Despite carping from Zander Diamond, for once we got a lucky break from a referee, even if Iain Brines appears arrogant when dealing with players.
Paul Caddis was a pleasure to behold with unbounded energy and enthusiasm and has a big career ahead of him at Celtic Park.
Shunsuke Nakamura's goal against Rangers was superb and he would have had another but for the handball by Carlos Cuellar. Maybe we should follow rugby and award the goal in those situations rather than reward cheating with a second chance?
The actions of one coin-throwing moron on Wednesday allowed the focus to be diverted from a great performance.
Let's hope the headlines on Monday are about another superb performance from Celtic and keeping the league alive.
Tommy Dornan www.celticsupporterassoc.co.uk
RANGERSA LOT to get through this week. Firstly, well done to Celtic last week. Let's hope they show as much determination to find the missile throwers as they did to win the game. I won't hold my breath though.
Secondly, the performance against St Johnstone was abject, but at least we have another Hampden trip to look forward to next month.
Thirdly, roll on tomorrow. European semi-finals do not come often, and this will be a night to treasure – hopefully.
Fourthly, can we have a strong referee on Sunday? After Hartley and Robson stayed on the pitch last week and referee Iain Brines invented a reason to disallow Aberdeen's goal on Saturday, it's clear our referees have responded to intimidation.
And lastly – the PFA Player of the Year Awards. What a joke that a team going for four trophies wasn't recognised.
I think I speak for all Rangers fans when I say how proud we are of how we have done this season, no matter what happens this week.
David Edgar www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk
ABERDEENTHERE is still a chance we could get back into Europe, but it appears even the club have written off our season. Last week, half the squad were released, Nicholson is going, with Miller expected to join him, and McNamara announced his departure. He won't be missed, but his version of events leading up to his exit confirms our worst fears and concerns regarding Calderwood's tactical and man-management skills.
But the most baffling departures are the release of youngsters like Ryan Strachan and Neil McVitie.
Alas we're lumbered with Calderwood and co for the foreseeable and have no option but to trust his judgment in rebuilding the side. But would it be too much to ask that our manager looks further afield than his usual sources of Dunfermline and the Dutch Amateur Leagues?
The way things have started, many Reds believe the 'summer clearout' should begin in the manager's office, taking in our director of football, which doesn't bode well for season-ticket renewals.
Mark Alexander www.aberdeen-mad.co.uk
The full article contains 2133 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
