The 2013/14 SPFL Thread

by Kay Fabe Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:30 am

Don't know how many fans of Scottish Football are on here but thought I'd create a thread to keep it updated throughout the Season to keep anyone interested in the loop.

With rebranding of our game this is a thread to post or ask about certain teams results from the Scottish Premiership, Championship or League 1 & 2

I'm really looking forward to this season, with Play-Offs introduced between the Premiership and the Championship it really opens up competition at both the bottom of the Premiership and from mid table upward in thr Championship.

News that 7 of the 12 Premiership clubs have already posted higher season book sales than last season is encouraging, 3 clubs remain at the same level and only 2 have reported a deficit, one of those clubs is Dundee Utd who are at similar levels of an average top flight season, their season tickets spiked last year due to the return of the Tayside Derby

I think its safe to say Celtic will win the Premiership but I think the race for 2nd could be very interesting, I expect 3/4 clubs to be genuine contenders for that, the relegation battle will also be very interesting this year, Hearts thanks to Adminstration will start on -15 so they're favourites for the drop, especially considering how depleted their squad is but with the Relegation Play-Off spot introduced this season 2nd 3rd and possibly 4th bottom teams wont be entirely safe and Hearts despite being depleted still have a very decent core 13/14 players who if they stay fit could climb the league.

Similarly the Championship will be intriguing this year, Dundee have to be favourites, they've made some good signings, Morton lost their best player from last season in Tidser but with the Play-Offs now introduced they'll feel a top 4 finish is the least they'll aim for, Falkirk have a really talented group of boys but having sold Lyle Taylor to Sheffield Utd for £250k they'll need a goalscorer if they want to be contenders, I really like Livingstone, great little club, lovely stadium, excellent playing surface too, have brought through some very decent players in recent seasons, got some cracking boys there at the moment, finally Alloa for me will be worth the watching, Paul Hartley went there 2 years ago and they won the 3rd Division, last season they won the 2nd Division Play-Offs...Hartley has built a solid team that likes playing attack minded direct football, it'd be a major shock if Hartley leads Alloa to the Premiership but I'd not be overly shocked to see him lead his team to the Play-Offs.

Top Goalscorers

32 - Kris Commons
27 - Stevie May
22 - Billy McKay; John Sutton; Kris Boyd
21 - Anthony Stokes
20 - Leigh Griffiths (13 for Wolves)
17 - Nadir Ciftći
16 - Steven Thompson; Adam Rooney (7 for Swindon)
14 - Niall McGinn
11 - Stuart Armstrong; Kris Doolan; Lionel Ainsworth; Calum Paterson; Georgios Samaras
10 - Steven MacLean; Gary MacKay-Steven
9 - Liam Craig; Henri Anier, Jamie Hamill; Scott Vernon; Melvin De Leuuw
8 - Ryan Gauld; Aaron Doran; Ryan Stevenson; Richard Brittain; Kallum Higgingbotham
7 - Peter Pawlett; Kenny McLean; Brian Graham; Teemu Pukki; Lyle Taylor
6 - James Forrest; Charlie Mulgrew; Nigel Hasselbaink; Filip Kiss; James Collins
5 - Andrew Robertson; Steven Lawless; Johnny Hayes; Virgil Van Dijk; Dale Carrick

Attendances

Every week I'll post the combined attendances for SPFL matches and we can see if there is a spike or decrease at certain times of the season

Week 1 - 85,300 (SPFL Premiership matches only)
Week 2 - 95,204 (minus Celtic who weren't playing SPFL fixture this weekend)
Week 3 - 100,479 (Celtic & Rangers both playing away)
Week 4 - 101,966
Week 5 - 104,712
Week 6 - 93,530
Week 7 - 98,614
Week 8 - 95,595
Week 9 - 99,083 (no SPFL League 2 games)
Week 10 - 62,177 (Celtic & Rangers both played away)
Week 11 - 56,051
Week 12 - 81,319 (SPFL Premiership matches only)
Week 13 - 99,340
Week 14 - 98,408 (SPFL Premiership 80,307)
Week 15 - 95,646
Week 16 - 77,953 (SPFL Premiership only)
Week 17 - 44,262 (SPFL Premiership only) Boxing Day
Week 18 - 70,428 (Celtic Rangers & Hearts all away from home)
Week 19 - 114,623 (SPFL Premiership 98,773 - Season highest) New Year Fixtures
Week 20 - 34,781 (5 SPFL Premiership matches - Celtic/Aberdeen/Hibs all away)
Week 21 - 94,761 (minus Celtic home game for winter shutdown)
Week 22 - 92,470 (SPFL Premiership 80,216 )
Week 23 - 81,215 + 56,693 (137,808 including two Celtic fixtures)
Week 24 - 137,381 SPFL & 2 League Cup Semi Finals
Week 25 - 92,124
Week 26 - 37,227
Week 27 - 103,983
Week 28 - 62,542
Week 29 - 126,694 (SPFL & League Cup Final) * Season 2nd Highest
Week 30 - 101,250 (SPFL Premiership 84,739)
Week 31 - 36,170 (SPFL Premiership only)
Week 32 - 109,515 (SPFL Premiership 91,313)
Week 33 - 37,091 (SPFL Premiership only)
Week 34 - 57,377 (SPFL Premiership 39,999)
Week 35 - 147,708 (SPFL Premiership 86,276) * Season Highest
Week 36 - 120,629 (SPFL Premiership 86,907)
Week 37 - 46,938 (SPFL Premiership 40,603)
Week 38 - 110,110 (SPFL Premiership 98,295)

by Kay Fabe Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:32 am

Premiership Fixtures Week 1

Friday 2nd August
Partick Thistle vs Dundee Utd - KO 7:45pm Live on BT Sport

Saturday 3rd August
Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock
Inverness CT vs St Mirren
Celtic vs Ross County - K.O 5:15pm Live on Sky Sports

Sunday 4th August
Hibernian vs Motherwell - K.O 1:15pm Live on Sky Sports
St Johnstone vs Hearts

by RinoGattuso Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:25 pm

Will there be new trophies?

by Kay Fabe Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:05 am

Dont think there will be new trophies Rino...been on loads of different forums and trailed through plenty of sites but cant find anything

by Kay Fabe Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:08 am

Think its a bit ridiculous that Championship clubs are now required to register squad numbers for players...while money is tight I think its moronic that every Championship club now has to have at least 2 home and 2 away tops for each individual player instead of the usual 1-16 tops they had previously, seems such an unnecessary expense

by RinoGattuso Thu Aug 01, 2013 4:47 pm

SFA fines to clubs for going into administration:

Motherwell (2002): No fine
Gretna (2008): No fine
Dunfermline (2013): No fine
Hearts (2013): No fine

Rangers (2012): £50,000

Our governing body is a complete shambles.

by Kay Fabe Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:48 pm

I've never understood the logic in fining clubs for having no money, just to becomeeyet another creditor, I think the SFA learned a lot from last year, im delighted Hearts and Dunfermline didn't get find, I've got absolutely no desire to see clubs go to the Wall

We can't twist things though, the SFA fined Rangers not for entering Administration but for a delibrate non payment of Tax over the course of 8/9 months

by RinoGattuso Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:16 pm

That was on top of the fine for entering administration.

by The Galveston Giant Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:30 pm

St Johnstone vs Hearts Live BBC Alba

by Ayrshirebhoy Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:05 pm

What a result for st Johnstone! Nice to see a non old firm team pulling their weight in Europe. Would love to see them make the Europa league.

by The Special Juan Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:18 pm

I think St Johnstone are doing a wonderful job in the EL. Is there another prelim round after this or do they go into the group stages?

by Kay Fabe Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:44 pm

The Galveston Giant wrote:St Johnstone vs Hearts Live BBC Alba

Is that right? I thought it was only moved to Sunday because St Johnstone beat Rosenborf last week, infact I think the full match will be shown on Alba but its not live

by Kay Fabe Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:49 pm

Unbelievable result again for St Johnstone, two away wins on the bounce, anyone would be delighted with that, fingers crossed they can get through the next next leg, they've been excellent in their 3 games.

Tough luck for Motherwell, club they got are of a far higher standard than them, finishing 2nd they'd have hoped for a better draw.

by Kay Fabe Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:58 pm

Aberdeen Squad

1. Jamie Langfield
2. Joe Shaughnessy
3. Clark Robertson
4. Russell Anderson (captain)
5. Andrew Considine (vice-captain)
6. Mark Reynolds
7.Calvin Zola
8.Willo Flood
9. Scott Vernon
10. Niall McGinn
11.Jonny Hayes
14. Cammy Smith
15. Barry Robson
16. Peter Pawlett
18. Nicky Low
19. Chris Clark
20. Nicky Weaver
21. Josh Magennis
22. Ryan Jack
24. Declan McManus
26. Craig Storie
28. Alan Tait
30. Danny Rogers
35. Craig Murray

Average attendance for 2012/13: 9,610

Average non Celtic attendance for 2012/12: 9,142,

Home League Attendance for 2013/14:
Kilmarnock - 13,149
Celtic - 20,017 * Biggest Attendance
St Johnstone - 9,478
Inverness C.T - 11,678
Dundee Utd - 12,654
Motherwell - 12,494
Ross County - 11,602
Partick Thistle - 10,057
Hearts - 13,940
St Mirren - 9,332
Hibernian - 12,734
Inverness C.T - 12,021
Celtic - 16,634
St Johnstone - 11,487
Kilmarnock - 17,029
Dundee Utd - 14,678
St Johnstone - 10,003
Motherwell - 17,016 - * Biggest Non Celtic Attendance

Total: 236,003
Average Attendance for 2013/14: 13,111
Average Non Celtic Attendance for 2013/14: 12,460

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 12:07 am

Dundee Utd

1. Radosław Cierzniak
2. Seán Dillon (captain)
4. Calum Butcher
5. Gavin Gunning
6. Paul Paton
8. John Rankin
9. Brian Graham
10. Stuart Armstrong
11. Gary Mackay-Steven
12. Keith Watson
16. Mark Wilson
17. Chris Erskine
18. Ryan Dow
19. Ryan Gauld
20. John Souttar
21. Nadir Çiftçi
25. Marc McCallum
26. Andrew Robertson
27. Morgaro Gomis
28. Kudus Oyenuga
29. Farid El Alagui
31. Phil Anderson
32. Joe McGovern
39. Aiden Connolly

Average attendance for 2012/13: 7,547

Average Non Dundee/Celtic attendance for 2012/13: 6,659

Home Attendances for 2013/14:

Inverness C.T - 6,664
St Johnstone - 6,992
Celtic - 10,586
Motherwell - 5,808
Kilmarnock - 5,850
St Mirren - 6,331
Partick Thistle - 6,700
Hearts - 7,808
Ross County - 8,029
Aberdeen - 12,601 * Biggest Attendance
Hibernian - 7,862
Kilmarnock - 6,038
Motherwell - 7,029
St Johnstone - 6,720
St Mirren - 6,524
Inverness C.T - 6,750
Celtic - 11,033
Motherwell - 6,383
Aberdeen - 8,677

Total: 144,391
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 7,600
Average Non Celtic Attendance for 2013/14 - 7,222

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 12:14 am

Hibernian

1. Ben Williams (vice-captain)
2. Tim Clancy
3. Ryan McGivern
4. Paul Hanlon
5. Michael Nelson
6. James McPake (captain)
7. Alex Harris
8. Scott Robertson
9. Rowan Vine
10. Liam Craig
11. Paul Cairney
14. James Collins
16. Lewis Stevenson
17. Owain Tudur Jones
19. Danny Handling
20. Tom Taiwo
21. Sean Murdoch
22. Fraser Mullen
23. Jordon Forster
24. Paul Heffernan
26. Sam Stanton
29. Ross Caldwell
30. David Gold
34. Dean Horribine
36. Bradley Donaldson
38. Kevin Thomson

Hibernian's average attendance in 2012/13: 10,489

Non Hearts/Celtic average attendance in 2012/13: 10,306

Home Attendances for 2013/14:
Motherwell - 9,237
Dundee Utd - 9,171
Ross County - 9,569
St Mirren - 9,417
Celtic - 14,220
Aberdeen - 12,810
Inverness C.T - 8,750
Partick Thistle - 10,431
St Johnstone - 8,776
Kilmarnock - 9,683
Hearts - 20,106 * Biggest Attendance
St Mirren - 9,610
Celtic - 12,542
Ross County - 8,411
Dundee Utd - 9,608
Motherwell - 8,277
Aberdeen - 9,321
Hearts - 14,806
Partick Thistle - 10,740
Kilmarnock - 15,057

Total: 220,542
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 11,027
Average Non Hearts/Celtic Attendance for 2013/14 - 9,929

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 12:22 am

Hearts

1. Jamie MacDonald
2. Jamie Hamill
3. Kevin McHattie
4. Danny Wilson
5. Dylan McGowan
7. Ryan Stevenson
8. Scott Robinson
12. Callum Paterson
13. Mark Ridgers
14. Jamie Walker
15. Jason Holt
16. Brad McKay
17. David Smith
18. Dale Carrick
19. Billy King
20. Callum Tapping
21. Jack Hamilton
26. Adam King
28. Sam Nicholson
30. Jordan McGhee
50. Alan Combe

Hearts Average Attendance for 2012/13: 13,161
Non Hibs/Celtic Average Attendance for 2012/13: 12,611

Home Attendance for 2013/14:
Hibernian - 16,621
Aberdeen - 15,218
Celtic - 15,982
Dundee Utd - 13,970
St Mirren - 14,769
St Johnstone - 13,175
ICT - 11,950
Ross County - 12,508
Kilmarnock - 13,684
Partick Thistle - 13,763
Motherwell - 12,888
St Mirren - 12,422
Celtic - 15,801
Dundee Utd - 13,448
Hibernian - 16,873 * Biggest Attendance
Aberdeen - 13,913
Ross County - 13,692
Kilmarnock - 13,656
Partick Thistle - 14,059

Total: 268,392
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 14,126
Average Non Hibs/Celtic Attendance for 2013/14 - 13,541

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:40 am

Inverness Caley Thistle

1. Ryan Esson
2. David Raven
3. Graeme Shinnie
4. James Vincent
5. Gary Warren
6. Josh Meekings
7. Billy McKay
8. Ross Draper
9. Richie Foran (club captain)
10. Aaron Doran
11. Nick Ross
12. Dean Brill (on loan from Luton Town)
14. Daniel Devine
15. Marley Watkins
16. Curtis Allen
17. Ben Greenhalgh
18. Carl Tremarco
19. Danny Williams
20. Liam Polworth
21. Conor Pepper
22. Matthew Cooper
--. Torbjørn Agdestein

Average Attendance for season 2012/13: 4,038

Average Non Ross County/Celtic Attendance for 2012/13: 3,462

Home Attendance for 2013/14:
St Mirren - 3,215
Motherwell - 3,031
Hearts - 4,034
Hibernian - 4,261
Partick Thistle - 3,514
Kilmarnock - 2,948
St Johnstone - 3,255
Aberdeen - 4,810 * Biggest Non Celtic Attendance
Celtic - 6,384 * Biggest Attendance
Ross County - 4,223
Dundee Utd - 2,980
Hearts - 3,392
Hibernian - 2,537
Partick Thistle - 3,093
St Mirren - 3,032
Motherwell - 2,366
Aberdeen - 4,224
Dundee Utd - 3,428
St Johnstone - 3,121

TOTAL - 67,848
Average for the Season: 3,571
Average Non Ross County/Celtic Attendance: 3,864

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:49 am

Kilmarnock

Conor Brennan
Antonio Reguero
Craig Samson
Lee Ashcroft
Ross Barbour
Darren Barr
Rory McKeown
Mark O'Hara
Jeroen Tesselaar
Sammy Clingan
Ross Davidson
Gary Fisher
James Fowler
Reuben Gabriel
Rabiu Ibrahim
Manuel Pascali
Craig Slater
Jude Winchester
Kris Boyd
Micheal Gardyne
Chris Johnston
Greg Kiltie
Rory McKenzie
Robbie Muirhead
Borja Pérez

Average Attendance for 2012/13: 4,646

Average non Celtic Attendance for 2012/13: 4,543

Home Attendance for 2013/14:
St Johnstone - 3,550
Hibernian - 3,807
Inverness C.T - 3,063
Celtic - 6,149
Ross County - 3,582
Hearts - 5,090
Motherwell - 3,704
Dundee Utd - 3,452
Partick Thistle - 3,865
St Mirren 5,410 * Biggest Non Celtic Attendance
Aberdeen - 4,073
Inverness C.T - 3,035
Ross County - 3,372
Hibernian - 4,031
Hearts - 3,510
Celtic - 7,495 * Biggest Attendance
St Johnstone - 3,665
Partick Thistle - 4,980
St Mirren - 4,911

Total: 80,744
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 4,250
Average Non Celtic for 2013/14 - 3,947

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:54 am

Motherwell

1. Lee Hollis
3. Steven Hammell
4. Simon Ramsden
5. Shaun Hutchinson
6. Stephen McManus
7. James McFadden
8. Paul Lawson
9. John Sutton
11. Iain Vigurs
12. Gunnar Nielsen
14. Keith Lasley (Captain)
15. Adam Cummins
16. Robert McHugh
17. Zaine Francis-Angol
18. Stuart Carswell
19. Lee Erwin
20. Fraser Kerr
21. Ross Stewart
22. Craig Moore
23. Euan Murray
24. Henri Anier (on loan from Viking)

Average Attendance for season 2012/13: 5,362

Average non Celtic Attendance for season 2012/13: 4,702

Home Attendance for 2013/14
Aberdeen - 6,242 * Biggest Non Celtic Attendance
Partick Thistle - 5,527
Kilmarnock - 4,353
Ross County - 4,263
Hearts - 5,350
Hibernian - 3,864
Dundee Utd - 5,103
Celtic - 9,117 * Biggest Attendance
St Mirren - 3,867
St Johnstone - 3,763
Aberdeen - 5,756
Partick Thistle - 5,048
Hearts - 4,914
Inverness C.T - 3,432
Ross County - 4,080
Kilmarnock - 4,467
Celtic - 7,493
St Johnstone - 7,201
Inverness C.T - 4,482

Total: 98,322
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 5,175
Average Non Celtic Attendance for 2013/14 - 4,807

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:00 am

Partick Thistle

1. Scott Fox
2. Stephen O'Donnell
3. Aaron Sinclair
4. Sean Welsh
5. Aaron Muirhead
6. Conrad Balatoni
7. James Craigen
8. Stuart Bannigan
9. Kris Doolan
10. Ross Forbes
11. Steven Lawless
12. Paul Gallacher
13. Gabriel
14. Christie Elliot
15. Hugh Murray
16. Jordan McMillan
17. John Baird
19. Isaac Osbourne
20. Mark Kerr
21. Henoc Mukendi (on loan from Liverpool)
22. Gary Fraser (on loan from Bolton Wanderers)
23. Simon Colina Domínguez

Average Attendance in 2012/13 (in SFL1): 3,613

Home Attendance in 2013/14:
Dundee Utd - 7,822 * Biggest Non Celtic Attendance
Hearts - 6,540
Aberdeen - 6,193
Kilmarnock - 4,310
Hibernian - 4,521
Celtic - 7,978 * Biggest Attendance
St Mirren - 4,906
Inverness C.T - 2,887
Motherwell - 4,588
Ross County - 3,539
Kilmarnock - 4,092
St Johnstone - 2,719
Dundee Utd - 3,748
Aberdeen - 4,554
Hibernian - 4,448
Celtic - 7,549
Hearts - 4,262
St Mirren - 5,971
Ross County - 4,390

Total: 95,017
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 5,001
Average Non Celtic Attendance for 2013/14 - 4,676

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:04 am

Ross County

1. Michael Fraser
2. Mihael Kovačević
3. Ben Gordon
4. Stuart Kettlewell
5. Scott Boyd
6. Branislav Mićić
7. Ivan Sproule
8. Richard Brittain
10. Rocco Quinn
11. Melvin de Leeuw
12. Grant Munro
14. Darren Maatsen
17. Alex Cooper
18. Marc Klok
19. Kevin Luckassen
20. Gary Glen
21. Brian McLean
22. Steven Saunders
23. Graham Carey
24. Steven Ross
25. Mark Brown
26. Tony Dingwall

Average Attendance for season 2012/13: 4,429

Average non ICT/Celtic Attendance for season 2012/13: 3,870

Home Attendance for 2013/14:
Partick Thistle - 3,331
St Mirren - 3,142
Dundee Utd - 3,005
Hearts - 4,059
Aberdeen - 5,290 * Biggest Non Celtic Attendance
Celtic - 5,982 * Biggest Attendance
Kilmarnock - 2,937
Motherwell - 2,792
Hibernian - 3,383
Dundee Utd - 3,395
St Johnstone - 3,609
Hearts - 4,016
St Mirren - 3,394
Inverness C.T - 4,805
Partick Thistle - 3,441
Aberdeen - 3,775
Inverness C.T - 4,433
Kilmarnock - 3,401
Hibernian - 3,850

Total: 72,040
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 3,792
Average Non Celtic/Inverness C.T Attendance for 2013/14 - 3,551

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:10 am

St Johnstone

1. Alan Mannus
2. Dave Mackay (captain)
3. Tam Scobbie
4. Patrick Cregg
5. Frazer Wright
6. Steven Anderson
7. Chris Millar
8. Gary McDonald
9. Steven MacLean
10. David Wotherspoon
11. Nigel Hasselbaink
12. David Robertson
14. Gwion Edwards (on loan from Swansea City)
15. Steve Banks
16. Liam Caddis
17. Stevie May
18. Murray Davidson
19. Gary Miller
21. Callum Davidson
24. Brian Easton
27. Rory Fallon
30. Zander Clark
31. Dylan Easton
41. Chris Kane
--. Scott Brown

Average Attendance for 2012/13: 3,712

Average non Celtic Attendance for 2012/13: 3,440

Home Attendance for 2013/14:
Hearts - 6,174
Ross County - 2,833
Hibernian - 4,049
Partick Thistle - 3,248
Inverness C.T - 3,020
Motherwell - 2,449
Kilmarnock - 2,855
Aberdeen - 4,741
Celtic - 7,034
Dundee Utd - 7,231 * Biggest Attendance
St Mirren - 2,329
Hearts - 3,395
Inverness C.T - 2,415
Motherwell - 1,892
Ross County - 2,213
Hibernian - 3,553
Partick Thistle - 2,999
Dundee Utd - 5,223
Celtic - 4,624

Total: 72,295
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 3,805
Average Non Celtic Attendance - 3,567

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:19 am

St Mirren

2. David van Zanten
4. Darren McGregor
5. Lee Mair
6. Jim Goodwin (captain)
7. John McGinn
9. Steven Thompson (vice-captain)
10. Paul McGowan
11. Kenny McLean
12. Adam Campbell
14. Marc McAusland
17. Thomas Reilly
18. Sean Kelly
21. Gary Teale
22. Jason Naismith
23. David Barron
25. Mo Yaqub
26. Anthony Brady
28. Marion Kello
29. Kieran Hughes
30. Christopher Dilo
39. Gregg Wylde

Average Attendance for 2012/13: 4,389

Average non Celtic Attendance for 2012/13: 4,195

Home Attendance for 2013/14:
Kilmarnock - 4,625
Partick Thistle - 5,601
Motherwell - 4,012
Aberdeen - 4,051
St Johnstone - 3,739
Ross County - 3,889
Hibernian - 4,451
Inverness C.T - 3,305
Dundee Utd - 4,780
Hearts - 4,568
Celtic - 5,778
Partick Thistle - 4,660
Aberdeen - 4,073
Kilmarnock - 4,650
St Johnstone - 2,817
Motherwell - 4,377
Hibernian - 5,287
Ross County - 4,414
Hearts - 6,311 - Biggest Attendance

Total: 85,388
Average Attendance for 2013/14 - 4,494
Average Non Celtic Attendance for 2013/14 - 4,423

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:53 am

Predictions

Scottish Premiership Champions - Celtic
Scottish Premiership Runners Up - Aberdeen
Scottish Premiership Relegated - Kilmarnock
Scottish Premiership Play-Offs - Hearts

Scottish Championship Winners - Dundee
Scottish Championship Promotion Play-Offs - Morton, Livingston, Alloa
Scottish Championship Relegated - Cowdenbeath
Scottish Championship Relegation Play-Offs Queen of the South

Scottish League 1 Winners - Rangers
Scottish League 1 Promotion Play-Offs - Stranraer, East Fife, Dunfermline
Scottish League 1 Relegated - Airdrieonians
Scottish League 1 Relegation Play-Offs Stenhousemuir

Scottish League 2 Winners - Peterhead
Scottish League 2 Promotion Play-Offs - Queens Park, Elgin, Annan

Top Goalscorer - Anthony Stokes
Player of the Year - Kris Commons

by The Special Juan Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:54 am

SPL Champions - Guess
SPL Runners-Up - Motherwell
SPL Relegated - Hearts
SPL Play-off - Hibs

I predict a very, very bad year for Edinburgh. Hearts have no players and a 15 point deduction so they'll be very lucky to escape the drop. Hibs are just so bad it's hard to see them finishing outside the bottom 3 so I reckon it's between them and Thistle for the play-off spot. Dundee Utd aren't safe either, especially if Goodwillie doesn't start scoring.

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 2:08 pm

I actually think Hibs will finish top 6 this season, hardly an achievement given there is no Rangers and Hearts are on the verge but I actually do think they have a decent squad for the Premiership

They have a good keeper, McPake is decent too if he gets fully fit, I think Michael Nelson will add a bit of stability to their defence and with McGivern and Mullen at full back they have two very decent full backs with potential

In midfield they signed Ross County's beat player last season in Owen Tuder-Jones and two of St Johnstones 3 best players in Rowan Vine and Liam Craig, add Kevin Thomson to that and young Alex Harris who is a huge prospect and guys like Paul Cairney who was a star in SFL1 and has his first top flight season behind hin and Scott Robertson I think Hibs have plenty of options.

Up front Vine is a far better player than Doyle who went to Chesterfield, they also spent £200,000 on James Collins, this lad is the replacement for Leigh Griffiths, big boots to fill after how well Griffiths was last season but he scored 18 goals in 29 starts last season including a hat trick in the cup vs Stoke

I just don't think its all doom and gloom at Easter Road despite that shambolic result against Malmo

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 02, 2013 10:00 pm

Partick Thistle 0-0 Dundee Utd

Did anyone watch this? Excellent game of football, Thistle were the bettet team, they'll probably surprise a few people this year, very comfortable on the ball and their left back Taylor-Sinclair looks a cracking player, they showed a real composure on the ball.

I'd say Dundee Utd probably had the better chances, MacKay-Steven coming on made a huge difference but I think they need more help up top for David Goodwillie, still 4 weeks of the window to go tho.

by Kay Fabe Tue Aug 06, 2013 1:38 pm

Week 1 Results

Aberdeen 2-1 Kilmarnock (Hayes, Flood - Boyd)
Att: 13,149

Celtic 2-1 Ross County (Stokes 2 - Maatsen)
Att: 45,705

Hibernian 0-1 Motherwell (Anier)
Att: 9,237

Inverness C.T 3-0 St Mirren (Vincent, Doran, McKay )
Att: 3,215

Partick Thistle 0-0 Dundee United
Att: 7,822

St Johnstone 1-0 Hearts (May)
Att: 6,172

SPFL Premiership Power Player of the Week was Anthony Stokes

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:16 pm

Premiership Fixtures Week 2

Saturday 10th August
Dundee Utd vs Inverness C.T
Ross County vs Partick Thistle

Sunday 11th August
Hearts vs Hibs - K.O 1:15 Live on Sky Sports
Kilmarnock vs St Johnstone
Motherwell vs Aberdeen

*Celtic vs St Mirren was Postponed so Celtic could take part in a Friendly with Liverpool in Dublin

by The Special Juan Sun Aug 11, 2013 6:11 pm

Today's result has backed my suspicion that Fenlon will be the first manager out the door this season.

by Kay Fabe Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:05 pm

I think Hibs have got a squad capable of finishing second or at third but they'll never do it under Pat Fenlon, I want to see Hearts pick up as many early points as possible though, get it tight down at the bottom.

Thistle looked good

by Kay Fabe Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:35 pm

Week 2 Results

Dundee Utd 0-1 Inverness Caley Thistle - ( McKay )
Att: 6,664

Hearts 1-0 Hibernian - Paterson)
Att: 16,621

Kilmarnock 0-0 St Johnstone
Att: 3,550

Motherwell 1-3 Aberdeen ( Anier, McGinn 2, Rynolds)
Att: 6,242

Ross County 1-3 Partick Thistle - (Carey, Doolan, Lawless 2)
Att: 3,331

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:58 pm

Premiership Fixtures Week 3

Friday 16th August
Partick Thistle vs Hearts - K.O 7:45pm - Live BBC Alba

Saturday 17th August
Aberdeen vs Celtic - K.O 12:30pm - Live BT Sport 2HD
Hibernian vs Dundee Utd
Inverness C.T vs Motherwell
St Johnstone vs Ross County
St Mirren vs Kilmarnock

by Kay Fabe Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:25 am

Anyone catch this game tonight? Excellent viewing, Thistle dominated the first half and Heart I think were slightly the better side second half, on first viewing Partick's penalty looked a bit soft but Jamie Walker's equaliser was put standing, if there's a better strike this weekend in Britain then I can't wait to see it.

On reflection I think a draw is a fair result, good to see Hearts chipping away at this 15 point deduction, Ross County, Kilmarnock, Hibs & St Mirren will be hoping they can pick up some points ASAP before they get pulled into the sog fight.

Thistle will look at their start to the season and be gappy enough but they'll be thinking that its 4 points dropped at home so far

by Kay Fabe Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:02 pm

Week 3 Results

Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic (Commons, Forrest)
Att: 20,017

Hibernian 1-1 Dundee Utd (Robertson, Armstrong)
Att: 9,171

Inverness C.T 2-0 Motherwell (Foran, MacKay)
Att: 3,031

Partick Thistle 1-1 Hearts (Muirhead, Walker)
Att: 6,540

St Johnstone 4-0 Ross County (Hasselbaink, Wotherspoon, May, MacKay)
Att: 2,833

St Mirren 1-1 Kilmarnock (Harkins, Boyd)
Att: 4,625

by Kay Fabe Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:17 pm

Celtic obviously won the biggest match of the day, St Johnstone had the biggeat score of the day but Inverness were absolutely superb, the football they played was excellent and their second goal was sublime, Aaron Doran's through ball for their 2nd was top class

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:34 pm

Saturday 24th August
Celtic vs Inverness C.T
Dundee Utd vs St Johnstone
Hearts vs Aberdeen
Kilmarnock vs Hibernian
Motherwell vs Partick Thistle
Ross County vs St Mirren

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:53 pm

A few intriguing games on this weekend, I had high hopes for the Celtic/ICT game but due to that result in midweek I cant see Celtic risking many of their attacking players so I think it'll be much the same as last weeks game against Aberdeen.

Hearts vs Aberdeen has the potential to be a corker, with the start to the season for both teams and the fact Hearts are fighting for their lives im expecting a big crpwd for this 15k+...Aberdeen are the better more experienced side and have goals in the team but Hearts have some real gems amongst the younger players and there's a real team spirit in both camps, fancy a cup tie feel to this game

Kilmarnock vs Hibs is another game that springs to mind, both clubs will feel they should be in the top 6 but also many are tipping both to be in a relegation fight too so I think with Hibs with only 1 point so far and Kilmarnock with 2 points both clubs will feel this is a winnable game and I expect both clubs to go for it

Motherwell vs Thistle could be spicy, Motherwell haven't started the season yet, they've been the best of the rest for 3 years now but they've lost a lot of quality in the Summer, I dont think the guys they've brought in are as good as the guys they replaced, Thistle have been excellent so far and their attacking play has been surprising, I think they'll fancy their chances at Fir Park but Motherwell will probably see this as a must win

by Kay Fabe Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:36 am

Week 4 results

Celtic 2-2 Inverness C.T (Mulgrew, Matthews, Doran, Foran)
Att: 45,160

Hearts 2-1 Aberdeen (Walker, McGhee, McGinn)
Att: 15,218

Motherwell 1-0 Partick Thistle (Sutton)
Att: 5,527

Dundee Utd 4-0 St Johnstone (Watson, Goodwillie, MacKay-Steven, Armstrong)
Att: 6,992

Kilmarnock 1-2 Hibernian (Nicholson, Craig 2)
Att: 3,807

Ross County 3-0 St Mirren (Kettlewell, Brittain 2)
Att: 3,142

by Dr Gregory House MD Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:42 pm

I've been totally out of the loop so far this season, but what a result for United! especially given St Johnstone's recent form, I know it sounds stupid coming off a 4 goal win but I'm still worried about where the goals are coming from, I can see us relying a lot of Goodie and we can't keep looking to the midfield to score.

by Kay Fabe Wed Aug 28, 2013 4:15 pm

I liked the look of Ryan Gauld but hardly saw him this season, I do think Utd need another striker but I've heard good things about Nadir Çiftçi so maybe he'll come good, Pierre Van Hooijdonk brought him over on trial and was very complimentary about his potential, given that McNamara and Donnelly are still quite friendly with him I doubt he's just pulling a fast one.

One a different note I think Mark Wilson could be a brilliant signing

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:01 pm

House my timing on that post was prettt special, Ciftci scored 2 and Gauld got the other winning 3-2 in the Cup the other night.

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:10 pm

Week 5 Fixtures

Saturday 31st August
Dundee Utd vs Celtic - K.O 12:45pm Live on SKY Sports
Aberdeen vs St Johnstone
Hibernian vs Ross County
Inverness C.T vs Hearts
St Mirren vs Partick Thistle
Motherwell vs Kilmarnock - K.O 5:30pm Live on BT Sport

by Kay Fabe Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:37 pm

Looking forward to a few games tomorrow, I think Dundee Utd vs Celtic could bea cracker, lots of goals in these games last season, the Cup Semi was the game of the season in my opinion, Celtic have struggled in League games immediately after a big European night, add to that Utd have been very good in their last 3 games and scored 7 in their last 2 games, I fancy 4 or 5 goals in this between both teams

Aberdeen vs St Johnstone is intriguing, St Johnstone have continued from were they left off last season although they tanked Ross County 4-0 two weeks ago thwy got battered by that same score line last week of Dundee Utd, Derek McInnes' side is much fancied to finish 2nd this year but with Barry Robson and Willo Flood both out for a few weeks the strength isn't there just now, McGinn got 23 goals last season and while he scored 3 already this term, they've all been penalties, he has had chances though but maybe not as many, I think St Johnstone could just sneak this 2-1

Hibernian vs Ross County, County like Hibs got a much needed win laat week, both clubs have struggled for goals so far, Hibs for me have the best squad outside of Celtic, they should be doing more than they are, even though they won last week they weren't too convincing, this could really go either way? I'd like to see Hibs win it but could easily see County take this one, both teams arw too unreliable to call it

ICT vs Hearts, as far as the league is concerned both these clubs are the story so far, starting on minus 15 Hearts are favourites for the drop yet they've pulled back a lot of points already, ICT on the otherhand arw sitting top of thw pile after 4 weeks, scored plenty and conceded very few, showed they were worth thwir apot in their 2-2 draw at Celtic Park last weekend, Hearts have a few suspensions, and they can't afford that. they've battled tremendously well early doors but fancy ICT to win convincingly tomorrow 3-0

Motherwell vs Kilmarnock, Motherwell got a much needed win last week, Kilmarnock only have 2 points from 4 games and are definitely going ro be in a relegation battle this season in my opinion, they do have goals in the team with Boyd and Heffernan but their midfield and defence are poor, cant see past Motherwell for this 2-1

St Mirren vs Partick Thistle, another 2 clubs who'll be around the relegation battle this season, Thistle have looked good early doors, been quite pacey and attack minded and took the game to their opponents so far, history tells us the team that wins the old First Division has done well in the top flight in the first season, dont see why Thistle cant survive, St Mirren have been hopeless, only won 1 home game in 2013 and they've went 15 games without a win, lost a lot of their cup winning squad too, knocked out of the League Cup midweek on the first night of their defence of the trophy, the manager Danny Lennon is under severe pressure and is favourite for the sack, I think this one could be an entertaining 2-2

by Kay Fabe Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:48 am

Hibs have signed Paul Heffernan from Kilmarnock, brilliant signing in my opinion, 27 goals in 60 games in the League for a struggling Kilmarnock side

Kilmarnock have signed Dundee Utd attacking midfielder Michael Gardyne on loan

I'm hearing Dundee Utd might be signing Tony Watt on loan after the game today

by Kay Fabe Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:17 pm

Week 5 Results

Aberdeen 0-0 St Johnstone
Att: 9,478

Dundee Utd 0-1 Celtic (Stokes)
Att: 10,586

Hibs 0-0 Ross County
Att: 9,569

Inverness C.T 2-0 Hearts (MaxKay 2)
Att: 4,034

Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock (Anier, Sutton McManus OG)
Att: 4,353

St Mirren 1-2 Partick Thistle (McLean, Higginbotham, Forbes)
Att: 5,601

by Kay Fabe Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:37 am

Scottish Championship club Hamilton Accies are due 20% of Wigans transfer fee for James McCarthy, Wigan are reporting that its closer to £15m so Hamilton will be due near £3m which is amazing business, that means the whole deal for James will have got Hamilton around £4.75m which is richly deserved considering they played him since he was 15

by Kay Fabe Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:25 am

Week 6 Fixtures

Saturday 14th September
Hearts vs Celtic - K.O 12:30pm Live on BT Sport 2
Kilmarnock vs Inverness C.T
Partick Thistle vs Aberdeen
St Johnstone vs Hibernian
St Mirren vs Motherwell

Sunday 15th September
Ross County vs Dundee United - K.O 12:45pm Live on Sky Sports

by Kay Fabe Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:03 pm

Look ahead to this weeks fixtures.

Hearts vs Celtic at Tyncastle is always worth a watch, usually incident packed lately though Celtic have had some pretty convincing wins at least once a seaaon at Tyncastle, there has been a couple of 4-0 scorelines and a 3-0 in the last 5 matches, Hearts have also had a couple of 2-0 wins in the last 5 games vs Celtic. With the absence of Rangers the Hearts games in the eyes of the fans have became their tastieat fixture, players are usually pumped up for this too, Hearts have started the season brilliantly and the atmosphere should be white hot, I fully expect over the course of the season Hearts to get out of the automatic relegation spot but feel they just wont have enough for a strong Celtic. Going for Hearts 0-2 Celtic on Saturday

Kilmarnock vs ICT could be interesting, Killie really do need to start picking up points soon but its hard to see past Inverness at the moment, Billy McKay and Aaron Doran have been excellent so far, they've got a striker bang in form, a creative midfield and a defence who dont look like shipping many goals, I think Caley Thistle should win this with a couple of goals to spare, going for Kilmarnock 1-4 ICT

Partick Thistle vs Aberdeen, Thistle have been a breath of fresh air this season and Aberdeen have looked more like a team capable of finishing in the top 2/3 for the first time in years, Aberdeen have been unlucky that their 2 main summer signings Barry Robson and Willo Flood have both been injured, Robson is fit again but their talisman Niall McGinn got injured for Northern Ireland on Tuesday, Thistle have played some pacey counter attacking football this seaaon and the atmosphere at their games has been incredible, if I've got one criticism it'd be they've only drawn both their home games when they should have won both, I cant see Aberdeen losing this one, I'm going for Thistle 1-1 Aberdeen

St Johnstone vs Hibs, Hibs have the second best squad in the Premiership in my opinion, St Johnstone have been excellent in recent times, they finished 3rd last season and knocked Rosenborg out of the Europa League this season, they have a potential future star in Stevie May who after 2 goal laden yeara on loan at Alloa and Hamilton has been in good form for the Saints, Hibs should win this one but I dont feel they will, their manager isn't attack minded enough, I think we might see St Johnstone 2-1 Hibs here

St Mirren vs Motherwell, you get the feeling another loss for St Mirren could be the final nail im Danny Lennons coffin, Motherwell have had a steady if unspectacular start to the season, I feel they'll be fighting for 2nd again this year while St Mirren will fight relegation, St Mirren dont look like they could buy a win at the moment, I think it could be a tight affair with Motherwell sneaking it St Mirren 0-1 Motherwell

Ross County vs Dundee Utd, Both teams took a while to get started but both have had excellent results in recent weeks, County have a new team, 14 players signed in the Summer, Utd possibly have more quality but while both of these clubs finished in the top 6 last season I dont thinkeither will be in it at the end of this season, I think this could be 2-2

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