fat_tony

The good news is that no matter what happens next weekend, nobody can catch us yet. We've still got a 5 point buffer and all 3 of our rivals can't win. Means we go into the St Johnstone game at least 2 points ahead of our closest rivals. It's all down to us and I reckon another 3 points, perhaps 4 might just be enough to see us through, albeit closer than we might like. The hope is that if one team draws ahead of the chasing pack, one of the others pulls them back over the remaining weeks. And there's also the odd favour from the scum.

Just back in, having some tea after the game. Not a classic but dug in well after being a goal down and got a deserved equaliser. A few players looking a bit tired out there, so happy enough with the point. Thought Randolph's positioning at their goal left a lot to be desired. He doesn't make many mistakes but I'd have to say that was one today. Made up for it by tipping Soares' piledriver onto the bar though. Good endeavour to keep pushing though and well done to Nicky Law for a great finish. Special mention to Omar Daley for reacting fastest to Hateley's hopeful ball and holding off his man to set it up. Great control by Law to bring it down and volley in though. A few decent performances, thought Humphrey did brilliantly, Hutch also. Page did pretty well too, as did Higdon who mostly fed off scraps but battled away and linked up well with Humph. Felt sorry for Ojamaa as he put himself about and chased but was let down by one or two bad touches and some tight marking from McPake. Tried hard though and it'll happen for him if he keeps plugging away. Also thought Clancy did really well going forward, some nice runs and crosses. Hateley struggled with Sproule but did make some very important challenges, so can't be too harsh. Just needs to watch his tendancy to dive in. All in all, a good point, and gives us some breathing room on Utd while matching pace with Saints.

On checking, you're right. You know, it seems like we've been in this situation more often than that. Did they consider it in another couple of seasons? Either way, with everything that's on the line this season, I'd be disappointed if we were to lose out because St Johnstone upset the curve.

Yeah, I was amazed at the number of blatant, 2-hands-on-the-back pushes that went unpunished by Brines today, despite happening right in front of him. Rangers' second being the one that ended up being costly. Absolutely sickened by today's result, really struggling to pick myself back up from it. In saying that though, didn't think there were any terrible performances, just a bit too much respect shown to Rangers when they had the ball. As usual, they end up getting the bit of luck that makes the difference, typical. Same old story of not taking the chances that were there and a great save by McGregor thrown into the bargain. A sense of injustice has worked well for us earlier this season with the games against Dunfermline and Hearts springing to mind, so let's hope that the players carry that forward to next Sunday and get a result at Hibs to get us back on track. The scheduling of the post-split fixtures could no have a huge bearing on how our season ends. Technically we should only have 2 at home but we've only had 18 home games the last few years, will the SPL make an exception?

Have to admit, I am absolutely loving this. It's about time the diddy teams stood together to lessen the stranglehold the Old Firm maintain on Scottish football. It's just a shame that it's taken this long and the current situation for everyone to start working together.

I'm not sure to be honest. There's no way they'll shaft either of the Old Firm, so that's likely to stay as Celtic (H) and Rangers (A). I hope we don't lose the Hearts away game, as I love a wee day at Tynecastle (nice and handy for me). So that leaves the St Johnstone game. I fully expect them to hand us 18 home games again though.

Yeah, correct me if I'm wrong but have we not had only 18 home games for the last 2 or 3 seasons? About time we got a bit of a balance.

Had to go for Page as he dealt with everything thrown at him today and kept those two big donkeys quiet. Cummins did well for his first start too. Also, a word for the experienced lads today, thought Hammell, Jennings and Higdon all talked those around them through the game and got involved at every opportunity. It didn't really come off for big Higgy up front today but certainly not for lack of effort. Hammell and Jennings both did a great job though.

Fair enough. All I saw was all of our back 4 queuing up on the left and Fallon completely free at the back pitching his tent! Either way, some poor, poor defending.

Bad day at the office today. A howler of a decision to give the corner that resulted in the first goal (albeit from poor defending). Higdon's penalty miss seemed a sign of things to come. The second goal was piss poor defending, 3 players in the middle and all marking the one guy while his strike partner sneaks in at the far post. Hateley's got to take that one on the chin. He had a bad day today but all in all has had a decent season. A couple of bad performances doesn't make a bad player. Our passing was horrific throughout the team, from Jennings playing almost everything out the park or to an Aberdeen player to the weak, underhit efforts being played by the rest. Some poor ball control as well throughout the side. Our attacking players struggled a bit today, not because of the opposition really, just some bad touches, bad bounces and a bit of bad luck that on another day would have worked out. Higdon's penalty wasn't bad, only problem was potentially that it was in the same spot he put his 2 against Hibs and the goalie may have done his homework. A frustrating day for the likes of Murphy, Ojamaa and Higdon and perhaps the answer would have been to play Humphrey from the start. That game today seemed to be calling out for someone like him and it was telling that the goal came from him driving into the box. Hopefully McCall has taken note and will start him next week. Aberdeen will be digging in again and we can't afford to gift them goals again. In saying that, I think we'll give them a bit of a doing next week as several players will have a point to prove. Very silly red for Lasley and he needs to start being more careful with his challenges. He's not getting away with it these days and is beginning to make Jennings look like an angel (remember when he was getting booked every week?). Bad day. Put it behind us and focus on righting some wrongs next week and cementing our place in the league.

Went for Randolph as he made some important saves and got the ball out quickly to try and spark a comeback. Also got a touch on it when he went up for a corner! Pass marks for Humphrey (who perhaps would have got my vote if he'd been on earlier) and probably Clancy too. The rest a bit below par and Hateley having a complete howler. Sold the second goal by losing his man completely and then tried to blame Randolph. Hopefully back to his best next week.

I'd be happy to contribute. Still deciding whether I can afford to shell out for myself at the moment but would be able to contribute £10-£50 towards a steelmenonline membership in the meantime.

I find myself wondering if Celtic are going to lie down to us on Saturday...the conspiracy theorists must be going potty!

Let's all do the Higgy, let's all do the Higgy! The big man was superb tonight. What a goal Ojamaa did great too, settled into the game well in the second half and should have had a goal. Murphy looked good again, Jennings and Hutch both did well too.

He was only on loan...

Haha, of course! Just trying to think how best to approach this. Do we put out a further weakened team for the Celtic game in the hope of getting suspensions out of the way and strengthening the team for Aberdeen, Killie and Rangers, or do we go for it against Celtic and risk having a weakened side for those games? The way I read it from the STV link was that because he's on both the suspended list, and the "One yellow card away from suspension" list, I took this to mean that were he to play against Celtic and get a yellow, he'd be suspended again. This matches what he says himself on Twitter. No idea what the system is though, so I could easily be adding 2 + 2 and getting 16.

Very interesting reading. It suggests that Jennings might be wise taking a yellow tomorrow night so he sits out the Celtic game. I don't know if the above's correct that he'd sit out 3 matches, but if not, I'd be happy with him missing Celtic and being available for Dunfermline again. Looks like Clancy is out for Saturday, so Hutch needs to avoid a booking tomorrow and it looks as if Craigan will be back in on Saturday. No idea what to think with the Lasley situation, it's looking like he can play against Celtic but if he gets booked, will miss at least Aberdeen. Not surprised to read about Black being the dirtiest player, just a pity the ref didn't deem to give him a yellow on Sat for the aforementioned "j) Feigning injury 3".

Great result and performance yesterday and just watched the highlights back on the BBC. The 3rd goal was just as good as good as I remember! It's hard to tell from the footage about Lasley's second yellow although the highlights make the first look more like Black kicked his foot rather than Lasley catching Black. The little shitebag went down like he'd been shot both times. Unsurprisingly, no sign of Zaliukas' gesture at the Well fans...

Didn't score today, he's pish. Get rid of him!

This. I think Craigan still has a lot to offer us and is a great player to have around both on and off the pitch. However, you're entirely correct: he won't keep going forever and we do need to plan ahead. I wasn't convinced by Clancy to begin with but the more I've seen him playing at centre half, he looks like a decent acquisition and potentially a long term successor to Craigan. Definitely worth giving him a run in the team to see what he can do.

Between Jennings and OJ for me. Jennings ran the show in the middle of the park and Ojamaa caused problems all day, with some very nice link up play with almost every other player on the park. In the end went for Ojamaa, his involvement in 3 of the goals shading it for me.

But they can't possibly prove intent so they come up with some half-baked excuse to ban him for his "offensive" gesture.

So the law of the game that's been broken is using foul and/or abusive language and/or gestures? In that case, I want a player to be suspended every time TV cameras catch them mouthing a swear word. There will be wholesale suspensions each and every week, and all that will happen is the passion will disappear from the game, causing the already low numbers of fans to dwindle even farther. Broadfoot and Regan's behaviour on Twitter is totally unprofessional and if club representatives were to behave in that manner, there would be sanctions imposed. It's not that hard to have an official Twitter account and keep your personal bias to yourself and those who actually give a shit. Who are this 3-man panel they keep talking about and what qualifies them to decide what is or isn't offensive behaviour? This whole thing stinks to high heaven and just shows the SFA up to be the corrupt, self-obsessed old boy's club that it is.

Club Response Glad to see they're not just taking it on the chin. Lasley's commented on it too: Twitter - need to be careful the SFA don't deem that as "inappropriate conduct" too.

Higdon ban upheld. Pathetic decision. Can't wait to see the next time an Old firm player scores and celebrates with a "get it up you".