Scottish Premiership: Celtic thrash Rangers, Aberdeen impress, Hearts lose once more & extra | Soccer Information

A glance again on the main speaking factors from the Scottish Premiership that includes Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, Dundee Utd and extra…

Celtic cruising & Rangers rattled

“Celtic make things happen. Rangers hope things happen.”

Kris Boyd’s scathing post-match evaluation on Sky Sports activities following one other Previous Agency triumph for the champions maybe sums it up finest.

Brendan Rodgers’ facet have been favourites, and by half-time, it was clear to see why. Celtic have misplaced simply one in every of their final 13 derbies in all competitions. Rangers, nevertheless, have now misplaced their final 5 league journeys to their rivals – their worst run at Celtic Park since 1980.

The fear for Rangers might be, Celtic will solely get higher – so can they shut the hole?

Celtic’s file £11m signing Arne Engles was launched within the second half, alongside fellow deadline day arrival Luke McCowan. Adam Idah – who joined for £9.5m – can also be getting as much as full pace, whereas Auston Trusty will quickly be within the equation too after becoming a member of earlier than the window shut for £6m. Extra is to return from Celtic.

Philippe Clement was capable of throw on Hamza Igamane as a late sub after his damage points, whereas Neraysho Kasanwirjo was on the bench after his deadline day transfer, and £3.4m midfielder Nedim Bajrami might be obtainable after the worldwide break. Which may not be sufficient to cease their rivals however Gers followers will hope it’s at the very least sufficient to complete second.

Boyd believes his former membership are in a race to complete one of the best of the remainder behind Celtic – with Aberdeen and Dundee United at present forward of them. Solely time will inform if others can separate the Previous Agency.

Thelin’s terrific transformation at Aberdeen

When Jimmy Thelin took over at Pittodrie in the summertime, few would have thought they might be separating the Previous Agency on the first worldwide break.

Nonetheless, with 9 wins from 9 in all competitions – together with 4 within the league – it’s precisely the place Aberdeen discover themselves.

There would have been issues when Bojan Miovski – who scored 26 targets throughout all competitions final season – departed for £6.8m in the summertime. Nonetheless, Thelin’s facet are usually not a one-man band.

Jamie McGrath is contributing with targets and assists, captain Graeme Shinnie is main by instance, new signings Gavin Molloy and Dimitar Mitov are impressing on the again, plus Kevin Nisbet’s late winner at Ross County reminded everybody what he can supply after becoming a member of from Millwall.

Eight targets scored, simply two conceded and 12 factors from 12 within the league – issues are going nicely.

Ross County boss Don Cowie stated he took some positives from the defeat – however with only one aim and two factors to their title up to now – enhancements are wanted in the event that they’re to keep away from one other season battling relegation.

Hearts hurting & Dundee United delight

Over at Tynecastle Park, Hearts head coach Steven Naismith insists he’ll combat for his future on the helm.

The Jambos misplaced all their pre-season friendlies, and other than a gap day draw in opposition to Rangers, have tasted defeat in each match since – a run of six losses on the bounce throughout all competitions.

Supporters are annoyed, the vulnerabilities are clear to see and confidence is missing. Rigidity is constructing within the stands and replicating final season’s third-place end appears a great distance away.

Some would possibly take consolation in figuring out a poor run of kind hit at this stage final season and Hearts did end third. Nonetheless, issues might want to enhance rapidly if the stress is to ease on Naismith.

It’s a very totally different feeling at Tannadice. That 1-0 win over Hearts means Dundee United are third – above Rangers – regardless of solely being promoted in the summertime.

Their begin to the season is barely bettered by Celtic and Aberdeen, with two wins and two attracts from 4. David Babunski, Jort van der Sande, Will Ferry, Luca Stephenson and extra have been all signed in the summertime and are all making an influence.

Supervisor Jim Goodwin stated he needed to keep away from relegation this season however their return to the top-flight might be much more particular than that if this run of kind continues.

Can Kilmarnock & Hibs flip kind round?

There are worrying indicators at Rugby Park and Easter Street too. Each Kilmarnock and Hibernian would have been concentrating on a top-six end – however Killie are backside, Hibs are ninth and each are winless up to now.

Sunday’s draw was the primary level Kilmarnock picked up this season, that means new Hibs boss David Grey continues to be looking for that elusive first victory since taking up completely.

Of late Hibs have proven they’ll put the ball within the web, scoring twice in opposition to Dundee and taking the lead at Kilmarnock. As a lot as that may present consolation to Grey – he might be alarmed by the constant conceding of late targets which have price them 4 factors. Defensive errors might want to disappear rapidly if Hibs are to maneuver up the desk.

As for Kilmarnock, Derek McInnes is assured his group will quickly transfer away from the foot of the desk. After a busy begin to the season which included European qualifiers – solely home duties now lie forward.

Bruce Anderson was one in every of simply 5 summer season additions however his aim in that Hibs draw might kickstart his season, and that of the Ayrshire membership.

McInnes is just too skilled to panic at their begin however followers might be eager that first win once they go to St Mirren after the worldwide break.

Motherwell momentum sees Saints battle

The texture-good issue at Fir Park continues as Motherwell made it three wins on the bounce.

Stuart Kettlewell – who signed a brand new deal forward of their victory at St Johnstone – insists the 94th-minute successful aim proves their togetherness and who might argue with that.

Good outcomes, plus spectacular performances from the likes of Paul McGinn, Stephen O’Donnell and co all comes amid an damage nightmare. At one level eight first-team gamers have been out and as extra of these faces return – might Motherwell be wanting even greater than the fifth place they discover themselves in now?

As for St Johnstone, some followers have been questioning if Craig Levein is the suitable man to take them ahead.

His triple substitution within the second-half impressed led to the equaliser however defensive frailties at set items proceed to price his facet.

The Perth membership might make a transfer for extra additions from the free agent pool and know a optimistic end result at struggling Hibs is vital as soon as they return to motion following the break.

Dundee delight as Buddies look forward

Tony Docherty’s facet proved they may survive with out captain Luke McCowan, after his deadline day transfer to Celtic.

Dundee at the moment are unbeaten in 9 video games throughout all competitions and have one other star man in Lyall Cameron to steer their push up the desk.

The 21-year-old arrange the hosts’ second within the draw with St Mirren and with the likes of Leicester Metropolis loanee Sammy Baybrooke and QPR loanee Ziyad Larkeche impressing – the longer term seems vivid for the Dee.

As for St Mirren – some would possibly suppose a run of six video games with no win might be a priority. Whereas there might be disappointment that they twice threw away a lead – boss Stephen Robinson will take positives from the draw.

Mikael Mandron and Toyosi Olusanya seem like they will be key to the Buddies’ as they bid to push into the top-six and with video games in opposition to struggling Kilmarnock and Hearts to return after the worldwide break – the Paisley facet might be wanting up very quickly.