Scottish Premier League

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Saturday 17th April

12:15 Celtic vs Hibernian

Celtic can move a step closer to clinching second spot in the SPL table with victory over Hibernian at Parkhead.

Neil Lennon's side responded to their shock Scottish Cup exit to Ross County by getting the better of Motherwell in midweek.

Hibs are going through a tough spell themselves and with John Hughes' injury crisis showing little sign of abating they will be the firm underdogs in Glasgow.

Diomansy Kamara is a doubt for the game on Saturday after aggravating a hamstring injury.

A decision will be made in the morning on the fitness of the Senegal striker, who made his first appearance since February in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Motherwell.

Darren O'Dea is expected to continue to play through the pain of a thigh strain, but the game comes too soon for fellow defenders Glenn Loovens and Thomas Rogne, while Jos Hooiveld and Shaun Maloney remain on the sidelines.

Hibernian are hoping to welcome Chris Hogg, David Wotherspoon, Paul Hanlon and Patrick Cregg back.

The quartet have all trained this week following respective back, ankle, pelvic and toe problems.

Liam Miller misses the trip to his former club due to a one-match ban, while Merouane Zemmama (knee) is out for the rest of the season

15:00 Aberdeen vs Falkirk
Struggling Aberdeen host bottom club Falkirk in a game the hosts will be looking to win to pull away from relegation trouble.

The Dons have endured a torrid few months under Mark McGhee, with last week's 3-1 defeat at home to St Johnstone condemning them to their 15th defeat of the season.

McGhee is under increasing pressure to deliver, and will see the game against the Bairns as the perfect chance for his players respond at Pittodrie.

The Dons will be without Sone Aluko after the winger had to withdraw in the previous game late on.

Gary McDonald remains out with a hamstring injury, whilst Peter Pawlett (knee) and Andrew Considine (hip) are both out with long-term setbacks.

Falkirk have pulled themselves right back into the fight against relegation with two straight victories taking them level on points with St Mirren.

A victory at Pittodrie would take them within three points of their opponents and possibly off the bottom depending on the results of St Mirren and Kilmarnock.

Manager Steven Pressley will possibly have to make do without SPL young player of the month Ryan Flynn after the midfielder's struggle to train properly in recent weeks after picking up a knock.

15:00 Hamilton vs Kilmarnock

Hamilton can move one step closer to SPL survival with success over relegation-threatened Kilmarnock.

A fine run of form has seen the Accies move eight clear of rock-bottom Falkirk, while Killie are just a point above the Bairns.

Brian Easton will miss Hamilton's SPL clash against Kilmarnock with a knee injury.

The on-loan Burnley player missed last weekend's victory over Hibernian and will have the injury assessed further next week.

David Elebert returns to the squad though after missing the Hibs match through injury. Youngster Kyle Wilkie should be involved.

Kilmarnock captain Craig Bryson will return for the clash.

However, Jimmy Calderwood has injury doubts over Manuel Pascali, Jamie Hamill and Scott Severin.

Kevin Kyle serves the second half of his two-match ban while Frazer Wright (hamstring) remains out but he could return the following week.

15:00 St Johnstone vs St Mirren
St Johnstone defender Dave Mackay remains a doubt for Saturday's SPL clash with St Mirren.

Mackay was due to return to training on Friday from the calf injury which ruled him out of last Sunday's 3-1 win at Aberdeen.

Strikers Peter MacDonald (knee) and Steven Milne (hamstring) trained on Friday morning and should be available, while Graham Gartland (virus) could make the bench.

Boss Derek McInnes is also boosted by the return of full-back Danny Grainger from suspension, but Stuart McCaffrey (groin) is still out.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson expects to name a similar squad to last week when they travel to McDiarmid Park.

The Buddies boss has no fresh injury worries as they seek to bounce back from last week's disappointing 2-1 defeat to relegation rivals Falkirk.

Jack Ross remains on the sidelines after being told he will miss the remainder of the season after succumbing to a persistent ankle problem.

Sunday 18th April

12:30 Rangers vs Hearts

Rangers can move one step closer to yet another SPL title with victory over Hearts at Ibrox.

Gers were held in midweek to a goalless draw by Dundee United, although two more league wins will secure top spot.

Hearts are assured of a top-six place and have lost only one of their last four league outings ahead of their Glasgow trip.

Rangers manager Walter Smith has no fresh injury worries ahead of the clash.

Maurice Edu limped out of the midweek draw against Dundee United but has been passed fit for Sunday's clash.

Andrius Velicka is back in training after suffering knee ligament damage back in August and Smith hopes he will be able to join the rest of the squad for pre-season training.

Hearts captain Michael Stewart could make his first appearance for almost two months after injury.

The midfielder has been sidelined with a troublesome calf injury but returned to training on Thursday.

Defenders Ismael Bouzid and Dawid Kucharski (both hamstring) may also make their long-awaited comebacks, as could striker Gordon Smith (groin).

But Gary Glen (hamstring) is extremely doubtful, while Andrew Driver (thigh), Jose Goncalves, Ryan Stevenson (both knee), Janos Balogh (wrist), Marian Kello (hand) and Johnny Stewart (knee) are all out.

16:15 Motherwell vs Dundee Utd
Dundee United will be looking to keep alive their outside hopes of a top-two finish when they tackle Motherwell at Fir Park.

The Terrors are seven points adrift of Celtic in the race for second and that crucial UEFA Champions League qualifying position.

Well are fifth in the standings and are keen to secure points for other reasons with fourth-placed Hibs just two points clear of Craig Brown's side.

Motherwell will make a late decision on the fitness of Keith Lasley as the midfielder continues to struggle with a knock just below the knee.

But Stephen Craigan is expected to make Sunday's SPL clash after limping off against Celtic in midweek.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz is hopeful of overcoming his recurring knee injury to keep his place in the starting line-up but keeper John Ruddy (thigh) remains on the sidelines.

Dundee United could have midfielder Scott Robertson back for the trip.

The Scotland international has been out for four months with a groin problem but has resumed training in recent weeks and may be named on the bench.

United are without suspended Mihael Kovacevic after his red card against Rangers, while Paul Dixon is out for the season with a broken foot.
 
SPL round-up

Celtic came from behind to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win against Hibernian after a late strike from Morten Rasmussen.

Robbie Keane struck early on for the Bhoys but Derek Riordan came back to haunt his old club with a fine strike almost immediately afterwards.

Hibs then took the lead in the second half as Anthony Stokes slotted home from the penalty spot after he had been impeded in the box.

But two late goals from Marc-Antoine Fortune and Morten Rasmussen turned the match around and secured three points for Neil Lennon's side.

Elsewhere, St Mirren missed the chance to give their survival hopes a huge boost after a 2-2 draw away at St Johnstone.

Graham Carey gave the strugglers the lead in the 33rd minute and Andy Dorman doubled the advantage five minutes after the half-time break to seemingly kill the game off.

But Michael Duberry pulled a goal back before Paul Sheerin struck a last-minute penalty to grab a point for the hosts.

Falkirk remain rooted to the foot of the table after suffering a defeat at the hands of mid-table outfit Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The only goal of the game came with just over 10 minutes gone as on-loan Plymouth striker Steve MacLean scored his fourth goal for the club.

Kilmarnock fell to 11th place in SPL table after a damaging 3-0 defeat at the hands of Hamilton.

Dougie Imrie, Falvio Paixao and Joel Thomas got on the scoresheet as Accies struck three times within the space of 15 second-half minutes.

The result means Killie are still embroiled in the relegation fight with four games, including a last-day clash with Falkirk, still to come.
 
Rangers moved closer to retaining the Scottish Premier League title following a 2-0 victory over 10-man Hearts at Ibrox.

Second half goals from Kyle Lafferty and Kenny Miller separated the sides in Glasgow and Rangers can wrap-up the title with victory at Hibernian next weekend.

The home side ended Hearts' resistance in the 54th minute when Lafferty met Kevin Thomson's inch-perfect corner with a header into the roof of the net.

Walter Smith's men continued to dominate thereafter and sealed the win when Miller converted from the penalty spot after Eggert Jonsson was sent off for a professional foul on Steven Naismith.
 
Motherwell 2 - 3 Dundee Utd


Two Michael Fraser mistakes and Motherwell's bobbly pitch helped Dundee United ease to a win that ensures their place in next season's Europa League.

The goalkeeper stumbled as he sent his attempted clearance against Jon Daly and into the net after five minutes.

Motherwell striker John Sutton headed an equaliser after 28 minutes.

But Daly volleyed home after another poor Fraser clearance and Craig Conway fired a third before Sutton headed his second with nine minutes remaining.

Victory pulled United back to within seven points of second-top Celtic and consigned Motherwell to their fourth straight defeat.
 
Motherwell 2 - 3 Dundee Utd


Two Michael Fraser mistakes and Motherwell's ploughed field filled with sand that is a disgrace to the SPL helped Dundee United ease to a win that ensures their place in next season's Europa League.

The goalkeeper stumbled as he sent his attempted clearance against Jon Daly and into the net after five minutes.

Motherwell striker John Sutton headed an equaliser after 28 minutes.

But Daly volleyed home after another poor Fraser clearance and Craig Conway fired a third before Sutton headed his second with nine minutes remaining.

Victory pulled United back to within seven points of second-top Celtic and consigned Motherwell to their fourth straight defeat.

Fixed :Kickassro
 
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