The Scottish Premiership title race saw another twist in the tale with leaders Hearts losing away to Kilmarnock. It marked their third straight loss on the road, with Kilmarnock drawing level with St Mirren at ten place. With Celtic and Rangers beating Motherwell and the Buddies, with thirty games played, the top three are split by just three points in what is proving to be a title race for the ages in terms of entertainment. There was derby day drama at Dens Park, with Dundee coming from two goals behind with a stoppage time double to ensure a draw, while Stephen Robinson’s first game in the Aberdeen dugout also saw a share of the points, with a 1-1 draw against Falkirk. The Bairns remain four points behind Hibernian, as their clash with Livingston ended goalless.

Yang Proving Deserved Of Celtic Jersey

This season marks the third term that Yang has spent in Glasgow. During that period, he has made fifty-six appearances and managed just seven goals and nine assists. When Birmingham came calling in the Summer window, a move seemed best suited for both parties. Yes, he had shown potential at times and was clearly a talented player but it ultimately didn’t seem as though it would ever work out for him in Green and White. The then Hoops manager, Brendan Rodgers, clearly didn’t fancy him. Where he would fit in seemed rather unclear. Yet, just over six months later, the picture looks really different. Ironically, in a torrid Wilfried Nancy tenure during which just about everything that could have gone wrong did, Yang was one of the shining lights, who increased his stock with a real upturn in performance. His directness out wide is refreshing in an era where the dribbling art becomes less and less common, meaning that even on an off day, defenders must be on alert. Whether it was his strike against Rangers, a header against Feyenoord, or his double at the weekend, the South Korean has produced some big goals this season. Of the current crop, only Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren have scored more since the start of 2024. With his third season coming to a close, he might be looking for a change of scenery. Or his desire to move last Summer could have been due to a lack of gametime. Should the latter be the case, with his contract due to end in two years, the reigning Champions should be looking to tie him down on a long-term deal.

Hibernian Missing Kieron Bowie’s Physicality

It’s been a frustrating old season for Hibs. Knocked out both cups early and sitting fifth in the table, David Gray’s men have never been able to show the same consistency that they showed throughout last season to secure a third-place finish. It was this form that meant they headed into this tie with an abundance of confidence. There have been high peaks such as racing into a three-nil lead against Hearts and recording a 2-1 away win at Celtic Park. For the most part though, their lack of consistency is why they find themselves out of reach of the top three. While they have managed to play a quick-passed attacking brand of football, their lack of physicality has left them too easy to counter. In losing Kieran Bowie, they have weakened even more so in that department. While Owen Elding and Ante Suto have had reasonably prolific starts, neither acts as a strong presence up front who can hold the ball up and bring others into play. The Hibees created a number of chances at the weekend but were unable to make any of them count, with Jamie McGrath twice hitting the woodwork. Days like this are when a more imposing presence could have come in handy.

Hearts’ Imminent Lawerence Shankland Return Could Not Be More Needed

From one Edinburgh club to another, Hearts also endured a frustrating weekend which saw their gap at the summit cut to just two points. Make no mistake, the fact that the Jambos even find themselves in this conversation at this point of the season is beyond commendable. Even allowing for Tony Bloom’s analytical aid, they have still spent around a tenth of what Rangers have this season and a third of Celtic’s. Yet, by fairly putting them in the same sporting conversation as Celtic and Rangers in the title race, it is necessary to assess them by such criteria. By doing this, you can only deduct Saturday night’s game as a concerning display at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock found an early lead and were happy to sit back and defend their box. Much of Hearts’ success has come from physicality and aerial threat, yet against a team that was comfortable in defending their box, Derek McInnes’s side looked out of ideas. Admittedly, for much of the season, against teams lower down the table, Hearts haven’t eased to victories. It’s been about grit, determination and finding a way to win. All positive traits, for that matter. Nevertheless, having a proven goalscorer has also without a doubt, aided. Before Lawerence Shankland picked up a hamstring issue on the 17th of January, Hearts had lost just two of twenty-two league matches. Since then, they have lost three out of eight and scored just ten goals in that period, one of which was against the ten men of Dundee United and another in the same game when the tangerines were reduced to nine. With Derek McIness saying Shankland could return alongside Cammy Devlin for next week’s welcoming of Dundee, it could go a long way in rediscovering the earlier season form.

Same Old Story for United In Tayside Derby

The sun shines on Dens Park. It’s the 93rd minute and the Bob Shankly end jubilantly cheer every completed pass. It’s been a thoroughly entertaining derby for the neutral but it’s Dundee United who are set to leave with all three points and a clean sheet. In what has been a frustrating season at times for Jim Goodwin’s men, they are finally set to secure back-to-back league wins. They have deserved it. Their second-half play has warranted as much. Just three minutes later, the same set of supporters are silent in their disbelief. An Ashley Hay tap-in reduced the lead deep into injury time but in the end, captain Ross Graham’s header found the back of its own net. It’s the second time in as many home games that Dundee have snatched a point late on. A fresh story for a Dundee side who have been on the opposite end of the stick all too often in the past couple of seasons. For the visitors, though, their lack of basic defensive competence is an all too familiar story and the reason why they will now finish in the bottom half.

Size of Stephen Robinson Aberdeen Project Revealed

Stephen Robinson buoyantly spoke after accepting the Aberdeen job midweek. He echoed the ambition of the present owners- who have invested considerably in the past few seasons – and took inspiration from Hearts’ unlikely current placing in a title challenge. Yet, if there is anything that Saturday showed, it’s that they are quite a bit away from that. That was in line with expectations, of course; he has barely had a few days on the training ground. Nevertheless, while Robinson worked miracles at Motherwell and St Mirren, his ability to manage a team with the expectation to be at the top end of the table and play a certain brand of attacking football remains an unknown. Time will tell and it’s one of many fascinating storylines in Scottish football.