Football: Edinburgh exerts influence

Scottish round-up

Sunday 21 September 1997 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

At a time when the powerbrokers in the Scottish game are advocating a new league, there is a novel look to the apparently unfashionable Premier Division. Hearts and Hibernian, the Edinburgh clubs, lead the way and although the Glasgow giants are poised for a take-over bid, the challenge from the east might be sustained.

Hearts broke new ground on Saturday when they opened their new Gorgie Road stand, which takes their capacity up to 18,000, and they celebrated on the field by moving to the top of the Premier Division for the first time since 1992. In a team being rebuilt by Jim Jefferies it was the veteran John Robertson who scored the winning goal on the hour.

Hibs, who had led since the start of the season, surrendered top place with a 1-1 draw against Motherwell. Perhaps last season such a result would have been acceptable but these days more is expected at Easter Road. Hibs have already beaten Celtic this season but it is consistency against clubs other than the old firm that will determine the success of the Edinburgh challenge this season.

Already Rangers are poised to strike. Despite the disappointment of their form in Europe, the Scottish game does not pose as serious a challenge. A 2-0 win over St Johnstone has left the Glasgow side in third place two points behind leaders with two games in hand.

Celtic, who comfortably disposed of Aberdeen thanks to two goals by Henrik Larsson, one victory behind Hearts with one game in hand.

Kilmarnock took some time to recover from their 3-1 European defeat at the hands of Nice on Thursday. Their game with Dunfermline was put back to yesterday but it took a goal two minutes from time from the penalty spot by Paul Wright to give Killie a point after Dunfermline had gone ahead in the 62nd minute through Andy Smith.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in