SPFL awards: Celtic | Hearts

Chris Commons scores from the spot. Picture: Ian Georgeson

The weekend brought a positive result for Hearts, numbness but greatness at Cappielow, a tight game for Dunfermline lost in the last minute and the chance to use the pun that Curries were too hot for Albion Rovers.

Fans of Celtic, Falkirk, Cowdenbeath, Arbroath, Brechin City, Berwick Rangers and Montrose may also want to read on with supporters of Hamilton having one good reason to read one and one reason why they may not want to.

Good week for – Hearts

It has taken the Tynecastle side 24 games but Saturday’s 2-1 win at Ross County finally saw them move into positive points for the season. It is a significant milestone and opens the door for the next target in the Premiership which is double figures.

If no points penalty had been placed on Hearts they would only be 4 points behind Partick Thistle and Ross County, however it was, and whilst relegation still looks on an element of satisfaction will be taken by Saturday’s result and move to the 2 point mark.

Bad week for – Hamilton Accies

The title chasing New Douglas Park side entertained Cowdenbeath and they were lying in wait to benefit from closest rivals Falkirk and Dundee meeting at the Falkirk Stadium.

However the Accies went from a side who had conceded only 14 goals in 20 games to one that lost 4 to the Fifers in the space of one half of football and a minute against the relegation threatened Blue Brazil.

The mountain they had given themselves to climb was too steep and even though they pulled back 3 goals the fourth that would have given them a draw eluded them.

With Falkirk winning the top three are separated by only a point and it looks like a chance lost by Alex Neil’s side.

Team of the week – The fans of Morton and Queen of the South

Football fans get a bad name and sometimes it is deserved but the actions of supporters of Morton and Queen of the South at Cappielow on Saturday deserves credit.

A home fan had died on the terracing not long after the game had kicked off and referee Don Robertson took the teams off the field after only 11 minutes. The crowd maintained a dignified hush as events unfolded in front of them until the supporter was taken away on a stretcher where spontaneous applause to acknowledge a fellow football person broke out from both sets of fans.

The game was then abandoned and without one word of complaint everyone at the game walked away slowly and quietly which was made all the more commendable as they could not use the main exits at the ground as an ambulance was stationed there.

It was humbling to be there and witness it.

Manager of the week – Gary Holt (Falkirk)

The Bairns are top of the Championship after defeating Dundee 2-0 at the Falkirk Stadium. Gary Holt’s career got off to a rollercoaster of a start as his side led Hibs 3-0 in a Scottish Cup semi-final only to lose 4-3.

The start to this season was indifferent however a run of 10 games without defeat has turned Falkirk into title challengers.

The real test now comes in keeping Falkirk there.

Premiership Player of the week – Kris Commons (Celtic)

Another 2 goal blast from the Celtic man as the Premiership leaders won 4-0 at Hibs. It is the third game in a row where Commons has grabbed a brace with this pair of goals being separated by 81 minutes.

Twenty one goals for the season and Commons looks like a winner of the Player of the Year Awards already.

Premiership Goal of the week – Virgil van Dijk (Celtic)

Celtic were struggling to shake off Hibs yesterday until Dutch defender van Dijk decided to show his prowess with a dead ball. A free kick was awarded in what would normally be called ‘Charlie Mulgrew territory’ 25 yards from goal however after he had wasted an effort in the first half van Dijk took over.

He sent the ball curling, spinning and flying past a stretching Ben Williams and you could hear the sound of the air getting let out of the Edinburgh side’s tyres.

Championship Player of the week – Kane Hemmings (Cowdenbeath)

Hemmings made two goals for fellow striker Greg Stewart and scored two goals for himself as Cowdenbeath streaked into a 4-0 lead at Hamilton. The former Rangers front man is now up to 18 goals for the season which is pretty good going for the Championship’s ninth placed side.

Championship Goal of the week – Tony Andreu (Hamilton Accies)

Andreu ignited Hamilton’s fight back against Cowdenbeath that just fell short of gaining an unlikely point at New Douglas Park. The Frenchman spotted Blue Brazil number one Thomas Flynn off his line and chipped him from 25 yards to make the score 4-1 and he also grabbed a second but it was just too late.

League 1 Player of the week – Bobby Linn (Arbroath)

Linn was a stand-out at Ibrox as the Red Lichties led twice before losing 3-2 as he set up the first goal and scored the second with a darting run into the home side’s box and sent an angled drive home.

The former Dundee, Peterhead, Morton and East Fife front man will be key to the Gayfield men surviving in League 1 and he must surely regret spending last season at Ballingry Juniors.

League 1 Goal of the week – Darren Petrie (Brechin City)

Brechin came from two goals down to defeat Dunfermline 3-2 in a rousing encounter at Glebe Park with the result giving them fresh hope in the promotion chase.

On-loan Dundee United winger Petrie was the match-winner with a fierce drive from 25 yards in the last minute and if you are going to win games there is not many better ways of doing it.

League 2 Player of the week – Lee Currie (Berwick Rangers)

The strength of two Curries was too much for Albion Rovers as Paul opened the scoring and Lee added two goals in their 3-0 success in Coatbridge.

Former Hibs player Lee is blossoming at Shielfield and his use of the ball was pivotal in his side’s success. Newly appointed player/ manager Colin Cameron will be turning his phone off this week.

League 2 Goal of the week – Paul Watson (Montrose)

Montrose had just seen a two lead extinguished at Elgin when Watson decided that enough was enough.

As the home side thought they were in ascendency and would go on and win Watson stepped up and slammed home a free kick from 30 yards to put Montrose back in front.

The game was won 3-2 by the Gable Endies.

SPFL awards: Celtic | Hearts | Morton