The list of inspections, in the league, according to the SFL website are: -

Albion Rovers v Stenhousemuir – Saturday at 11:30am
Arbroath v Airdrie United – Saturday 11.00am
Dumbarton v Cowdenbeath – Saturday at 9.00am
East Fife v Brechin City – Saturday at 9.30am
Stirling Albion v Forfar Athletic – Saturday at 11:30am

SCOTTISH CUP

There is no First Division fixture list this weekend due to Cup action so where are the likely upsets, are there any likely and who should progress? Ayr United v Falkirk has the two beaten semi finalists up against each other. Brian Reid has managed to secure the signing of two loanees in the shape of Kiegan Parker and Sean Higgins. Falkirk will be a very different looking side as they recover from the loss of Kallum Higginbotham to Huddersfield. This could be a very tasty tie if it goes ahead and we would all expect an away win but Ayr have proven handy cup specialists over the years so it may take a replay to separate them. Motherwell v Morton gives Allan Moore some respite from the vagaries of the league campaign on which he has embarked this year. SPL opposition at home should triumph surely? Moore has major defensive injury worries so a shock seems highly unlikely.

St Mirren v Ross County may well spell the game of the day for the SFL as the leaders of Division One get to play against a club they would be expected to beat if they wanted next year to consolidate in the SPL. Of course that would be if they got promoted… St Mirren have already fallen foul of SFL opposition in the league so will be keen to avoid lightening striking twice. On top of that County put the Saints out the league cup last year so it is all measuring up! County are likely to be without David McNamee, Jonny Flynn and Marc Fitzpatrick. I fancy a home win and the end of a dismal cup run for Danny Lennon’s side. Finally Aberdeen v Queen of the South has Gus McPherson’s side likely to field new signing Sam Parkin and hope he continues to find the net as he did the last weekend. They are without Kevin Smith and Marc McCusker though Craig Reid and Stephen McKenna should be back. New signing John Potter for Queens, like Gavin Rae for the Dons is cup tied. A home win for me I am afraid as I think the Doonhamers need to concentrate on the league.

SECOND DIVISION

I think we can safely say there will be more than a few games off following the inspections which shall be a pity and a shame because there were quite a few ties with the word intriguing hanging over them! Dumbarton v Cowdenbeath fitted into that category as Colin Cameron’s side won 4- 0 the last time they visited on league action and Arbroath are beginning to catch them again. The Sons will be without Kevin Nicoll whilst Killie loanee Garry Fisher will feature in the squad for the Blue Brazil, taking Cameron’s place. Thomas O’Brien is still out for Cowdenbeath too but the rest of
the squad should be available. For me it will possibly end up Alan Adamson’s fifth win on the spin as Cameron dictates play when on the park… East Fife v Brechin City has Darren McCormack and Ryan Wallace back for the Fifers though John Robertson may still be without Craig Johnstone and David Muir. Brechin are looking like they will be without Charlie King as well as Gerry McLachlan and Derek Carcary. For me I would put money on a postponement – possibly like every fixture this weekend – but if it gets the nod I think John Robertson’s side may shade it.

Arbroath v Airdrie United sees Paul Sheerin sweating over the fitness of 4 players with Stuart Malcolm, Mark Baxter, Josh Falkingham and Beau Busch struggling. Michael White and Jordan Elfverson are out. Kieron Stallard returns for Airdrie and Cameron MacDonald is added to Jimmy Boyle’s squad. Tough game for the visitors and I would expect each to snuff the other out making the Dumbarton result one that could become more significant as the afternoon draws on. Albion Rovers v Stenhousemuir would be one on my bucket list this afternoon. Rangers loanee Jack Werndly may make his debut for the wee Rovers whilst there will be no John Gemmell, Tony Stevenson or Jordan Halsman. At least Barry Russell looks like he is coming back. Stenny will be missing Stevie Murray and Martyn Corrigan. With so much at stake for both in terms of getting a consolidated play off place this could be a fascinating 0-0 draw or one of those big scoring games that have been a feature of this season…

Finally Stirling Albion v Forfar Athletic sees Stirling wanting off the foot of the table. Brian Allison is back as well as John Cawley though the swings have roundabouts – out are Stevie Nicholas and Shaun Fagan for the Binos. The visitors will welcome back David Mowat, Iain Campbell and Martyn Fotheringham whilst Stephen Tulloch may be missing. After losing to Arbroath midweek the Binos will be desperate to make amends but I can see them slipping further.

THIRD DIVISION

Queens Park v Alloa Athletic should beat the frost otherwise it might be a national scandal! There are no changes for the Spiders from the team that was beaten by Peterhead so they could once again struggle. For Alloa Ben Gordon will be available as well as Ryan McCord. For me Alloa are on a fine run and that will continue. East Stirling v Stranraer should be as easy an away win as any this season especially as Stranraer have already registered a 6-0 win against East Stirling already this year! Stranraer have Chris Aitken back and are at full strength. Tipping the winner may be the easiest tip of the day as I cannot see past the visiting side.

Montrose v Annan Athletic has the team that was neck and neck with the league leaders Alloa now 13 points adrift trying to make up the gap. With Montrose down to only 15 fit players prayers may be answered and the team that lost to Alloa last Saturday could find themselves on the end of a humbling experience. However Annan arrive without David Winters who has left after a trial period, Graham Bell and John MacBeth. A late test for Sean O’Connor and Ian Harty starting is the other squad news as Annan need a win to get their season back on track. Stewards’ Enquiry if they don’t get it. Finally Berwick Rangers v Peterhead sees a resurgent – at last – Blue Toon ready to keep the train a going against the Borderers. The home side will have Ben Gordon back with Lee Currie, Kevin McDonald and Elliot Smith out. In come John Ferguson and Stephen Tulloch. There is no Barry Sellars and doubts for David Ross and Scott Ross as Jim McInally hopes he has found the turn in Peterhead’s season. I think he might find the light at the end of this tunnel is NOT an oncoming train and gain another three points.

23.00

AND THATS THE WINDOW SHUT… Now turn the bloody heating!

22.58

MK Dons have signed Celtic midfielder Paul Slane on loan until the end of the season, subject to him receiving international clearance.

22.48

Hibernian confirm Matt Doherty joins the club on loan from Wolves until the end of the season

22.38

Hearts keeper Marian Kello has turned down a move to Austria Vienna, while Bristol City weren’t willing to meet David Templeton’s valuation.

22.35

Hibernian have confirmed that striker Akpo Sodje has parted company with the club by mutual agreement.

22.17

Speculation that Leon Best is in discussions with Celtic about a loan move until the end of the season, however the player has rejected a move to the club to fight for his place at Newcastle.

22.14

Hibernian have confirmed that defender Michael Hart has parted company with the club by mutual agreement.

21.51

No signings at Rangers as Ally McCoist has failed to persuade owner Craig Whyte into parting with some cash. So was that Grant Holt bid just smoke and mirrors to try and appease the fans into thinking that they were priced out of a move then?

21.12

Graeme MacGregor has just signed for Hamilton Accies on loan from Bolton until end of season

21.09

Nigerian Under 23 international Daniel Uchechi has become the fifth and final signing for the Dons during the January transfer window.

21.07

Kallum Higginbotham moves to Huddersfield Town after a six figure sum was accepted by Falkirk. Player moves with immediate effect.

20.52

Everton have officially completed the transfer of Nikica Jelavic from Rangers on a four and a half year deal. Transfer fee is around £5 million.

20.25

Conrad Balatoni has partied company with Hearts and is now a free agent. The defender was on loan to Partick Thistle in the first half of the season and his contract was up in the summer.

20.15

Dunfermline have signed Jordan McMillan joins from Rangers until May 2013, while John Potter has gone out on loan to Queen of the South until the end of the season.

20.13

Clyde Superscoreboard have stated that Rangers offered a mere £500,000 for Norwich City captain Grant Holt. Which was promptly rejected by City.

20.07

19-year-old striker Stephen Reynolds has left St.Johnstone by mutual consent

20.07

Rangers are ‘unlikely’ to add to their squad before the close of the January transfer window according to STV Sport

20.06

Craig Brown is busy trying to get the Nigerian FA to process Uchechi registration with a two-and-a-half year deal agreed with player.

20.05

Hibs have beaten Rangers to the signing of Honduran Jorge Claros and joins the Easter Road side until the summer.

20.05

18 year old Dyer returns to Ayr having previously played for the Ayr United Academy side before signing on at Murray Park in June 2010.

20.04

Dundee United Chairman Stephen Thompson confirms club do not envisage any more transfer activity before end of business tonight.

20.01

Kyle Hutton has signed a one-year contract extension but will go out on loan to Dunfermline for the rest of the season.

17.22

Rangers reportedly back in for Francisco Sandaza according to Sky Sports

16.58

Blackpool still interested in signing Paddy McCourt, but Celtic holding firm and stating that he is not for sale.

16.56

Celtic target Jamie Vardy has had a £1 million from an unnamed club for him rejected by Fleetwood Town

16.53

Fraser Fyvie has turned down offer of a contract extension at Aberdeen. Deal actually expires in December. Free to talk to clubs in summer according to Liam McLeod of BBC

16.52

St.Mirren have announced that they will not be doing any further business in this transfer window

16.49

Striker Roy O’Donovan has signed for Hibernian on loan from Coventry City

16.44

Jamie Murphy has rejected a move to Blackpool from MOtherwell according to Scott Burns of the Scottish Daily Express

16.39

Rob Ogleby has left Hearts on a free transfer and signed for Wrexham

16.31

Norwich have knocked back a bid for striker Grant Holt from Rangers

16.31

Austria Vienna interested in signing Hearts keeper Marian Kello.

15.05

Hearts youngster Jamie Walker has signed for Raith Rovers on loan until the end of the season.

14.43

Rangers have made a bid for Norwich City captain Grant Holt according to Sky Sports news, but Paul Lambert was adamant this morning that no first team player would be sold.

14.41

Huddersfield sign Murray Wallace from Falkirk for initial £300,000 rising to £700,000 and promptly returns to Falkirk on loan until end of season – Sky Sports

14.26

Efrain Juarez has returned to Celtic Park after his loan with Real Zaragoza was terminated by the Spanish club.

14.22

Jordan McMillan has left Rangers for Dunfermline for an undisclosed fee on a one and half year contract

14.08

St.Johnstone’s Steven Anderson has signed a two year contract extension taking him through to the end of season 2013/2014.

14.01

Partick Thistle defender Johnny Lindsay joins Brechin on loan until the end of the season

13.41

Derek Riordan in talks with Polish side Legia Warsaw

13.38

Looks like Falkirk’s 3-1 defeat to Celtic on Sunday in the League Cup semi final could be Kallum Higginbotham’s final game for the Bairns as he is en route to Huddersfield for talks, with clubs negotiating a fee currently.

13.33

St.Johnstone striker Sean Higgins has signed for Ayr United on loan for rest of season

13.23

Watford FC are looking to sign Motherwell centre-back Shaun Hutchinson

13.18

Sky Sports reporting that Hibs are set to sign Gambian defender Pa Saikou Kujabi

13.15

Watford are interested in signing Hearts’ 23-year-old winger David Templeton before the deadline tonight according to Sky Sports News.

12.46

Partick Thistle midfielder Iain Flannigan leaves the club by mutual consent

12.42

BBC Scotland’s Brian McLaughlin reports that Hearts have received two bids for winger David Templeton. One from Rangers and one from an English Championship club, believed to be Bristol City.

12.31

Sky Sports reporting that Jorge Claros has signed on loan for Hibernian following the collapse of Rangers securing the player due to financial issues.

12.27

Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas could be set to leave the Tynecastle club and move to the Championship – BBC Sport

12.24

Isaac Osbourne has agreed a contract extension at Aberdeen that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2013.

12.22

Ronnie MacKay of The Scottish Sun has tweeted that Murray Wallace of Falkirk has agreed to sign for Huddersfield Town.

12.20

Cameroon international Matthew Mbuta will arrive at Rangers for a trial period later – Sky Sports

12.15

Raith Rover’s striker John Baird has stated via his twitter account that he is staying put at Starks Park and not going anywhere.

11.37

Rangers hopes of trying to sign Grant Holt from Norwich City have been dealt a blow with manager Paul Lambert stating that no first team player will leave Carrow Road.

11.06

Bristol City are in the frame to sign Celtic defender Mark Wilson – Sky Sports

10.29

St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas insists there has been no bid from Bristol City for the club’s captain Jody Morris – Sky Sports

10.28

Rangers eyeing up a loan move for Fulham striker Marcello Trotta – Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle

10.24

Dundee United manager Peter Houston has stated categorically that Johnny Russell will still be a United player come the end of the transfer window tonight. Also added that he doesn’t expect any more comings or goings from the club.

10.23

Aberdeen set to complete the signing of Nigerian Under-23 international Danny Uchechi – Evening Express

10.22

Hearts have slapped a £1million price tag on David Templeton with Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and Rangers all swarming around the midfielder with a view to a move – The Scotsman

10.20

Hibernian have bid for Scunthorpe’s Northern Ireland defender Michael O’Connor, with Scunthorpe manager Alan Knill confirming this. – BBC Scotland

10.19

Inverness Caley midfielder Lee Cox has moved to Paulo Di Canio’s Swindon Town side for a fee of around £50,000 – STV Sport

10.17

Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic has agreed personal terms with Everton, with a medical pending ahead of his move to the English Premier League club – BBC Scotland

10.15

Livingston have announced that Mark Fotheringham and Maurice Ross are to leave now that their short-term contracts have expired and will become free agents.

10.12

Everton have agreed a fee with Rangers for top scorer Nikica Jelavic – Scotzine

The SPL seems to have become more pro-active, and this is illustrated by their disciplinary proceedings against Hearts this month. I thought that a closer look at the situation might be useful as regards future steps the SPL might take with a delinquent member.

The saga of Hearts and delayed wages to players has been running for a while. Indeed, I wrote about it on Scotzine some months ago. As delays continued, various players complained to the SPL. The wheels were then set in motion.

On 4th January 2012, the SPL issued a statement from which the following is extracted:-

“The SPL Board sub-committee has ordered December wages to be paid by 11 January. Interest on all sums overdue from October, November and December wages must also be paid by 11 January. January salaries must be paid on time on 16 January.”

Neil Doncaster, SPL Chief Executive, said: “Today’s decision demonstrates how seriously the SPL take late payments of wages to players.”

Matters then rested until 17th January, the day after the deadline for payment of January’s wages. The SPL leapt into immediate action, with the following statement being released:-

“The Scottish Premier League Board met this evening to consider the alleged failure by Heart of Midlothian FC to comply with the terms of the order made by the SPL on 4 January 2012 that the club pay the January wages due to the relevant players on the due date of 16 January 2012.

As a result, Heart of Midlothian FC are being charged under SPL Rule A3.1 with failing to behave with the utmost good faith to the SPL.”

The rule referred to is found within the SPL Rulebook and reads as follows:-

“A3.1 In all matters and transactions relating to the League and Company each Club shall behave towards each other Club and the Company with the utmost good faith.”

It strikes me as interesting that (a) the charge was one of failing to act with utmost good faith to the SPL, as the rule does not require the same good faith to players and (b) the phrase “utmost good faith” is used at all.

“Utmost good faith” or “uberrimae fidei” as we refer to it in the cafes of Hamilton, is a very specific legal doctrine. However, it is usually used in insurance law, rather than in other fields, like company law or employment law.

As the doctrine was defined by Lord Mansfield in 1766, “Good faith forbids either party by concealing what he privately knows, to draw the other into a bargain from his ignorance of that fact, and his believing the contrary”.

It is therefore very interesting that the SPL board considered that this was the clause under which to proceed against Hearts. One would think it more relevant to a situation where a club had failed to make a full and frank disclosure to the SPL. For example, if a Club failed to disclose to the SPL the existence of a second contract for their players over and above their basic agreement, that would be seen as a classic breach of the doctrine of “uberrimae fidei”.

The spectre of points deduction from Hearts was raised as a possibility.

Hearts reacted angrily to the charge laid against them, especially as their players had received their pay on 17th January. It was suggested that, having organised for the money to leave their bank on 16th January, that meant that the players would be paid the same day.

It is a pity that Hearts do not have any high-ranking officials who know how banks work…

Paulio Sergio, the Hearts manager, complained that threats of a points deduction would be penalising the players and would be “stupid”.

There is no news yet as to whether or not he might face a charge from the SPL for that comment. If he had made it about a referee, then he would probably be in the football version of the dock.

The SPL considered the matter on 27th January and released the following statement, which I quote in full:-

“The Scottish Premier League today announced that the charge against Heart of Midlothian FC for an alleged breach of SPL Rule A3.1 has been dismissed.

An SPL Board sub-committee determined that for the Club to have complied with the order of 4th January, it had to have the players’ wages in the players’ bank accounts and available for their use by not later than midnight on 16th January. In fact the wages did not reach the players’ bank accounts until the morning of 17th January.

However, the SPL Board sub-committee found that the Club’s directors believed that, by irrevocably instructing their bank on 16th January, that was sufficient to make payment and comply with the order.

Because the Club’s directors believed that they were complying with the order, Heart of Midlothian were acting in good faith.

Accordingly the charge against the Club was dismissed.

Notes
The SPL Board sub-committee comprised Neil Doncaster, SPL Chief Executive and Iain Blair, SPL Company Secretary and Operations Director.”

A couple of points arise from this which are of note.

As I mentioned, I find the use of the utmost good faith charge unusual. A charge of “bringing the game into disrepute” would normally have been what was brought. It seems odd that failure to pay one’s players repeatedly becomes, on this occasion, failure to act with good faith towards the SPL. The implication is that messing with the SPL is more serious than doing the same to one’s players.

As for “utmost good faith” between teams, it would be a surprise (although a pleasant one) if the members of the SPL have never fallen short of these standards amongst themselves.

It is also a concern that Mr Doncaster, as Chief Executive, is putting himself in a position where SPL disciplinary actions might be challenged on the grounds of fairness.

It appears that Mr Doncaster was a member of the sub-Committee which ordered payment of January’s wages by the 16th. He made the public statement quoted above expressing the SPL’s concern about late payment of players.

He may well have been a member of the Board which met and decided to “charge” Hearts for the alleged failure to show good faith to the SPL by not paying the players on time.

Finally he sat on the sub-committee which decided that case.

If Hearts had been penalised, I think that they would have had an excellent ground for challenging the decision on the basis that Mr Doncaster might not have had the appearance of being an impartial judge. He had earlier acted, one could say, as a judge, then as a prosecutor, and now was a judge again. I am not suggesting that he was anything less than
impartial, but as the courts have made clear repeatedly, justice must not only be done, but also be seen to be done.

The SPL might reconsider who sits on the panels to decide these issues, to avoid the risk of lengthy and expensive legal challenges in future.

As a final consideration, it will be interesting to see in future whether any other teams face this charge, and in what circumstances. It may be that Mr Doncaster views financial misdemeanours as falling foul of Rule A3.1. In which case we may well see more such cases to come.

Written by Paul McConville | Scots Law Thoughts

In Division One there are only thee games to be played and the chasing pack of Dundee and Falkirk will look on as Ross County will seek to make one of their games in hand count. At the other end Ayr’s semi final appearance means that both Raith and Queen of the South could capitalise and leave Ayr holding up the rest of the table albeit with many games in hand.

In Division Two Cowdenbeath are looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Forfar Athletic last week. With 5 points of a cushion already the Blue Brazil will want to get further ahead. The top two – Cowdenbeath and Arbroath – are far enough ahead that the real contest is below them as no fewer than seven clubs have realistic chances of making the play off places.

In Division Three Alloa and Annan Athletic – the two early front-runners – are now separated by 8 points as Harry Cairney’s side’s slump has seen them fall behind. So there are plenty of opportunities for the other teams around them to take advantage. The slump does not make his side a bad side but confidence must return or else the likes of Elgin and Berwick will take advantage. An intriguing contest…

 SFL DIVISION ONE

The league leaders will entertain a team that this time last year was chasing- ultimately successfully – their second promotion in two years in Ross County v Livingston. County do not have midfielder Paul Lawson or defenders Jonathon Flynn nor Marc Fitzpatrick. Livi have Mark Fotheringham back but it will be a tall order for Livingston to take the Dingwall men’s record of not losing at home this year so a home win is expected. New Douglas Park welcomes a relegation threatened team as Billy Reid hopes home advantage continues their revival as Hamilton Academical v Raith Rovers would see a Hamilton win put them in the top 4. For any other team to win this division apart from Ross County would take a collapse at Dingwall and more consistency than has been shown by Hamilton and the rest but this is the type of game Hamilton should win. Mark McLaughlin is in line to return to the centre of defence and with Alex Neil and Thomas Cerny also back in the line up they look far more solid than they had at the beginning of the season. Raith will be missing Scott McBride up front, defender Dougie Hill and Brian Graham. Looks like another home win to me.

Finally in the First Division, Queen of the South v Greenock Morton sees a repeat of the fixture that earlier in the season saw top being thumped by the bottom 4-1. Sam Parkin is expected to make his debut for Queens as Marc McCusker and Kevin Smith are both out. Also unavailable are Stephen McKenna and Craig Reid. For Morton there will be no Thomas O’Ware joining Stuart McCaffrey and Ross Forsyth already out. It is hoped that Grant Evans will come through a late fitness test to make it for the Greenock men. Hard one to call as both will desperately be seeking the win so may end up being a draw.

SFL DIVISION TWO

The Division Two league leaders head into Cowdenbeath v Albion Rovers after their defeat last week away to Forfar Athletic hoping to make amends and give themselves a bigger cushion at the top. There are hopes they will sign SPL youngster Gary Fisher on loan from KIllie for this game whilst Colin Cameron is out as well as defender Thomas O’Brien. Paul Martin’s side lost during the week making it 5 defeats in a row.  They await news on Goalkeeper Derek Galston and defender Alan Reid whilst the injury list is long and concerning. Rovers need to stop the rot before it becomes more serious and this could be a cracker of a tie. Unfortunately for Albion it may be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Second place Arbroath travel across the country to battle Jim Weir’s side in an attempt to gain some ground on Cowdenbeath in Brechin City v Arbroath. Graham Weir is an absentee for the home side and Rory McKenzie is another Killie youngster looking to go out on loan – this time at Glebe Park. Also out for Brechin are Gerry McLachlan and Derek Carcary as Brechin look to try to get back into the play off spots. Arbroath won 6-1 last weekend so hopes will be high that they can maintain that level of form and performance. Injuries keep out goalkeeper Michael White and Jordan Elfverson but Paul Sheerin will manage to put up a fight at Glebe that should see them through with another 3 points, putting more pressure on Cowdenbeath. Third positioned Stenhousemuir have a difficult home game in Stenhousemuir v East Fife with Eric Paton, Stevie Murray and Iain Thomson back along with Motherwell loanee Gary Smith likely to make his debut. That would have made them confident until the news that experienced defender Martyn Corrigan is out. East Fife are missing Darren McCormack and Ryan Wallace. This is a vital clash for both teams though the dismal recent form of Stenhousemuir should end soon… shouldn’t it?

With Forfar Athletic v Dumbarton late fitness tests are being given to David Mowat, Martyn Fotheringham and Iain Campbell.  Forfar’s week has mirrored their season as they beat the league leaders last weekend then lost a 2 goal lead against Stirling midweek to draw. Dumbarton are awaiting news of the fitness of influential midfielder Scott Agnew with doubts also over striker Pat Walker and Ryan Finnie. Dumbarton have been dogged this season with a tough season that may end up with them in a play off place by the skin of their teeth or sit outside it dependant upon whether they can find a bit of form. A tough ask for both to win today but I do think Dumbarton could be returning with a win in hand. Finally Airdrie United v Stirling Albion has one of those conundrums that ends up on trivia games. Cameron MacDonald was sent off last week for Airdrie United but will not serve his ban because he wasn’t signed! So he plays today as a trialist. On loan goalkeeper Grant Adam is also in the squad but Jimmy Boyle will be without Kevin Green and Kieron Stallard. The Binos have signed Graham Weir on loan from Brechin to help their bid to stay in the division. Sam Filler is the only player unavailable to Greig McDonald as he attempts to continue his impressive starts as the Binos’ boss. Jimmy Boyle may just have enough though to make this a home win.

SFL DIVISION THREE

League leaders, Alloa Athletic are at home today against a misfiring side that needs the win. Alloa Athletic v Montrose will see Ross McKinnon – on loan from Motherwell – in for a debut whilst Kevin McHattie has returned to Hearts. Both Ross and Ryan McCord are injured and beating Stranraer 4-0 last week must be a boost rather than allowing Paul Hartley’s side to relax. Montrose are without David Di Milta for this clash and Ray Farningham is looking for better application from his team. It’s a difficult rather than impossible tie for the Division Three leaders and I think it could be an interesting result… For second Place Stranraer they are also at home as Stranraer v Elgin City sees the return of Chris Aitken to the south west side. The game passed a 7am inspection so Elgin travel with Paul Millar a doubt, Paul Kaczan, Blair Lawrie and Steven Edwards out. Stranraer should therefore recover from their 4-0 mauling last weekend.

Up north Peterhead v Queens Park has Scott Ross suspended for the home side but Jim McInally has moved Paul Watson, Alan Rattray and Aaron Conway out to the Juniors. Both teams are in form and a good contest is expected. Queens Park are without Paul Stewart, Jamie Brough and David Murray and are wary of this long trek. I think it may be a fruitless task and Peterhead will continue their revival.  Annan Athletic v East Stirlingshire has Harry Cairney hoping to have a familiar trialist in David Winters for the last time but there has been interest from elsewhere for the experienced player. Sean O’Connor and Aaron Muirhead will face late fitness tests whilst Graeme Bell and John MacBeth are out. Annan are faltering and need the win. East Stirling are looking for their first away win of the season and John Coughlin has not got problems to seek. Home win anyone?

Finally Clyde v Berwick Rangers sees the home side without defenders Gavin Brown and Declan Gallacher though Iain Gray is available. Berwick are missing striker Daniel Lavery and midfielder Kevin McDonald whilst defender Chris McLeod and midfielder Ross Gray are back. Both are desperate for a win so it may end up a draw…

Ayr United’s preparations have had BODOG owner Calvin Ayre send a public video of support, Somerset Boab do an anthem that zoomed up the charts and the usual rumours of SPL stars coming to play for this one game. But who WILL play?

Kevin Cuthbert will be in nets with Ryan McWilliams on the bench. The defence is likely to include Eddie Malone, Chris Smith, veteran of the last successful Cup campaign 10 years ago – John Robertson and young Jonathon Tiffoney. Martyn Campbell is a long-term injury victim in defence. The midfield shall probably revert to the 5 in the middle that could include two youngsters on loan from Blackpool – Adam Dodd and Liam Tomsett – though boss Brian Reid has vowed to keep faith with regular squad team members who have helped Ayr get this far in the Cup. With Alan Trouten out this should mean Andy Geggan, Michael McGowan and Michael Moffat across the middle accompanied by one of the two loanees and either Ross Robertson or Jamie McKernon. Odds on Dodd and McKernon.

Up front there will likely be one starting place. The 4-5-1 beat Inverness, Hearts and St Mirren so choose from Mark Roberts – ironically in the stand for Kilmarnock’s 1997 Cup triumph against Falkirk – Gareth Wardlaw or Tam McManus. Whatever happens in the tie let’s all hope people remember why it is that we all watch the beautiful game and occasions like this are special because they are rare. Playing 4 times a year would spoil that eh?

Despite this failure to reach a deadline imposed by the SPL, the club will not face further sanctions.

The SPL issued a statement this afternoon:

The Scottish Premier League today announced that the charge against Heart of Midlothian FC for an alleged breach of SPL Rule A3.1 has been dismissed.

An SPL Board sub-committee determined that for the Club to have complied with the order of 4th January, it had to have the players’ wages in the players’ bank accounts and available for their use by not later than midnight on 16th January. In fact the wages did not reach the players’ bank accounts until the morning of 17th January.

However, the SPL Board sub-committee found that the Club’s directors believed that, by irrevocably instructing their bank on 16th January, that was sufficient to make payment and comply with the order.

Because the Club’s directors believed that they were complying with the order, Heart of Midlothian were acting in good faith.

Accordingly the charge against the Club was dismissed.

© Kirk O’Rourke | Rangers Charity Foundation

A host of Rangers greats will entertain AC Milan Glorie in a glamour charity match at Ibrox Stadium on Friday 30 March 2012 with the Rangers Charity Foundation and AC Milan Foundation set to benefit from the match and a Legends Dinner at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow on Thursday 29 March 2012.

The Rangers Charity Foundation has arranged two unique events that are sure to capture the imagination of the Light Blue legions as some of the finest players ever to feature for Rangers and Serie A giants AC Milan will pull on their boots once again for charity.

The Rangers Legends side – managed by Walter Smith and captained by Richard Gough – will feature fans’ favourites including Ally McCoist, Mark Hateley, Andy Goram, Lorenzo Amoruso, Jorg Albertz, Michael Mols and Arthur Numan. AC Milan Glorie will field a team drawn from a host of world-class names such as Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Jean-Pierre Papin, Frank Rijkaard, Christian Panucci, Gianluigi Lentini and Zvonimir Boban.

Rangers Manager Ally McCoist commented: “This is a fantastic initiative by the Rangers Charity Foundation and I know the match and charity dinner will really appeal to our supporters.

“It will be a pleasure to pull on the boots once again at Ibrox and it will be all the more special as I will be playing with lifelong friends against an AC Milan squad that features some of the greatest players every to grace a football pitch.

“It should be a fantastic few days in March and I know our supporters will turn out in huge numbers to support the work of the Charity Foundation.”

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi commented: “I am extremely pleased to announce that I will captain the AC Milan Glorie team against Rangers Legends at Ibrox. I know our squad is excited and looking forward to visiting Scotland and playing in front of the Rangers supporters. Rangers fans are known to be very knowledgeable and passionate about their football and we are expecting a capacity crowd on the night with a fantastic atmosphere inside the stadium.

“The Rangers Legends team is full of great players and the Milan Glorie team will include a selection of our best known players so we are all expecting a competitive match. At the same time we will be raising funds for two very good causes in the Rangers Charity Foundation and our own AC Milan Charity Foundation.”

Rangers legend Mark Hateley, who also represented AC Milan with distinction between 1984 and 1987, joined Ally McCoist at today’s launch at Murray Park, commenting: “This is a terrific match for the Rangers fans to enjoy and I am looking forward to renewing old friendships with some of the players I had the pleasure of playing alongside in the 80s and 90s.

“Like Rangers, Milan is a fantastic club and some of the men who will feature at Ibrox are among the true greats of world football. The Rangers Charity Foundation and AC Milan Foundation are set to benefit and I am sure fans will pack Ibrox and back the work of the Foundation once again.”

Tickets for the Legends Dinner at the Radisson Blu on Thursday 29 March 2012 are now on sale for £100 each, or £1,000 for a table of ten, and can be booked by contacting the Rangers Charity Foundation on 0141 580 8775 or by e-mailing rangerscharity@rangers.co.uk. The dinner, hosted by Jim White, will provide an opportunity to meet some of the stars taking part in the game and hear interviews and anecdotes, as well as enjoying a sumptuous 3 course meal and wine.

Tickets for the match on the evening of Friday 30 March 2012 will be available for purchase to season ticket holders from Monday 20 February and will go on public sale a week later on Monday 27 February. Adult tickets cost £10 each, with concession/children’s tickets costing £5 each.

Rangers have made the news for all kinds of reasons this season but I think the club should be applauded for arranging such a match with such legends of Italian football and also keeping the admission prices reasonable so that families can attend the match.

With an occasion such as this at Ibrox and the legends that will be on show, surely Ibrox will be bursting at the seams and I am sure that it will not only be Rangers fans in attendance, hopefully many FOOTBALL fans will go and watch the legends of AC Milan, many of whom we have growing up watching on TV over the years and for the price of £10 or £5, it would be worth it not only to see the greats from both sides but also to give money to two worthwhile causes.

I know where I want to spend my 44th Birthday if I am lucky enough to get a ticket!

He extended his deal with Danny Lennon’s side and soon after was named club captain.

Goodwin started his career at fellow SPL side Celtic, before moving to Stockport County in 2002 after failing to make the grade at Parkhead. In 2005 he moved to Scunthorpe for three years before he signed for Huddersfield, before going on loan to Oldham Athletic and then subsequently signed a six month deal with Hamilton Accies in the summer of 2010.

This season, Goodwin has made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Buddies, scoring twice.

Hibernian were linked with a move for the defender, but Goodwin intimated that there was a lot of unfinished business at the Paisley side.

He said: “I believe that there is a lot of unfinished business to be done here and I want to be a part of the future success of St Mirren.

“I went to speak to Hibs because I thought they deserved the respect of me going there to at least listen to what they had to say. I went and spoke with their manager Pat Fenlon, who is a real gentleman, and it was an interesting conversation but my decision to stay with St Mirren was based on the relationship I have here with the manager and Tommy Craig, as well as the chairman and directors.

He added: “As flattered as I am by the interest from Hibs and other teams, I think I owed St Mirren my loyalty and I’m delighted to have signed for another two years.”

The 29-year-old moved to Pittodrie from Plymouth Argyle in July, but has already established himself as an important first team player. This was further enhanced by his goal last weekend in the 1-1 draw with Rangers at Ibrox.

A clubs spokesperson said: “We made Kari an exceptionally good offer. However, the player believes he can earn a better deal elsewhere. He is crucial to our plans for the remainder of the current campaign, both in terms of climbing up the SPL table and enjoying a fruitful run in the Scottish Cup.”

The midfielder’s lawyer David Winnie said: “We are very disappointed we have not been able to reach an agreement.”

The IRN-BRU Scottish Football League First Division match between Livingston and Hamilton Academical will now take place on Friday 16th March 2012, kick-off 7.45 p.m at The Braidwood Motor Company Stadium, Livingston. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday 17th March, 2012.

Previous games on a Friday night have been a hit with both the players and supporters, as numbers have been up in the matches played so far, Partick Thistle v Morton, Aberdeen v Dunfermline and Hamilton v Partick Thistle.

Having sampled the atmosphere at Firhill in a match where the Jags won 5-0, I can recommend Friday night football!

Friday night matches are no stranger to football clubs in England as we have seen in the past and now even this Friday week we see an attractive looking FA Cup tie between Everton and Fulham changed to a Friday (and I don’t think it is live on TV) as Liverpool are playing Manchester United the next day in an earlier kick off for live TV.

Clubs all over Europe are playing their football on a Friday and enjoying it, it seems that now (the people who matter) the fans are giving this experiment the thumbs up also.

Fingers crossed we see more of this in the future and that more SPL clubs and even Second and Third Division clubs get a chance to sample the Friday night experience.