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March 1 (Reuters) - Scottish Cup fifth round replay fixture (time GMT).

Playing on Wednesday Celtic v Rangers (1945)

(Compiled by Infostrada Sports; Editing by Toby Davis)

Labels: fixture, Reuters, Scottish

BARRY SMITH'S 10-man Dundee stretched their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games - and gave the gaffer the perfect birthday gift.

Sean higgins' first-half header was enough to wrap up the points in a feisty clash.

And it dashed Binos boss Jocky scott's bid to put one over the club who sacked him last year when they were clear at the top of Division One.

Dundee had gary irvine red carded for a challenge on stirling captain ross forsyth but have now defied their 25-point deduction to reach seventh spot.

However, manager smith - who turned 37 yesterday - insists they are not out of danger. And he called on his troops to continue their fine run of form.

Smith said: "There are still a lot of points to play for and stirling have games in hand.

"We have to keep playing the way we are. But at this stage it's just another three points.

"All we are looking to do is get in a position where we are safe.

We dominated the first half but stirling came out and put us under a lot of pressure even before we went down to 10 men so credit to them."

Irvine saw red and seven others were booked.

On his man's dismissal, smith said: "i didn't see if it was twofooted.

The ref made his decision - that's what he's there for."

Stirling suffered a setback in just 10 minutes when Greg McDonald - playing his first game of the year after injury - was stretchered off with an Achilles problem.

But they had the best chance to take the lead.

Michael Doyle swung over a corner that was met by the head of on-loan hearts striker gordon smith.

it looked a goal all the way until Nicky riley stepped in to clear off the line.

And Binos were made to pay in 35 minutes as higgins netted a superb header from Matt Lockwood's cross from the left. it almost got worse for stirling but stephen O'Neill's rocket was stopped by scott Christie.

At the other end rab Douglas saved Dundee with a brilliant one-handed save from a Chris Aitken free-kick that looked destined for the back of the net.

Six minutes after the break Stephen O'Donnell sent over a corner from the left but Craig Forsyth's glancing header went wide to the relief of the home support.

But stirling weren't dead yet and began applying pressure.

Michael Mullen could have equalised when his shot from a smith reverse pass flew over.

In 64 minutes irvine was red-carded for his meaty challenge on forsyth.

And there was another flashpoint in 73 minutes when Douglas and Doyle were booked after a clash that also involved Dundee's rhys Weston.

Albion huffed and puffed but lacked a cutting edge and the Dens men held on.

Scott said: "Big rab had his normal three our four excellent saves. had he not we might have got something out of the game.

"The effort, commitment and attitude were different class.

"I can't fault them and i see a big improvement from day one. As long we keep improving it will give us a better chance to put points on the board.

"The biggest problem we have right now is scoring goals."

MoM: Higgins (Dundee)

Labels: daily, Division, Dundee, Record, Scottish, Stirling

MISSION accomplished for Celtic as they went eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the table ... and how Aberdeen players must hate the sight of Neil Lennon's side.

They've now lost a remarkable 17 goals to the Hoops in their last four meetings and having to face them with 10 men for all but 80 seconds after Andrew Considine's dismissal proved too much.

A first-half strike by Gary Hooper was followed up by goals from Mark Wilson and Anthony Stokes as Neil Lennon's men rampaged through the defence after a second-half lull.

The manager could even afford to blood 18-year-old defender Lewis Toshney before the end.

The partnership of Wilson and Charlie Mulgrew in central defence is makeshift but has yet to experience a stern test of their capabilities.

Rivals Rangers will surely ask more questions in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox on Sunday.

But Lennon would be content that a night that yielded such high reward included no mishaps as the season reaches boiling point.

The Hoops' season of conflict with officialdom has led to them hiring a QC to represent their interests but they went north with another kind of legal matter in mind. Sod's Law.

Three league and cup wins over Aberdeen this season tempted fate to deliver them a losing blow when they least needed it. And three players, Wilson, Beram Kayal and skipper Scott Brown, were one booking away from a suspension that would put them out of the league clash with Rangers on February 20.

Another unwanted complication for Lennon. What the manager could not have anticipated was a missed penalty from his side and Aberdeen being reduced to 10 men after just 80 seconds.

Hooper's astute pass picked out Brown and his run in on keeper Jamie Langfield's goal was interrupted by a challenge from Andrew Considine.

The referee considered the home player to be the last defender and sent him off before Stokes hit his penalty too close to Langfield and allowed the Dons No.1 a save.

Intensity

Aberdeen were a man down and a break up while the game was still in its infancy but they couldn't take advantage of the situation and fell a goal behind after 12 minutes.

Kris Commons fed the ball to Hooper and he set off on a run towards goal that involved a one-two with Stokes and a lethal finish as the Englishman slipped the ball beyond the advancing Langfield.

Commons' growing influence on the match was enough to see his youthful marker, Ryan Jack, removed after only 16 minutes. Derek Young took his place in a tactical switch to bolster the defence.

David McNamee was then replaced by new signing from Norwich, Steven Smith, as the Dons' back four lost half of its original personnel before a quarter of the game had elapsed.

The early setbacks saw a depleted Aberdeen defending increasingly higher up the pitch and inviting their rivals on to them.

Young was booked for a foul on Commons 14 minutes after getting on as a sub to illustrate the intensity of the pressure his side was under.

Then midfielder Rob Milsom was forced to clear the ball off the line from Stokes following a scramble that had arisen from a corner.

When Kayal struck the post with an angular drive that had beaten Langfield after 40 minutes it was visual proof of the first half having been a one-sided affair.

The meagre margin of Celtic's lead was one of a few surprises contained within an eventful opening period, even if visiting keeper Fraser Forster was forced to make belated stops from Chris Maguire and Scott Vernon in a spirited finale from Craig Brown's boys.

Celtic's need was to translate their dominance into a winning margin and they might have done so five minutes after the restart when Hooper strong-armed his way through and laid the ball on a plate for Commons.

But he blasted the ball over the bar from a tight angle after dwelling too long on his opportunity.

The longer the game went on in that vein the better for Aberdeen as they searched for a chance to punish Celtic while making light of their numerical disadvantage.

Anguish

Vernon was booked for a foul on Hooper and Maguire cautioned for a block on Wilson while the search for equality went on and Milsom tried his luck with a long-range shot struck more in hope than expectation.

It was remarkable that Celtic had been playing 10 men for all but the first minute of the game and yet had grown less of a threat.

Twenty minutes into the second period Lennon decided it was time for a fresh approach. Paddy McCourt went on in place of Kayal but before the fans' cult hero could touch the ball Commons had the miss that denied Celtic relief from their worries of a sucker-punch.

He rounded Langfield and had only to slip the ball into the empty net but his attempt from a tight angle hit the upright and went behind.

It was anguish for the Celtic player and the cue for derision from the Aberdeen fans who were starting to believe there might be respite from their run of bad luck against their bogey team.

Their dreams were dashed when Wilson got the simplest of goals to put Celtic two in front 15 minutes from time. Commons' corner was inch perfect and the defender rose unchallenged at the front post to bury a powerful header into net.

Stokes put the outcome beyond any doubt with a shot that beat the Dons keeper low at the same corner three minutes later.

Labels: Aberdeen, Celtic, Daily, Record, Scottish

Former Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood admits he could stay at Ross County for the long term after being appointed manager until the end of the season.

Calderwood has been unveiled after Willie McStay was removed from his post, having failed to win any of his nine games in charge.

Calderwood has been without a job since saving Kilmarnock from relegation in a short-term post last season and has been handed the same target by the Irn-Bru First Division side's chairman, Roy MacGregor.

Calderwood told BBC Scotland: "I was obviously out the game this season, there were a few things that I thought might be happening, all abroad, and never materialised. I'm not one for sitting about the house.

"People that have been up here and I have a lot of respect for, Craig Brewster, Alex Smith, Dick Campbell, they always spoke very highly of the club, the set-up and facilities.

"The chairman is a very successful businessman but his enthusiasm and plans for the club are very exciting.

"We'll have a look at each other until the end of the season and we'll see what happens.

"It gets me out training again, which is what I love. It's my life and it's difficult being on the outside looking in."

Labels: Premier, Scottish, Sportinglifecom

Juventus are poised to make a £5m move for Tottenham Hotspur's Scotland defender, Alan Hutton. (The People)

Scotland were given fresh hope that James McCarthy may switch allegiance when Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said the midfielder would reject Giovanni Trapattoni's attempt to cap him in Ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia next month. (Scotland on Sunday)

Scotland coach Craig Levein is refusing to give up hope of Wigan midfielder James McCarthy changing his allegiance from Republic of Ireland. (Sunday Herald)

Hamilton chairman Ronnie MacDonald, whose club will cash in when James McCarthy plays a competitive international, thinks the Wigan midfielder will remain Republic of Ireland despite being linked with a change of heart to play for Scotland. (News of the World)

Neil Lennon says he once considered stripping Scott Brown of the Celtic captaincy but is glad he stood by the midfielder and now wants to hand the Scotland international a bumper new contract. (Sunday Mail)

Recent Rangers signing El Hadji Diouf has been banned by the club from nightclubbing in Glasgow after a fight started when a club supporter thought another clubber was pestering the on-loan Blackburn forward. (News of the World)

Scotland defender Danny Wilson says he would have been stupid to accept Celtic's offer of a loan move last month after having been a Rangers player from his youth until his transfer to Liverpool. (Various)

Scotland forward Chris Maguire has told Aberdeen to make him an offer he can't refuse to keep him beyond the summer, when his present contract ends. (News of the World)

New Scotland cap Chris Maguire has laughed off suggestions he has rejected the chance to become Aberdeen's highest-paid player and says money will not determine whether he stays at Pittodrie this summer. (Sunday Mail)

Kevin Doyle has urged Wolves strike partner Steven Fletcher to heal his rift with Scotland coach Craig Levein. (News of the World)

Celtic striker Gary Hooper looks like being thwarted in his attempt to play for Scotland after documents showed that his grandfather, William, had been registered in Berwick as English. (Sunday Mail)

Scotland midfielder Barry Bannan has been told by manager Gerard Houllier that he will not be allowed to leave on loan despite recently losing his first-team place with Aston Villa. (Sunday Mail)

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has blamed a loss of confidence for Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon for his side's 2-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur. (News of the World)

Jamie Ness was poised to join Clyde, sitting bottom of Scotland's Third Division, until he broke into Rangers' first-team. (Various)

Kevin McDonald has joined Notts County on loan from Burnley for the rest of the season. (Sunday Mail)

Barnsley and Scotland defender Jay McEveley's return to action following knee injury has been delayed another month. (Sunday Mail)

New Motherwell signing Francis Jeffers rejected an offer from Major League Soccer in the USA to join the Fir Park club. (News of the World)

St Johnstone are bringing in a team of specialists on Monday in a bid to avoid more postponements after their match against Aberdeen became the fifth to be called off this season at McDiarmid Park. (Various)

Scottish super-bantomweight champion Davey Savage Jnr wants a rematch after last night losing his unbeaten record to Newcastle's Dougie Curran in Liverpool. (Scotland on Sunday)

Labels: gossip, Scottish, Sundayaposs

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies can only see positives at Tynecastle after his quest to claim third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League got back on track with a 2-0 win at Hamilton.

After a 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in their last outing, a Stephen Elliott double got the Jambos back on track to go 15 points ahead of fourth-placed Kilmarnock, who lost to Hibernian.

A comfortable win in Lanarkshire was achieved despite Jefferies being unable to call on strikers Kevin Kyle, Calum Elliot and David Obua, with Ryan Stevenson restricted to a bench appearance due to flu.

The former Killie boss is keeping his fingers crossed that he will have all four players fit soon to add to a squad which has been boosted by the recent return of Andrew Driver, who made another substitute appearance following his recovery from a thigh tear.

Jefferies had the added bonus of Scotland defender Andy Webster making his second debut for the club after re-signing on transfer deadline day.

"We have been talking about getting third place and it's 15 points which is a big gap," the Gorgie boss said.

"After that we can enjoy it because there is no pressure on us if we can't go any lower. If we achieve that early then it will be fantastic.

"Ryan Stevenson was unwell and couldn't make it but we decided to put him on the bench.

"Driver is short of match fitness, he needs to get 90 minutes but he is a quality player and I thought Webster looked as if he had never been away

"We will assess Kyle on Monday after he gets an injection (for groin injury), Calum Elliot (knee) should be back training next week, big Obua should be okay and Ryan Stevenson will shake off the flu."

Bottom side Accies are five points behind St Mirren but have a game in hand over the Paisley club.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid claimed that there had been no threat from the visitors until Elliott had headed the opener in the 22nd minute from a Lee Wallace cross, which was true.

However, there was little entertainment for the New Douglas Park supporters who have not seen their side win a home league game this season.

Consequently, a band of Accies fans in a crowd of 2,876 again showed their disgruntlement, especially at the break when the players were given stick as they headed down the tunnel after a first half in which the home side's defensive formation saw them simply surrender possession to Hearts.

While defender David Elebert admitted that the last thing the players need to hear was boos and jeers, Reid said: "When you are losing games at home you are going to get that from any supporters.

"I think they are pretty fair to be honest with you.

"We have not won a game at home and they are paying their money.

"They want to see a winning team and if they want to shout at me then no problem.

"But it was a wee bit disappointing when Marco Paixao comes on the park as substitute and there is a bit of huffing and puffing but I thought his attitude was brilliant."

Reid continued: "I am trying to take the positives out of the game. I thought we played pretty well in the second half.

"There are two schools of thought - it's easy to play when you are 2-0 down, or sometimes you can fold.

"But I thought some of our one-touch play was excellent.

"We have to go and win games and we certainly did try to do that in the second half."

Labels: Premier, Scottish, Sportinglifecom

Scotland could hardly have been presented with a tougher start to their 2011 Six Nations Championship campaign than travelling to Paris for a meeting with the French. Yet there have been enough demonstrations in the past of the Scots rising to the challenge, when confronted with the might of Les Bleus and here we highlight five famous victories, both at Murrayfield and on Gallic soil.

1986: Scotland 18-17 France

The hosts handed debuts to six players, including the now-legendary figures of Gavin and Scott Hastings, Finlay Calder and David Sole and, oblivious to the visitors scoring an early touchdown through their redoubtable scrum-half, Pierre Berbizier, Gavin Hastings recovered from a torrid baptism to kick six penalties and ensure that his side repelled the challenge of powerful opponents, for whom Philippe Sella also secured a touchdown.

"It was a memorable experience and the crowd helped us in the closing stages," recalls Gavin, who enjoyed a number of successes against France.

1990: Scotland 21-0 France

This was the second of the Scots' four triumphs, en route to the Grand Slam, but they struggled to reach these exalted standards during a tepid first half and led just 3-0 at the interval, courtesy of a Hastings penalty.

However, with the French flanker, Alain Carminati, being sent off early in the second period, the hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage and gradually, inexorably, turned the screw as their rivals tired.

Finlay Calder seized a try - emulating the feat of his brother, Jim, who crossed against France during the 1984 Grand Slam success - as the prelude to Craig Chalmers slotting the conversion and doing likewise when Iwan Tukalo applied the coup de grace with the game's second touchdown.

The Scots eventually finished as comfortable winners and subsequently beat Ireland in Dublin and England in Edinburgh to gain their hallowed prize.

1995: France 21-23 Scotland

The Scots hadn't won in Paris for 26 years and seemed to be slipping to yet another close-fought defeat as the clock ticked down towards the denouement. But suddenly, almost out of nowhere, Gregor Townsend produced his now-famous "Toony Flip", caught the French entirely off their guard, and unleashed Gavin Hastings for a clear run to the line as the sprinkling of Scots inside the Parc des Princes screamed themselves hoarse.

Hastings' try only levelled the scores and the Watsonians full-back had to compose himself to kick the conversion. But when he did, it sparked a marvellous evening of celebrations and Gavin joked later that he was just glad there were finally colour pictures of Scotland succeeding in Paris.

1999: France 22-36 Scotland

This was one of the most glorious afternoons in the history of Scottish rugby: an occasion when the visitors ran in tries from all areas of the Stade de France with such joie de vivre that even the home support could scarce forbear to cheer.

They shrugged off the concession of a first-minute touchdown for Thomas Castaignede and subsequently ripped through their opponents to score five tries in a mesmerising opening half. Martin Leslie notched two of these, as did the tough-as-teak Scotland centre, Alan Tait, and Gregor Townsend also dazzled on a glorious spring day in Paris.

It was 33-22 at the interval and although the match quietened down thereafter, Kenny Logan added a penalty to ensure there would be no recovery from the hosts. "We wanted to play a wide game, the sort of game they used to such good effect against us at Murrayfield last year," said the winning captain, Gary Armstrong. "It worked and we cut through them like a knife through butter." And, with Wales beating England 24 hours later, the Scots won the last-ever Five Nations title.

2006: Scotland 20-16 France

In advance, the visitors to Murrayfield had been red-hot favourites to lift the Six Nations, but France were brought crashing back to earth through a combination of Scottish flair and brawny panache and their own mistakes.

At one stage, the home side, bolstered by two fine tries from their winger, Sean Lamont, led by 20-3, with the likes of Dan Parks and Mike Blair providing sterling contributions. The Scotland supporters were left biting their nails towards the end, with Julien Bonnaire and Sebastien Bruno both scoring tries to reduce the deficit, as their pack's pressure finally reaped dividends.

However, Frank Hadden's men retained their composure to gain their first win over the French in Edinburgh for a decade and the coach later chastised: "those who are still mud-slinging at Dan Parks" and told them to “have a look at themselves.”

Labels: France, rugby, Scottish, stvtv