Scottish Football / John Girvan / 11 September 2009 / Leave a comment

Scotland's failure to reach the World Cup play-offs was agonising for the likes of Scott Brown and Kenny Miller writes John Girvan, but they can put their woes behind them by securing SPL victories this weekend.

"It all makes for a more enjoyable game than has perhaps taken place here recently between these sides and we might just see a few goals."

Celtic's 1-0 win at Easter Road in the last round of SPL matches was costly. Hibs have made a promising start to the season but they failed to even threaten to get on the score sheet and shipped 3pts all in one go. It wasn't a complete disaster however as Dundee United obliged at home to Falkirk the day earlier whilst Rangers made light work of the two goal handicap over Hamilton.

Profit/Loss: +7.27pts

Scotland's failure to secure second place in Group 9 of the World Cup Qualifiers is a major disappointment. The final two games were a bit more like it in terms of the performance but the damage was already done. When it comes down to it we should really have beaten Norway at home and be eagerly anticipating the play-offs.

It wasn't to be however and the immediate challenge for the likes of Scott Brown and Kenny Miller is to get over the international agony with an SPL victory.

It's a tough task for both this weekend, especially Miller, whose Rangers side travel to Lanarkshire on Saturday for a Sky Sports lunch time clash with Motherwell. The Gers haven't lost here since Boxing Day 2002 but they have drawn with The Steelmen in each of their last three league visits. The pitch, it could be argued, could have played its part in this, having been in an awful state for a couple of years now, but the surface has been re-laid and is said to be in excellent condition.

Rangers welcome Kevin Thomson back into the squad after suspension. Kyle Lafferty was due back also but the Ulsterman came off injured in the Poland match after slipping one under Old Firm rival Artur Boruc. It's anticipated that loan signing Jerome Rothen, Walter Smith's first of any kind for 12 months, will start on the left. The Frenchman is keen to play on the Champions League stage once again so with his new side travelling to Stuttgart next week he will have to hit the ground running to remain involved.

Jim Gannon's side have enjoyed a respectable start to the season with a home win over Kilmarnock sandwiched between draws at both McDiarmid Park and Pittodrie. There are some fresh young faces at Fir Park this season and this will be a big test as to whether they can handle it and get Motherwell back in the top six again.

It all makes for a more enjoyable game than has perhaps taken place here recently between these sides and we might just see a few goals. Rangers have started strongly this season and should oblige at [1.58] in the Match Odds. The International break dictates that the Asian Handicap is probably best avoidable. Rangers -1 is on offer at [1.99] but with Over 2.5 goals trading at [1.83] it would make for more comfortable viewing should Motherwell grab a goal.

Like Rangers recent trips to Fir Park, Dundee United's visits to Celtic Park have yielded several draws of late. United might not have won here since the 1992/93 season but they have left the East End of Glasgow with a point an impressive four times in their last six visits. The Terrors have enjoyed a positive start to their season and Danny Cadamarteri has more than played his part. The Clydesdale Bank player of the month for August scored both goals in a 2-1 debut win over Hearts and bagged another in the home victory over Falkirk. Celtic Park is the kind of challenge a player who once starred in a Merseyside derby will surely relish.

It's a tough proposition for United as a whole however as Celtic have negotiated two tricky away ties thus far and remain unscathed. [1.28] in the Match Odds is a little short but the record should remain intact come Saturday evening. Craig Levein's men have caused Celtic problems in the past however, they should do so on Saturday also and if, like me, you fancy them to get on the score sheet then Dundee United +1.5 in the Asian Handicap is worth backing at [2.07].

ESPN bring the weekend's action to a close with Aberdeen's visit to the Falkirk Stadium on Monday night and it might just pay to follow a trend of very few goals. Eddie May is yet to pick a point as Bairns boss and Mark McGhee is rebuilding his sides confidence after a troublesome start. It makes for a fourth consecutive low scoring match and on this basis there is value in the [2.98] on offer for Under 1.5 goals.

Recommendations:

Rangers v Motherwell: Over 2.5 goals @ [1.83] (1pt)

Dundee United +1.5 @ [2.07] (1pt)

Falkirk v Aberdeen: Under 1.5 goals @ [2.98] (1pt)

Rangers/Celtic multiple @ [1.94] (2pts)

Tags: Aberdeen, Celtic, Celtic Park, Craig Levein, Dundee United, Kenny Miller, Mark McGhee, Rangers, Scott Brown, SPL Betting