Scottish football as it happened

Two Scottish Cup quarter final ties, two SPL games including a Highland derby to get our collective teeth into and we kick everything off with Rangers at home to East Stirling in Division Three...

It's proved a turbulent week, with all shades of opinion expressed, analysed and digested following Lord Nimmo Smith's investigation into alleged undisclosed payments by Rangers.

The company that formerly ran the club was fined £250,000 by the commission but were not stripped of any titles.

And the commission found that no sporting advantage was enjoyed by the Ibrox club.

Back to matters on the pitch, and kick off at Ibrox is at noon.

Offer your views on a turbulent week via text to 80295 with SPL in your message. And you can tweet the commentary using the hashtag #bbcsportscot and message me @bbcthomasmcg

Rangers Chief Executive Charles Green, speaking ahead of this afternoon's game, says the comments from Celtic on the SPL Commission ruling were both ''ill-timed and inappropriate".

Celtic said they were ''surprised'' that the panel led by Lord Nimmo Smith ruled there was no competitive advantage gained from the non-disclosure of payments to players over a 10-year period.

St Mirren host Celtic in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup - kick off at 12:45 GMT - with Buddies boss Danny Lennon looking to complete a double over their opponents.

The Buddies beat Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final in January, with Lennon insisting that "lightning can strike twice".

The romance of the cup is something very special for us and hopefully we can progress," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"We're having a terrific run."

Lennon is unfazed that his side go into the side as underdogs, despite winning their League Cup tie at Hampden two months ago.

"We're going to face the best team in the country and will have to be at our best," he said.

"Many so-called experts have already written us off and say that lightning can't strike twice but it can; it's rare but it happens.

"These are the same experts that said we couldn't go to Hampden and beat Celtic in the League Cup semi-final but we did that.

"The last time we played, we were more than a match for them and we can take great confidence from that."

Rangers threaten in the opening minute, Andy Little spinning his marker on the edge of the area before firing a shot that forces Hay into a good save.

Hamilton face Falkirk in this afternoon's other Scottish Cup quarter final tie.

And we have the small matter of a Highland derby in the SPL; fourth-placed Ross County host Inverness CT who are a point ahead in third spot.

And Hearts host Motherwell...

"This is a chance for us to get to a semi-final again and I'm sure we'll get a good response (to the defeat by Motherwell)."

Lennon said he had been "irked" by persistent questions regarding Celtic's position on the Rangers ruling....

Rangers are unbeaten in 16 home league games and looking to extend their 20-point lead at the top of Division Three.

"The narrative is different depending on who you speak to. It feels like a victory for Rangers because of title-stripping.

"It feels like a thunderous victory for Rangers but it isn't. They've been found guilty of numerous rules and this is the third report pointing the finger at Sir David Murray's stewardship.

"Sir David's comments about a 'witch hunt' are risible and deserve further scrutiny."

St Mirren show four changes with David van Zanten, Steven Thompson, Gary Teale and Esmael Goncalves returning with Sam Parkin, Lewis Guy and Graham Carey - move over Gareth Bale - named among the substitutes and David Barron in the stand.

For Celtic, Kelvin Wilson, Efe Ambrose, Joe Ledley and Gary Hooper are restored to the starting line up, with Kris Commons, Georgios Samaras and Beram Kayal dropping to the bench and Tom Rogic left out of the squad.

It remains goalless at Ibrox, but the hosts come within a whisker of taking the lead as Andy Little rifles in a shot from Ian Black's cross. Moments later captain Lee McCulloch forces a great save from Hay.

"We have to stick together, be brave and make good decisions. I know Neil will have his squad fired up for this one. We know our record has been poor against Celtic over the years.

"The Scottish Cup is always the best opportunity for a club our size to win silverware. If you are prepared to work hard, the underdog can have their day.

"It would be a fantastic achievement if we could get through to another semi-final. To knock Celtic out cups twice in a season would live long in the memory of every St Mirren fan."

Rangers threaten again, this time Templeton plays in Hutton and his cross finds Little who screws a shot wide of the target.

Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart is booming out of the tannoy at St Mirren Park.

An apt song considering the recent turbulence to afflict Scottish football?

"The whole ground was stunned by that excellent finish by Andy Stirling. Ally McCoist was angry..."

Celtic force an early corner but Anthony Stokes's delivery is low, poor and easily cleared by the St Mirren defence.

Breath-taking stuff; St Mirren's attack fizzles out and Gary Hooper releases Anthony Stokes but the Celtic forward dithers, allowing the Buddies to regroup and snuff out the danger.

"It just needs a flick by Ledley and Celtic find themselves in front. A really good goal."

Celtic are causing St Mirren problems down the left, with Izaguirre and Ledley combining well and showing real meance. It remains 1-0 to the visitors with 10 minutes gone but the Buddies are slowly finding their feet after a nightmare start.

"You feel as though there's a slackness in this Celtic side."

St Mirren's goalscorer Esmael Goncalves slaloms past a couple of weak Celtic challenges before rifling a shot narrowly wide of goal. That brings Neil Lennon to the edge of his technical area to bark a few tactical orders at his troops. Great Scottish Cup tie so far!

The two Lennons - Danny and Neil - are sporting snazzy suits in their respective dugouts under the beating Paisley sun. Touch of the Boardwalk Empire about the managerial pair...

Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama attempts to send the dangerous James Forrest free down the right but his pass for the winger is too strong and trundles out for a goal kick. We've passed the half-hour mark of an open, enjoyable Scottish Cup tie: the visitors leading 2-1.

Efe Ambrose strides forward, sidestepping John McGinn before slaloming his way into the box and having a shot blocked by Marc McAusland.

Five minutes until the break and Celtic lead a fascinating Scottish Cup tie 2-1 and you feel there are more goals in this game...

"St Mirren will be happy to get in at the break just 2-1 down as they're not doing enough with the ball."

Victor Wanyama gets a stern word from ref Alan Muir after a strong challenge on John McGinn. He seemed to win the ball but pretty much wiped McGinn out while doing so.

Celtic appeal unsuccessfully for a penalty as Adam Matthews tumbles under a Lee Mair challenge but referee Alan Muir is having none of it.

"This will be a terrific afternoon for both clubs and hopefully we can repay the fans with a performance that gets the right result.

"Both clubs mirror each other in respect of relying on Academy players and have a strategy in place. There will be plenty of young Scottish talent on show that's good for the game."

An unmarked Anthony Stokes nodded Celtic back in front in an open first half of the Scottish Cup quarter final in Paisley.

Barrie McKay lofts a ball to the back post where Lee McCulloch rises to head a foot or so wide of Grant Hay's left-hand post.

"Danny Lennon has got to get John McGinn higher up the pitch against the Celtic midfield and they might get more ball retention."

Adam Matthews and Gary Hooper combine to set up captain for the day Joe Ledley but the Welshman's tame effort is gathered easily by Craig Samson.

Anthony Stokes fires into the side netting after collecting a long diagonal ball. The second half is in need of a spark of genius to get the fans going again.

"St Mirren are trying to squeeze Celtic a little bit and move further up the pitch."

St Mirren begin to impose themselves on their visitors on the hour mark, when a series of corners requires Victor Wanyama to block well from another Esmael Goncalves strike.

Thomas Rogne barges into Fraser Forster just as the big English keeper is trying to collect a cross - Forster spills and it's hoofed clear. Injury-prone Rogne about as jittery as Chief Inspector Dreyfuss when Clouseau's in close proximity.

St Mirren respond immediately and forward Steven Thompson chases down a long ball but is beaten in the run by Fraser Forster who lumbers out to snuff out the danger.

Georgios Samaras, returning from injury, replaces Anthony Stokes as Celtic boss Neil Lennon shuffles his attacking pack.

St Mirren's Paul McGowan is replaced by Graham Carey. What price another Bale-esque wonder strike to level the cup tie?

Graham Carey whips in a corner but Celtic look to launch a lightning counter attack through James Forrest. However, Paul Dummett reacts well to muzzle the speedster.

"History is made in the Highlands as the north football revolution continues. Less than 20 years ago it was the Highland League. Now these two teams just 15 miles apart meet as top six SPL outfits and European contenders."

St Mirren are enjoying a great spell of pressure and have Celtic penned into their own half. Graham Carey has a free kick, 30 yards out...

Beram Kayal is on for Thomas Rogne as Celtic look to add some bite in the closing stages with eight minutes plus added time remaining.

"I am now standing outside Victoria Park watching a constant stream of happy Highlanders of both persuasion making their way over the railway bridge which leads to the ground. No quarter received or given on the park or on the terraces after kick-off, though."

Three minutes plus added time remaining in Paisley and Celtic are aiming to see out this game and book their place in the last four of the Scottish Cup.

St Mirren look to attack through Gary Teale and John McGinn before Kelvin Wilson heads the ball behind for a late, late Buddies corner...

What a chance! The corner comes in and substitute Sam Parkin must've seen the morning newspaper headlines but his effort hits the side netting and St Mirren still trail 2-1.

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster applauds the fans as he makes his way up the tunnel. The big keeper pulled off a stunning save to keep out substitute Graham Carey's 30-yard free kick. That save proved crucial. The Buddies improved after the break but struggled for a cutting edge in front of goal.

Gary Hooper denied by combination of Craig Samson and the crossbar as Celtic chased a third goal.

"St Mirren gave it a go in the second half but Celtic did what they had to do after losing the Scottish League Cup semi-final. The home fans gave them a standing ovation at the end, and rightly so, but it wasn't to be."

"We've gifted them a goal and they haven't had to work for the goal. Gary's clean through and Jamesy then snatched at the rebound but we're going well: still in three competitions.

"Joe Ledley has come back and been exceptional for us. We've had a marvellous season and, hopefully, we can keep it going on Wednesday (against Juventus)"

Hearts look to respond and Michael Ngoo fires a shot off target. This is going to be a real test of character for the home side.

"I can barely see an empty seat so I expect that this one will be very close to the 6,300 capacity."

Gary Fisher sets up Jon Routledge as Hamilton look to break the deadlock in the Scottish Cup tie at New Douglas Park but the latter's effort trundles just wide of goal.

Accies spurn another chance to take the lead. This time Gary Fisher pounces on a Falkirk defensive lapse but goes for power rather than placement: the Bairns survive...

"El Kessocko" sparks into life as Inverness captain Richie Foran puts in a good cross but Billy McKay can't quite connect.

"Accies have had two great chances and really should be in the lead."

Now is the time for the experienced Hearts players to step up. Mehdi Taouil cuts in from the left and tries to curl a shot towards the top right-hand corner but it slips wide.

The shell-shocked Jambos have a mountain to climb after those two early Motherwell goals.

Hamilton are "hunting in packs" against Falkirk, according to Sportsound pundit Derek Ferguson. But it remains goalless after Accies spurned those two early chances.

It's Falkirk's turn to threaten as Blair Alston intercepts Jon Routledge's attempted pass but his shot lacks power to seriously trouble Kevin Cuthbert in the Accies goal.

Great wing-play by Ross County's Ivan Sproule who cuts back for Evangelos Ikonomou to shoot, but the Greek defender's shot was deflected wide. Hard to tell if it was going on target.

Michael Higdon tries to round Jamie MacDonald but he's forced wide and his cutback is cleared away by Andy Webster. The Steelmen are toying with the managerless Jambos at Tynecastle...

"That was so nearly the first goal in Dingwall but Evangelos Oikonomou's shot was deflected for a corner by an Inverness defender at the last moment."

Come on, gents, set a good example...Ross County manager Derek Adams and his Inverness CT counterpart Terry Butcher are now at each others throats. Not literally, but not far away from it! Tense atmosphere at Victoria Park.

Pushing, shoving, hollering, crimson cheeks, injured pride: all part of the Highland derby!

Ryan Stevenson holds his head in his hands and well he might. The ball fell to him on the rebound about 16 yards out but his wild swipe lets Motherwell off the hook.

BBC Scotland pundit Craig Paterson has revealed he had to fill out a form to qualify for half-time media refreshments at Victoria Park. WWII rationing all over again!

"The Accies fans are a bit quiet but they've got to get behind their team because there's a long way to go in this cup tie."

Blair Alston's strike has put Falkirk in the driving seat and on course to progress to the last four of the Scottish Cup.

It remains goalless in a passionate, ferocious Highland derby at Victoria Park and Motherwell are coasting against Hearts, with a two-goal advantage at Tynecastle.

Hamilton are enjoying the lionshare of possession as they search for an equaliser. Falkirk defending well, though, and retain their one-goal lead.

Ross County's Mihael Kovacevic is mightily close to giving the hosts the lead against Inverness CT. He flicks it over Graeme Shinnie beautifully before driving it goalwards, but the rising effort is inches wide.

A bit of controversy about that Hearts goal, which came from a corner. Stuart McCall feels it should have been a throw-in and makes his feelings clear on the touchline.

Another great chance for Accies as the unmarked Michael Devlin sends a header over the bar.

There's a scramble in the Motherwell box and Ryan Stevenson's low shot is blocked by the legs of Darren Randolph. Suddenly, Hearts have their tails up and are testing Motherwell as they search for an equaliser.

"I absolutely loved that. What a cracking strike!

Graeme Shinnie booked for simulation after Evangelos Ikonomou's challenge in the penalty area. Terry Butcher is irate and reckons it was a certain sport-kick!

Falkirk's Lyle Taylor volleys just over the bar after getting on the end of a sumptuous cross by David Weatherston.

Hamilton continue to press for a late equaliser but Page heads wide of goal and Falkirk survive. We're into the first of three added minutes at New Douglas Park.

Former Hearts forward John Robertson has told BBC Radio Scotland that he would be willing to return to the Edinburgh club as manager for a second spell if it would help the troubled outfit.

"Football-wise, it's up to Hearts," he said.

"They're the ones with all the aces, they'll have had lots of enquiries, they'll have had lots of notes of interest.

"They have to get it right for the club, they have to look through everything and take everything into consideration and then make the decision that they feel is best to take the club forward.

"The ambulance came at the right time to take the ball away. It was a typical derby and both teams were superbly committed. No team deserved to lose and it's a good point for us and County."

Passions were running high in the Highland derby at Victoria Park...

The views of Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan coming up...

"The whole focus for Scottish football over the last 12 months has been about doing what's right for the good of the game," said SFA chief executive Stewart Regan.

"It's not about trying to find scapegoats to take responsibility for what's happened in the past 12 months."

"When the consortium approached the Scottish FA and were interested in buying Rangers Football Club, they asked through the leader of that consortium, Imran Ahmed, to outline what was the worst possible punishments that could happen to the club if they were found guilty of a different crimes to football, for want of a better expression.

"The reason they wanted that information was because they had investors, who were looking to put money in the club. Those investors wanted to know exactly what the implications were of investing in the Rangers Football Club.

"So, at the outset of the discussions, what came onto the table was literally every possible sanction and every possible issue that could be raised, whether that was bringing the game into disrepute that had gone on or the 'unknowns' as we call them that were still being discussed at the time.

"None of us knew what the outcome of the investigation into the big tax case was going to be or the investigation into the SPL's commission, what the outcome of that was going to be.

"So, there had to be certain assumptions made and, at the request of the club, everything that could possibly be levied on the club was put on the table.

"Over the course of a number of drafts of the agreement, various parts of that were then negotiated out and that was part of an ongoing process involving the Football League, the Premier League in Scotland, the Scottish FA and both oldco and newco as far as the Rangers Football Club are concerned..."

"I think now is a very good time for all parties to draw a line under what's gone on in the last 12 months. There's been an awful lot of animosity and ill-will expressed in a number of different quarters over the last 12 months and it's crucial with league reconstruction being such an important issue for the game that we now draw a line under what's happened and seek to work together collaboratively to try and build a stronger game and a stronger proposition for fans to watch..."

What do you think of Stewart Regan's comments? Text 80295 or tweet the commentary #bbcsportscot and message me @bbcthomasmcg

"Hearts brought their experienced players back. I'm delighted with the start we had. It's very difficult to play football on that playing surface. It was grit and determination [that won us the game].

"Our two young centre-backs, up against John Sutton and Michael Ngoo, battled manfully and did a terrific job for us. I'm delighted with the players. I'll use that word bounce-back-ability. It was hard graft but we got there."

"I wouldn't say it was a debate. Derek was saying things and I was saying things. He wasn't swearing but I was, it got a bit heated! It was good fun, handbags at 10 paces. I was just trying to deflect the referee's attention from my player. I'll go down and have a nice cup of tea with Derek, I'm sure."

"I was really disappointed with the start. The two goals we lost were poor. We were second to the balls in the middle of the pitch. I had words with the players and to their credit they came out in the second half and we had Motherwell on the back foot. We didn't create too many clear-cut chances after that. We need commitment for 90 minutes. We badly need a win to get us out this rut."

Stewart Regan: "Now's a a very good time for all parties to draw a line under what's gone on in the last 12 months..."

That'll do from me today. Celtic and Falkirk book their place in the last four of the Scottish Cup. Dundee and city rivals United face each other tomorrow and it's Kilmarnock v Hibs in the other two quarter-finals.

The Highland derby ended goalless while Motherwell saw off managerless Hearts at Tynecastle.

Thanks for your company, enjoy your Saturday night. Cheers.