Premiership (Scotland)

The Thistle manager was in the dugout at Ochilview as his side sealed an 8-3 aggregate victory in the cinch Premiership play-off quarter-finals the day after his father, Lawrence Doolan, died.

The 36-year-old said: “It’s probably just what I need personally because it’s been a time of turmoil for me.

“To see us score those goals was exactly the tonic I needed and to see the fans, the togetherness at the club, that’s what we’re trying to build.

“It was great to just stand and watch the way we play. The attitude of the players… I could see it in their eyes, they were giving everything.

“It’s a big thank-you from me because they went over and above and got what they deserved.”

The Thistle manager was on his way to training when he got the news on Thursday morning and missed the final day of the build-up to the second leg.

“There was never any doubt I would be in the dugout,” he said. “It’s what my dad would have wanted.

“He was a big Partick Thistle fan just like me. Nobody wants to see us do well more than me or him.

“He followed us everywhere when I played, he wanted me here tonight. He watched the game the other night and I was with him just after it.”

The Jags set up a semi-final with Ayr, who visit Firhill in the first leg next Friday, thanks to first-half goals from Brian Graham, Scott Tiffoney and Kevin Holt plus a late effort from Danny Mullen.

Doolan, who has only lost once in 15 games as a manager, said: “It was a fitting tribute. There’s no better tonic than watching us play like that.

“He would be proud of the players and the club because everyone has come together.

“We have been given such amazing support, my full family, and we can’t thank everyone enough because these times show in football, that’s when everyone gets together. Football is brilliant for that, it’s a brilliant industry when something like this happens.

“You see the fans at the end, and throughout the full game, the support that we have, and I thank them as well.

“Even my 11 years here as a player, they backed me every single day and they continue to back me as a manager. I am very grateful for that.”

Queen’s Park had the chance to win the Championship title last Friday after leading the table for much of 2023 but a 5-3 defeat by Dundee was followed by more defensive lapses.

Manager Owen Coyle said: “On the night we probably let ourselves down in terms of performance level, and over the last four or five weeks.

“Maybe we’ve squeezed every little bit out of that group we had. The bottom line is it’s not happened. Next year we will be back bigger and better.”

After a dominant start to the game, Will Dennis’ unlucky own goal handed Hibs the lead after eight minutes before Dylan Vente’s smart finish just before the hour-mark doubled the visitors’ advantage and seemingly had Kilmarnock at their mercy.

However, Kyle Vassell halved the deficit two minutes later with a close-range finish before Joe Wright headed home Danny Armstrong’s cross to salvage a dramatic point.

Derek McInnes made two alterations from Kilmarnock’s 1-0 defeat to Ross County before the international break as Wright and Vassell came in for David Watson and Thomas Davies.

Montgomery also made two changes from the side that earned their first league win of the season at Aberdeen as Christian Doidge and Rocky Bushiri replaced Josh Campbell and Paul Hanlon.

Montgomery’s side, totally rejuvenated under their new manager, were on the front foot from the first whistle, pinning Kilmarnock back.

Goalkeeper Dennis produced a fine save to deny Martin Boyle inside the first minute after he evaded several challenges.

The Kilmarnock keeper was called into action again minutes later when Lewis Miller’s cut-back across the box found Boyle, who saw his rasping drive tipped over the bar at full stretch.

Hibs’ pressure eventually paid dividends as they broke the deadlock after eight minutes as a corner was kept alive at the back-post.

A touch of class from James Jeggo provided the next twist as his pinpoint header found Miller and his shot from close-range hit the post and bounced in off the unlucky Dennis.

Elie Youan then fired into the side-netting, before another well-worked corner routine almost saw the visitors double their lead as Boyle’s whipped cross found Joe Newell, but his shot was straight at Dennis.

Having weathered the early storm, Kilmarnock tried to gain a foothold in the game and managed to carve out a decent opening after 35 minutes when Armstrong’s cross found Marley Watkins and his header forced a save from David Marshall.

Neither side offered much in a scrappy beginning to the second-half which saw Brad Lyons and Will Fish booked for reckless tackles.

It was a moment of sublime quality that saw Hibs double their lead just before the hour-mark through Vente, who notched his third goal of the season.

Youan did well to retain possession under pressure before sliding the ball in for Vente, who kept his cool and fired into the bottom left-hand corner beyond substitute goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara.

However, their lead did not last long as Kilmarnock gave themselves a lifeline. Marshall did well to save Lyons’ initial effort but the rebound fell kindly for Vassell to slot home.

Matty Kennedy’s venomous 30-yard strike fizzed inches over the bar, while at the other end Adam Le Fondre’s right-footed caressed effort was deflected narrowly wide of the target.

Spurred on by a raucous Rugby Park crowd, Kilmarnock pushed bodies forward in search of a leveller which duly arrived after 79 minutes.

Wright peeled away from his marker to head home Armstrong’s corner inside the six-yard box.

The Killie captain netted with clever headers either side of the half-time interval after Sean Kelly’s penalty for Livi had cancelled out Danny Armstrong’s opener.

The victory sees Derek McInnes’ side move above their opponents on goal difference into fifth place, while Livingston remain in seventh.

Kilmarnock made two changes from the team beaten by Celtic last time out. In came Liam Polworth and Marley Watkins, with Robbie Deas and Matty Kennedy making way.

Livingston also made two changes after their win over Motherwell. Michael Devlin and Mo Sangare made the starting line-up at the expense of Ayo Obileye and Stephen Kelly.

The home side took the lead with the first real chance of the game after 16 minutes. Corrie Ndaba’s cross was completely missed by David Watson but rolled kindly through to Armstrong who lashed a shot past Shamal George.

Livingston appealed for a penalty following Ndaba’s challenge on Daniel MacKay but neither referee Craig Napier nor VAR Greg Aitken were moved into taking action.

Killie went straight up the park and George did well to push away Armstrong’s goalbound drive, before Polworth’s effort was deflected for a corner as the home side looked to press home their superiority.

Livingston, though, did get a penalty after 34 minutes. Brad Lyons connected with Sangare as he tried to make a clearance and Kelly sent Will Dennis the wrong way from the spot to draw his team level.

A melee then broke out involving around 10 players following an incident between Devlin and Watson. After a delay, both players were booked.

The home side moved back in front three minutes before half-time. Armstrong dispatched an enticing free kick from wide on the right and Vassell was able to steer a header beyond George and into the far corner.

Kilmarnock looked to add to their lead early after the restart but Lyons’ shot was wayward, while Polworth’s effort was easily saved by George.

A third goal for the home side, though, duly arrived just shy of the hour mark and Vassell was again the scorer.

Mere moments after striking the crossbar, the Kilmarnock captain met a Watson cross and this time made no mistake with his header.

Lloyd sent a free kick just wide for Livingston late on but the home side held firm to coast to just their second league win of the season.

Kyle Vassell powered home the only goal of the game after 64 minutes to give Derek McInnes’ side a deserved success in a game spoiled by windy conditions.

Ross County remain second bottom and now trail 10th-placed St Johnstone by four points.

The hosts almost took a first-minute lead after Danny Armstrong’s floated cross was met by Matty Kennedy at the back post, but the winger’s effort struck the post before bouncing to safety.

County responded with some pressure of their own, and there was a nervous moment for the Killie backline as they struggled to deal with a loose ball inside the box.

The visitors continued to threaten and Eamonn Brophy sent a dipping volley just over the crossbar before Loick Ayina’s header was easily gathered.

It required a strong punch from George Wickens to keep out Liam Donnelly’s stinging volley on the half-hour mark, and the County goalkeeper reacted well again minutes later to save from Stuart Findlay.

The final action of a poor first half came in added time when Brophy sent an ambitious acrobatic effort wide of the target.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first. Armstrong’s goal-bound drive was deflected just over and then Vassell should have done better when he connected with the resulting corner.

Don Cowie’s side were still offering a threat of their own on the counter. Simon Murray forced a superb stop from Killie keeper Will Dennis with a curling effort from the edge of the area.

But it was the hosts who were looking the more likely to score. Vassell burst into the box before unleashing a powerful strike that was well blocked by Wickens and appeals for handball in the aftermath were waved away by referee Euan Anderson.

The Kilmarnock captain was not to be denied though and he broke the deadlock when he collected the ball on the edge of the box before drilling low beyond Wickens.

Lifted by their opener, the hosts looked to extend their advantage, with chances for Vassell and Donnelly both going astray.

In the closing stages, Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Polworth was fortunate to avoid being shown a red card when he kicked out at Ryan Leak – a moment that caused tempers to flare.

Four players were shown yellow cards in the aftermath, including Polworth who was substituted minutes later, but Ross County were unable to fine a late leveller.

The Fir Park side took the lead through Mika Biereth then fell behind thanks to goals from Lyall Cameron and Owen Beck.

Motherwell equalised through Bevis Mugabi then had Harry Paton sent off before going behind again to Zach Robinson’s drilled effort.

Conor Wilkinson’s stoppage-time goal at least ensured Kettlewell’s men earned a point, but the manager was not fully appeased.

He said: “It’s not good enough. I thought we started on the front foot but that seemed to be the catalyst to take a backwards step which frustrates me beyond belief.

“We’ve been talking about trying to get the first goal and we should grow in belief. But it seemed to have the opposite effect.

“We shot ourselves in the foot far too often and allowed Dundee to come on to us at home. In the second half, we didn’t get much of a rhythm.

“Bevis Mugabi’s goal could have been a catalyst to get going but Harry Paton’s red card comes after that.

“It’s another rejig and we’re having to change our shape. But the bit that doesn’t surprise me is the brilliant reaction when we looked dead and buried.

“It’s a great finish from Conor, but you’ll forgive me for thinking it’s a wee bit bittersweet.

“I don’t want to take away the elation that comes from scoring another late goal but I would love to not be chasing a game again in the dying embers.”

Kettlewell’s opposite number Tony Docherty was just as irritated at seeing his team throw away the lead in time added on.

The Dundee manager said: “Huge disappointment because that was an absolutely dominant performance.

“We had a similar game against St Johnstone when we were so dominant away from home and dropped two points. We’ve done that massively again. But I can’t be too harsh on the players.

“Our performance was outstanding, we were by miles the better team in terms of shots and possession.

“We just have to manage the last 90 seconds. I said to the boys if I set up that situation in training 100 times then we would defend it 100 times.

“We gave up possession then didn’t defend a goal-kick. We didn’t win the first header or pick up the second ball. They got a runner through and scored.”

Harry Paton slammed home in the seventh minute of stoppage time to complete a superb comeback for the hosts.

Marley Watkins headed past Liam Kelly to give Killie the lead after 12 minutes, but the visitors passed up a number of chances to extend their advantage in the first half.

Motherwell were much improved after the restart and deservedly got back on terms when Dan Casey fired home after 59 minutes.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Steelmen were handed the perfect opportunity to clinch all three points after Casey was fouled inside the box by Daniel Armstrong, but Callum Slattery saw his spot-kick saved.

There was still time for more drama, however, and Paton was the hero for the home side when he calmly converted in the dying seconds.

A calf injury sustained by Conor Wilkinson left Stuart Kettlewell with just two recognised strikers, and the Motherwell boss was forced to hand Joe Efford his first start since October of last year to try and bolster his attack.

Kilmarnock began the encounter the much brighter of the two sides and enjoyed the bulk of the possession in the opening 10 minutes.

Motherwell survived a scare when Slattery’s clearing header drifted just past the post, but the hosts found themselves a goal down from the resulting corner.

Matt Kennedy’s corner was initially cleared, but the same player then delivered an excellent cross for Watkins to turn home at the back-post and give Killie the lead after 12 minutes.

Kyle Vassell passed up a good opportunity to double the advantage when he glanced a header wide of the target after rising unmarked to meet David Watson’s cross.

It took a good stop from William Dennis to deny Blair Spittal, as Motherwell registered their first meaningful attempt on goal.

New signing Brodie Spencer should have levelled matters on the stroke of half-time after he connected with Stephen O’Donnell’s deep cross, but he fired well wide of the target.

Theo Bair then somehow failed to find the net when he connected with Paton’s cut-back as the home side put pressure on the Killie goal early in the second half.

However, Motherwell equalised after 59 minutes when a superb counter attack ended with Spencer laying the ball to Casey, who rifled low into the net.

The momentum had suddenly shifted the way of the home team and it took a smart stop by Dennis to keep out Lennon Miller’s effort from just outside the box.

Spencer headed into the arms of the Kilmarnock keeper as Kettlewell’s team looked to complete the turnaround, and just a minute later referee Chris Graham pointed to the spot after Armstrong brought down Casey inside the box.

Slattery stepped up to take the resulting kick but he was denied by an excellent stop from Dennis.

Vassell blazed well over the top in the final minute and in time added on, Spittal sent a free-kick just wide with the game seemingly heading for a stalemate.

That was until Spittal did well to pick out Paton, who coolly weaved past two Kilmarnock defenders before drilling the ball low beyond Dennis.

The Scotland forward netted in either half to make it 10 goals in 11 games for the Jambos and 15 for the season at club level.

Hearts were good value for their sixth win in eight league games, while St Mirren – who were in third place as recently as a fortnight ago after a bright start to the campaign – dropped to fifth after a fourth defeat in six.

Jambos boss Steven Naismith made three changes to the side that pulled off a surprise 2-0 win at Celtic the previous weekend as Stephen Kingsley, Jorge Grant and Alan Forrest were replaced by Barrie McKay, Yutaro Oda and Craig Halkett, who was handed his first start in a year after suffering a serious knee injury last Christmas Eve.

There was one tweak to the St Mirren team that drew 0-0 with Motherwell as Alex Greive took over from Stav Nachmani in attack.

Hearts started brightly and Alex Cochrane curled a low free-kick just wide of the far post after Aidan Denholm was fouled by Alex Gogic on the edge of the box in the opening minute.

Denholm then fizzed a ferocious half-volley just wide after a corner broke to him 20 yards out.

Keanu Baccus had St Mirren’s first notable effort in the 27th minute when he sent a free-kick narrowly wide from just outside the box.

After an opening half hour in which there were no clear chances at either end, Hearts went ahead in the 33th minute when Cochrane charged down a St Mirren clearance before clipping a perfect cross from the left to the back post for Shankland who stooped to force home a header from close range.

Shankland doubled his tally for the afternoon four minutes after the break with a nonchalant half-volley from the edge of the box after a lovely pass from McKay.

Shankland had a chance to notch his hat-trick in the 57th minute when he was set up inside the box by Beni Baningime, but Zach Hemming got down to push his low effort behind.

St Mirren, who had previously offered little in attack, briefly threw off the shackles as they tried to find a way back into the game and Gogic saw a header well saved by Zander Clark moments before Thierry Small had a shot blocked on the line by Kye Rowles, but the hosts held firm for a ninth clean sheet in 18 league games.

First-half goals from Joe Shaughnessy and Ryan Strain had Stephen Robinson’s men well in control at half-time.

Josh Ginnelly got one back for the visitors before Peter Haring was shown a straight red card.

Hearts, though, kept battling and Shankland rolled in a late spot-kick to earn the visitors a point.

St Mirren made two changes from the team beaten by Hibernian. Out went Declan Gallagher and Charles Dunne, replaced by Shaughnessy and Richard Taylor.

Hearts, in turn, made just one alteration to their starting line-up after losing to Celtic. Out went the suspended Alex Cochrane, his place taken by Andy Halliday.

It took until the 19th minute before either goalkeeper had a save to make, Zander Clark comfortably fielding Strain’s long-range effort.

The home side were starting to dominate by this point and Toby Sibbick did well to block a goalbound Alex Greive shot.

St Mirren did have the ball in the net through Alex Gogic following a free-kick but Greive was offside in the build-up.

The home side, though, would not be denied after 36 minutes. Scott Tanser’s corner was headed back across goal by Gogic and Shaughnessy could not miss as he tapped in from a matter of yards.

Saints could have doubled their lead after Greive teed up Curtis Main only for Clark to make a terrific save to deny him.

The home side did go two up deep into first-half stoppage time. James Hill was penalised for going in high and late on Mark O’Hara and Strain swept the subsequent free-kick low past Clark at his near post.

If the goalkeeper was in any way at fault there he made up for it early in the second half with two stunning saves, the first to push a Strain shot over his crossbar and then the second to block a Shaughnessy header.

Hearts gave themselves a lifeline in the 73rd minute when Nathaniel Atkinson’s back-post cross was tapped in by Ginnelly.

But the visitors’ prospects took a dip minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men. Haring was late on O’Hara and referee David Dickinson produced the red card – with VAR upholding the decision.

St Mirren could have wrapped it up with a late third but Thierry Small’s low shot was well saved by Clark with his legs.

And that proved costly when Ryan Flynn pushed over Ginnelly in the box and Shankland converted the penalty.

The Jambos captain struck for the 22nd time this season early in the second half to settle a tightly-contested affair at McDiarmid Park and secure a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Hearts have now won 12 of their last 15 league matches since the start of November and remain 12 points clear of nearest challengers Kilmarnock.

Saints boss Craig Levein – a two-time former Jambos manager – made one alteration to the side that won 1-0 at Ross County on Saturday as Oludare Olufunwa replaced David Keltjens.

There were three changes to the Hearts team that started the 3-2 victory at Dundee, with Toby Sibbick, Jorge Grant and Yutaro Oda making way for Stephen Kingsley, Kenneth Vargas and on-loan Charlton midfielder Scott Fraser, who made his debut as a substitute at the weekend.

Hearts controlled possession in the early exchanges but struggled to get a clear sight of goal. Stephen Kingsley had their first notable attempt in the 25th minute after Frankie Kent headed Fraser’s cross down to the edge of the six-yard box but his firm, angled strike was blocked by Dimitar Mitov.

Saints started to grow into the game as the half wore on and they had an opportunity in the 39th minute when Alex Cochrane’s headed clearance dropped to Benjamin Kimpioka just inside the box, but the Swedish striker was unable to get the ball fully under control and sliced his effort wide.

Hearts threatened in the last minute of the half but Vargas headed wide after getting on the end of Dexter Lembikisa’s cross from the right at the back post.

Saints made a change for the start of the second half as Sven Sprangler replaced fellow midfielder Fran Franczak.

Connor Smith, who left Hearts in January to join the Perth side, tried his luck with a shot from distance in the 47th minute but it was easily held by Zander Clark.

A minute later Jambos winger Alan Forrest went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when he curled a low 12-yard shot just past the far post from the left side of the box.

The breakthrough came for the visitors in the 55th minute when Saints defender Andrew Considine misjudged Kent’s long ball up the centre of the pitch and Shankland – alert to the opportunity – flicked the ball beyond Ryan McGowan to get himself free in the box before calmly slotting past Mitov from around 12 yards.

It was the Scotland striker’s 50th goal since joining Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in the summer of 2022.

Saints – who remain 10th in the table – had two good chances to equalise in the closing stages through Nicky Clark and Adama Sidibeh, but Steven Naismith’s on-form side held firm.

After missing his last three spot-kicks, the talismanic Jambos captain allowed team-mate Jorge Grant to take over and the Englishman duly opened the scoring from 12 yards out.

Shankland had the Tynecastle crowd in raptures when he sealed a seventh win in eight games for Hearts with a lovely finish with the outside of his foot to take his tally to 19 for the season.

Jambos boss Steven Naismith made three changes to the team that started Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Dundee as Craig Halkett, Aidan Denholm and Kenneth Vargas were replaced by Alan Forrest, Grant and Yutaro Oda.

There was just one tweak to the Dons side that kicked off Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at St Johnstone as Richard Jensen replaced Slobodan Rubezic at centre-back.

Following a low-key opening to the match, Hearts forward Oda had the first proper sight of goal in the 12th minute when he was released into the box by a pass down the right from Grant but Jack MacKenzie matched the Japanese and blocked his shot behind for a corner.

Aberdeen thought they had gone ahead in the 24th minute when Bojan Miovski arced a lovely left-footed finish high beyond Zander Clark from just inside the box, but the celebrations were cut short when the North Macedonia forward was adjudged to have fouled Beni Baningime in the build-up following a lengthy VAR check.

Five minutes later Dons midfielder Dante Polvara fizzed a powerful low shot just wide from 30 yards out.

Hearts had struggled for much of the half but they had a brief spell of pressure towards the interval in which Grant curled just wide from the edge of the box before Stephen Kingsley sent a free-kick just over from 20 yards out.

At the other end, Leighton Clarkson dragged a low effort wide from just inside the box before Jamie McGrath fired a free-kick narrowly over from just outside the box.

The deadlock was broken in the 56th minute after Hearts were awarded a penalty when Forrest’s cross from the left was deemed to have been blocked by the arm of Nicky Devlin following another lengthy VAR check. Grant, taking over spot-kick duties from Shankland, despatched his effort clinically beyond Kelle Roos.

The Aberdeen keeper had to make a couple of excellent saves to keep his side in the game as he pushed away goal-bound strikes from distance from Forrest and Shankland. 

But Roos was helpless in the 76th minute as Shankland nonchalantly pinged home a lovely finish with the outside of his right foot from inside the D to seal the points and pile more pressure on under-fire Aberdeen manager Barry Robson.

The Easter Road side defeated Andorran side Inter d’Escaldes 6-1 in their Europa Conference League qualifier on Thursday – 7-3 on aggregate – but they fell flat on Sunday as their visitors raced into a two-goal lead through Mark O’Hara and Toyosi Olusanya.

Hibs raised their intensity levels after the break and got themselves level through Adam Le Fondre and Christian Doidge. but Saints claimed the points with a late header from substitute Alex Greive.

With home and away games against Swiss side FC Luzern over the next two Thursdays, Johnson is worried about his team’s ability to handle the demands of competing on both fronts.

“I’m super disappointed with the start,” he said. “If we’re going to compete in all competitions we have got to be able to play Thursday-Sunday-Thursday-Sunday.

“I obviously named the same starting XI (as Thursday), which is fair (criticism) to be thrown at me.

“But I feel individually the boys have a responsibility to be at their best physically and mentally, with the help of us and all the expertise we have got.

“I don’t think it was a fitness thing because you saw us take over in the second half.

“It was more a mental strength to be able to go again, when the focus had been on a recent game, if that makes sense.

“With St Mirren having a longer lead-in than us in terms of preparation they did a job on us. We made poor decisions.

“The boys showed in the second half it wasn’t a fitness issue. It looked like that in the first half due to not being as mentally focused as he should have been.

“We’ve got to get to grips with that quickly if we want to compete on all fronts.”

Johnson made a double substitution after just 28 minutes, taking off Josh Campbell and Allan Delferriere and switching formation while his team trailed 2-0.

“I love Josh to bits, he’s a fantastic player and has goals in him, but he has to bring his game more often,” said Johnson, explaining the changes.

“His game is a powerful game, he hits numbers in terms of getting in the box and can win second balls. For whatever reason he wasn’t on it today.

“Allan looked like it was too much for him to play two games in four days.”   

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson praised his side’s resilience after they overcame the disappointment of squandering their two-goal lead to go and win the match.

“I was delighted with the performance,” he said. “To come here and dominate the whole first half with the quality we showed was great.

“I thought to a man we were excellent. We were always going to face a comeback, this is a very good Hibs side who have recruited heavily and it was always going to be a test.

“When they launch things up to Doidge anything can happen. It became a little bit route one.

“We could have lived to regret not taking the amount of chances we created, but we were not happy to settle for a point. I thought we were excellent and showed real quality.”

The 21-year-old winger, signed from Maccabi Petah Tikva in 2021, has not always been a regular starter under Ange Postecoglou this season.

Portuguese favourite Jota and Japan attacker Daizen Maeda have often been preferred, and Abada has been linked with a move to the likes of Southampton, Ajax and Benfica.

Abada, who is contracted to 2026, has played well enough to be nominated for the PFA Scotland young player of the year award for the second successive season.

The ViaPlay Cup winners clinched the cinch Premiership title on Sunday with a win at Hearts and the 12-goal Hoops attacker insists his eyes are firmly on the finish to the season, with only Scottish Cup final opponents Inverness standing between Celtic and the clean sweep.

Abada said: “I don’t care about what the newspapers or media says, I just care about how to improve every day, how to get better for the team, how to give 100 per cent.

“I am focused on getting the three trophies and this is the most important thing now.

“I am really happy at Celtic. Everyone looks after me and tries to help me get better. My relationships with the players and staff is very good.

“So I am really happy here. There is no rush. I have time. Right now we just focus to finish the season strong and this is the most important thing.

“When you play at a club like Celtic, there are a lot of great players, you have a lot of competition.

“But I am still young and I want to work hard every training session, every game, and help the team get our targets.

“It is the coach’s decision and, when the gaffer tells me I need to play, I will do the best for the team and try to get our target and this is the most important thing.”

Abada and Celtic team-mate Matt O’Riley are joined on the list of nominees by Rangers midfielder Malik Tillman and Albion Rovers striker Charlie Reilly.

Shinnie’s 84th-minute strike, after being set up by skipper Nicky Devlin, capped off a resilient second-half display for the hosts.

Kevin van Veen scored the game’s opening goal just two minutes into the contest from close range, equalling the club record set by Hugh Ferguson 103 years ago by scoring in his 10th consecutive match.

Livingston’s goalkeeper Shamal George was sent off after 43 minutes following a collision with Van Veen outside of the area, but the hosts rallied to secure a late point.

Mikael Mandron cushioned the ball down and Van Veen fired home from inside the box to give Motherwell an early lead.

Despite both sides’ safety guaranteed and seventh place being all that was on the line, the game developed into an end-to-end affair.

David Martindale’s side showed their attacking impetus as they pushed for an equaliser before the interval, with two strikes from Stephen Kelly going close.

A whipped delivery from Paul McGinn failed to find Mandron but the attempted clearance fell kindly for Van Veen, whose powerful strike was blocked before Kelly again went close at the other end, only for his attempt to narrowly fizz over the bar.

As Motherwell tried to double their advantage, Van Veen raced onto a looping through ball and was clattered by the onrushing George.

After initially being shown a yellow card and the flag being raised for offside, a lengthy VAR check resulted in referee Chris Graham consulting the pitch-side monitor before dismissing the keeper.

After the interval Livingston continued to push for a leveller despite their numerical disadvantage, with Anderson’s deflected effort falling kindly for Luiyi De Lucas, but the defender’s strike was well defended.

Much of the second half failed to match the first 45’s back and forth despite the man advantage for the visitors never becoming overly apparent as the hosts dug deep to find a route back into the game.

Their persistence paid off late on when Devlin slid the ball across the box for Shinnie to thump in the equaliser in what is set to be his final home appearance as the club’s captain.

A late shot from Blair Spittal was dragged wide as both sides were left ruing missed opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

In a match played in terrible conditions, the forward’s composed finish was the stand-out moment of quality as he bent a low shot into the far corner from 15 yards, after the ball had broken kindly to him in the box.

The visitors also saw Dylan Vente’s goal chalked off by VAR but Livingston improved after the hour mark and they came close themselves through Bruce Anderson.

However, they could not force the equaliser as they remain at the foot of the table, five points adrift of 11th-placed St Johnstone.

Livi boss David Martindale made two changes after their last outing against St Mirren, bringing in Ayo Obileye and Jamie Brandon in place of Joel Nouble and Anderson.

Hibs manager Nick Montgomery opted to make four alterations after the midweek defeat to Celtic, drafting in Rory Whittaker, Paul Hanlon, Jordan Obita and Vente.

It was a cagey start to the match, with Sean Kelly having the first effort of note in the 15th minute but his left-footed shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide.

Hibernian had not offered too much as an attacking threat but they took the lead with their first shot of the match in the 28th minute.

There was an element of fortune as Elie Youan’s attempted pass was deflected perfectly into the path of Boyle, who showed great composure to place the ball into the bottom right corner of Shamal George’s goal.

Hibs were looking dangerous in behind and they almost doubled their lead just before the break as Jair Tavares’ lofted through ball released Vente but the striker tugged his left-footed shot wide of the target.

The away side thought they had made it 2-0 just after the break, but this time it was VAR who came to Livingston’s rescue.

Vente was involved again, nodding in at the back post after Whittaker’s cross bounced awkwardly over George. However, following a lengthy review, the striker was adjudged to have been offside when the ball was crossed.

Livingston were also slightly fortunate moments later as referee Grant Irvine opted to show Obileye only a yellow card when the defender brought down the lively Boyle who was breaking forward.

The hosts had been poor but they came to life after the hour mark. First, Sean Kelly tested David Marshall with a low shot from the edge of the area before Scott Pittman’s rebound was well blocked.

Marshall then made an even better stop in the 67th minute, coming off his line to block a close-range effort from Livi substitute Anderson in the centre of the box.

Another replacement, Stephen Kelly, was next to try his luck and he saw his left-footed attempt from the edge of the box deflected just wide after Joe Newell had given the ball away.

In swirling wind and rain, Livingston continued to throw balls forward and deep into added time they almost got their reward in a dramatic conclusion.

Mo Sangare’s shot was saved by Marshall and the ball also appeared to strike Hanlon’s arm in the box but – following a VAR review – the play was eventually brought back for an offside as Hibs held on for a hard-fought victory.

The 26-year-old former Oxford, Mansfield and Colchester player spent the second half of last season on loan at Altrincham and has joined Livi on a three-year contract.

Manager David Martindale told the club’s official website: “Miles is another signing that I’m delighted to get over the line. He is going to come in and provide competition in defensive areas for us – he can play a few positions but is predominantly a right-back or right wing-back.

“Miles has played a lot of football at a good level which is hugely important in terms of adapting to the Scottish Premiership.

“He is a very good athlete and excellent in one-vs-one situations. I think there is a lot more to come from him and playing and training at this level will really help him kick on.”

The defender will be reunited with former Accrington team-mate Mo Sangare. The 24-year-old Liberia international midfielder joined Livi on Monday.

The club and city council are honouring the players, who will be awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen in a ceremony on Friday.

Here, the PA news agency looks back at the ‘Gothenburg Greats’ – the 12 players who took to the field under Sir Alex Ferguson at the Ullevi Stadium to beat Madrid 2–1 after extra-time in 1983.

Jim Leighton – Followed Ferguson to Old Trafford in 1988 before ending his career at Pittodrie in 2000 following spells with Dundee and Hibernian. Scotland’s most-capped goalkeeper with 91 international appearances, he had two spells as Aberdeen goalkeeping coach before leaving football in 2015 to work in the oil and gas sector.

Doug Rougvie – The imposing full-back moved to Chelsea in 1984 and spent three years at Stamford Bridge. Rougvie, who won his sole Scotland cap against Northern Ireland in 1983, later played for Brighton, Fulham, Shrewsbury, Dunfermline and Montrose and managed the latter as well as Huntly and Cove Rangers. Rougvie’s departure from Cove in 1998 spelled the end of his football career and he became an engineer. Now retired, he splits his time between Scotland and Spain.

Alex McLeish – The centre-back spent all but a handful of games of his playing career with Aberdeen, with whom he won 12 major trophies. He joined Motherwell in 1994 as player-manager and later took charge of Hibernian, Rangers, Scotland twice, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Genk and Egyptian side Zamalek. His final managerial role ended with Scotland in 2019. He won eight major trophies, including the League Cup with Birmingham and two promotions as a manager. The 64-year-old appears as a TV pundit.

Willie Miller – The skipper had a long association with Aberdeen, managing them from 1992-95. Miller later joined the Pittodrie board and had a spell as director of football and has been a pundit with BBC Radio Scotland for a number of years.

John McMaster– The midfielder, who played left-back in Gothenburg, spent 15 years at Pittodrie before leaving in 1987 to play for home-town team Morton for the final year of his career. McMaster became assistant manager at the Greenock club and later scouted for the likes of Middlesbrough and Swansea. He worked in market research and now delivers corporate talks on leadership.

Gordon Strachan – Left for Manchester United in 1984 where he would later be reunited with Ferguson. Was football writers’ player of the year in both Scotland and England and won the league with Leeds before ending his playing days and starting his managerial career at Coventry. Took Southampton to the FA Cup final before a successful spell with Celtic and then managed Middlesbrough and Scotland. Now technical director at Dundee.

Neale Cooper – The only one of the team who is not still here for the 40th anniversary celebrations, Cooper died aged 54 in 2018 after a fall at a block of flats in Aberdeen. Just 19 when he won the European trophy, Cooper had made his debut in 1979 and went on to play for the likes of Aston Villa and Rangers before a second spell at Pittodrie. He was a popular manager at the likes of Ross County and Hartlepool. He later took up a corporate position with Aberdeen club sponsors Saltire Energy.

Neil Simpson – A key player for the Dons until a series of injuries hampered his progress. He left the Dons in 1990 and had spells at Newcastle and Motherwell but could not recapture his form. The midfielder took up coaching after retiring and returned to Aberdeen in the youth set-up in 2001, where he remains to this day as pathways manager.

Peter Weir – Ferguson went back to former club St Mirren to sign the talented winger, who later played for Leicester and then the Paisley club again before finishing his career with Ayr. Weir went into coaching and spent 10 years in charge of Aberdeen’s youth academy centre in Glasgow.

Mark McGhee – Another who returned to Pittodrie, as manager in 2009, but the spell was not among his happier times in management. McGhee left the Dons for Hamburg in 1984 and also played for Newcastle, Celtic and Reading, where he made a flying start to his career as a boss. Also took charge of the likes of Wolves, Leicester, Brighton and Motherwell – and was Strachan’s assistant with Scotland – before ending his career with Dundee last year.

Eric Black – The striker opened the scoring in the final and went on to play for Metz in France before a back injury forced him to retire at the age of 27. He was John Barnes’ assistant manager at Celtic and had spells in charge of Coventry and Motherwell, the latter ending when the club went into administration. He went back to being a coach under the likes of Steve Bruce with his clubs including Birmingham, Sunderland, Rotherham and Aston Villa. Black turned his back on football after leaving Southampton in 2017 and the 59-year-old now sells furniture with his son in Leamington Spa.

John Hewitt – The attacker had already been branded ‘super sub’ for his goals off the bench during Aberdeen’s run to Gothenburg and he lived up to his nickname by heading an extra-time winner after replacing Black. Hewitt left for Celtic in 1989 and spent several years with St Mirren before a short spell in coaching as player/manager of Dundalk and Rougvie’s assistant manager at Cove. The 60-year-old now works in the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen and recovered from a heart attack earlier this year.

The unused substitutes were goalkeeper Bryan Gunn, injured full-back Stuart Kennedy and midfielders Andy Watson and Ian Angus.

The midfielder’s stunning second-half free-kick came after the visitors’ Sean Kelly had seen an initial red card reduced to a yellow following a VAR intervention.

The result moved Dundee up to sixth in the table while Livingston remain 11th and have now lost four games in a row.

These two sides had played each other just eight days previously at the Tony Macaroni Arena with Dundee winning 2-0 thanks to a Joe Shaughnessy double.

Both teams had also been in action in midweek with Dark Blues boss Tony Docherty making three changes to the side that was beaten 5-0 by Rangers at Dens with Jordan McGhee, Zak Rudden and Lyall Cameron coming in for Aaron Donnelly, Scott Tiffoney and Malachi Boateng.

Livi manager Davie Martindale made just one alteration to the team that narrowly lost to Hearts with Mo Sangare dropping to the bench to be replaced by Danny Lloyd, making his first start for the Lions.

Michael Devlin had the first shot of the game from outside the Dundee box but his effort was easily gathered by Dark Blues keeper Trevor Carson.

As the half-hour mark approached, there was little in the way of flowing football with too many wayward passes and wrong decisions ensuring that both keepers were virtual spectators.

The best chance of the half finally arrived in the 37th minute when Livi’s James Penrice hit a superb cross from the left that was just begging to be put in but Joel Nouble volleyed over Carson’s bar from close range.

The hosts had an opportunity of their own soon after when Owen Beck hit a free-kick from the left with Ricki Lamie bulleting a header just wide of Livi keeper Jack Hamilton’s right-hand post.

The game finally burst into life after the break and there was a huge moment of controversy when Kelly chopped down Zak Rudden in full flight with referee Alan Muir showing the Lions player a straight red card.

However, the VAR Don Robertson asked the whistler to have another look on the trackside monitor with the referee changing his decision, showing Kelly a yellow.

Dundee were raging but that anger turned to delight straight after in the 57th minute when McCowan stepped up to take the subsequent free-kick and sent it flying into the top corner of Hamilton’s net from 25 yards.

Deep in stoppage time, Livi came agonisingly close to salvaging a draw but Carson made a superb stop from a deflected Bruce Anderson effort.

A dramatic contest in Dingwall that at one point had County 2-0 behind appeared to have been decided by a Jack Baldwin thunderbolt in the 90th minute, only for Ryan McGowan to equalise for Saints deep into stoppage time.

In terms of County’s plight near the bottom of the table, it was not as much of a blow as it may have seemed – as the Staggies would have needed to beat Kilmarnock on Sunday to avoid a relegation play-off either way.

Mackay was taking the positives out of the performance against St Johnstone, rather than thinking of it as a missed opportunity.

“I thought we started quite well, and I’m reasonably happy with the whole first half,” Mackay explained.

“They caught us on the counter with their only shot on goal, and (Stevie) May – who is a good player – scores.

“There are terrific blocks on their line for three chances we had in the first half, so at half-time it was just a case of asking for 10 per cent more energy and we would be fine.

“We lose a really lazy, sloppy tackle for the penalty to go 2-0 down, but the spirit that we showed in the team really gave us the chance to fight back into it again.

“We came back well, we pushed and probed, and we held our nerve to go ahead.

“We lose a sucker punch at the very death, but in the grand scheme of things it changes nothing with Kilmarnock winning.

“We know exactly what we’ve got to go down there and do on Sunday.”

Steven MacLean, meanwhile, was frustrated to see Saints throw away a two-goal lead, but was encouraged by the character his side showed to find a late equaliser.

“We were 2-0 up and cruising, and then we drop our standards,” he said.

“We’ve set standards over the last four games and been very good, but then we stopped trying to win first contact and second balls.

“We know those standards now, but I have to praise their character because we went right to the end.

“I’m just disappointed to be 2-0 up in a game and not be able to see it out.

“Fair play to County, they fought back and deservedly got back in the game because they put us under a lot of pressure.”

The Staggies looked to be staring at demotion to the cinch Championship when they languished four points adrift at the foot of the Premiership after losing 6-0 away to Hearts in the last pre-split fixture last month.

But they bounced back with a home win over Livingston in their first post-split match and then followed it up with a 3-1 victory away to Dundee United on Saturday to climb off the bottom of the table.

“It was an awful day, it was the worst performance of the year by a million miles,” said Mackay, reflecting on the way his team responded to their Tynecastle debacle. “We had a two-week break after the Hearts game and the first week back in it was time give them a cuddle and relax.

“It was time to lick our wounds, it wasn’t a time for me to react or go mad at them or go in a huff with them.

“We were going into the last five games and I know from experience that calmness in the last five games is what counts. It’s about having a calm training ground.

“Going into the Livingston game, there was a lot of pressure on us and people were wondering how we’d react but we reacted in a really positive way.

“It’s about keeping that going for these last few games. It’s really tight and we go to Motherwell next which will be really tough but we’re looking forward to it.”

Mackay was delighted to see striker Jordan White take his tally for the season to 10 goals with a close-range hat-trick at Tannadice.

“Jordan White takes some stick for a lack of goals but he’s been fundamental for me over the last two years,” said the Staggies boss.

“He works hard and other clubs know he causes them problems. It’s not just about his goals. Last year, Regan Charles-Cook, Joe Hungbo and Blair Spittal scored 27 goals (between them) and a lot of that was to do with Jordan.

“He’s looking good alongside the other strikers. I am delighted for him to get a hat-trick.”

Just as County looked doomed a few weeks ago, United seemed to be on their way to safety after winning their last three post-split fixtures.

But Jim Goodwin’s side – for whom Jamie McGrath scored a first-half penalty on Saturday – now find themselves three points adrift at the bottom going into their last three matches after suffering back-to-back defeats.

“We have been there before and got back off the bottom, so we have to do it again,” said Goodwin.

“We have three games to go so we have to try to win every single one of them because Ross County and Kilmarnock will pick up points.

“We have to raise our game for Livingston and go there with belief and personal pride. We have to show a bit of courage now.”

The 31-year-old Dutchman is in the form of his life with 26 goals for the Steelmen this season – five against County and 11 in his last eight games – and has been shortlisted for the PFA Scotland player of the year award, a notable achievement for a player at a bottom-six club.

County travel to Fir Park on Saturday on the back of two successive and morale-boosting victories, a 2-0 home win over Livingston and a 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Dundee United.

And with three fixtures remaining, the Dingwall outfit sit in the relegation play-off spot, two points ahead of the Tannadice outfit and one behind 10th placed Kilmarnock.

Asked about the threat of Van Veen, Staggies boss Mackay said: “He is in a real good vein of form and we just have to make sure we prepare properly in terms of our game plan.

“But Steven Fletcher (Dundee United) is a terrific centre-forward who we played against at the weekend and Duk (Aberdeen), Kyogo (Furuhashi, Celtic), I could keep going.

“Clubs have got good players up front in this league and we need to make sure we contain that.

“It was a terrific win for us last weekend obviously and it gives the boys that chance over the weekend to settle down and be focused and ready for the Motherwell game.

“We just focus on what is in front of our face like we did last week and the week before.

“The important situation was to bounce back from the Hearts game and get us back to where I believe we were leading up to that, in terms of the St Johnstone, Celtic and Aberdeen games, and get back to playing in a manner that is going to be tough for the opposition.

“We did against Livingston and followed that in the game against Dundee United, so that’s what we hope to bring to the last three games.

“It’s going to be a tough game without a doubt, it always is going to Fir Park and Stuart (Kettlewell) has done really well. They are in good form but we’re looking forward to it.

“We all have twists and turns to come and we have to make sure that we focus on ourselves and what is right in front of us.”