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1653: One bright note for frustrated Aberdeen fans. Teenage midfielder Fraser Fyvie looks back to his best after missing almost all of last season with a leg break.
1650: Full-time: Aberdeen 0-0 St JohnstoneThe Dons started impressively but both sides lacked menace in the final third. 1648: Full-time: Motherwell 3-0 Inverness
A comfortable win for the Steelmen, with Stevie Hammell, Jamie Murphy and Keith Lasley on target. The latter's strike is goal of the season, so far.
1645: Aberdeen and St Johnstone are huffing and puffing away but there is little to suggest the deadlock will be broken.
1643: Motherwell may not have made much of a splash in the transfer market but they look a tidy side. I'm sure manager Stuart McCall would still like to bring in a fresh face or two before the end of August.
1640: "So, Motherwell will sit proudly on top of the SPL this evening, and the question is - can anyone catch them?" BBC Scotland's Andy Burke at Fir Park.
1638: "I get three or four weeks off and I'm desperate to get back," Dundee United boss Peter Houston tells BBC Radio Scotland that he has no problem with the truncated summer break. United, already out of Europe, host Kilmarnock tomorrow.
1635: Aberdeen sub Josh Magennis makes a terrific surge into the danger area, leaving a trail of blue jerseys in his wake, but his shot is weak and wayward and the score remains 0-0.
A fantastic rocket shot from Keith Lasley nestles in the top corner to put Motherwell on Easy Street. "Top of the league, top of the league..."1633: GOAL Motherwell 3-0 Inverness (Lasley)
1631: Jamie Murphy continues to be a thorn in the side of Inverness, taking on Tom Aldred and flashing a shot wide.
1630: St Johnstone fancy their chances now that they are up against 10 men. I could have sworn I saw two players in blue enter the opposition penalty box.
1628: Inverness substitute Shane Sutherland lofts a volley over the crossbar as the Motherwell players argue about who should have been picking him up.
1625: You can see Aberdeen v St Johnstone 'as live' on BBC ALBA from 1730 this evening. Not a cracker but it's a chance to brush up on your Gaelic.
1622: Aberdeen are down to 10 men as Ryan Jack is sent packing for a rash lunge at Murray Davidson. Having seen a replay (courtesy of our friends at BBC ALBA), it looks like a harsh decision to me. 1618: Aberdeen go agonisingly close as a stray cross from Fraser Fyvie clears keeper Peter Enckleman only to cannon off the inside of the far post. Steven Anderson is first to the ball, hammering clear for the Saints.1615: "It looks as though Motherwell have taken the foot off the gas a wee bit. That's a dangerous thing to do," says Dundee United boss Peter Houston, the BBC Radio Scotland co-commentator at Fir Park.
1612: Enckleman makes a mess of the resultant corner but Murray Davidson is on hand to spare his blushes and blooter the ball away from the goal.
1611: Darren Mackie scampers on to a Peter Pawlett pass but can only find the outstretched frame of St Johnstone keeper Peter Enckleman with his shot.
1609: BBC Radio Scotland has its first mention of "handbags" for the new season, as Ross Tokely and Michael Higdon exchange pleasantries at Fir Park.1607: DigitalArmchair on Twitter using #bbcsportsound: "Dons really need a couple of goals to show their intent for the season ahead, anything less will be a real concern."
1604: Nicky Law looks like a useful addition to the Motherwell team as he goes close with an ambitious, dipping volley.
1601: We're off again at Fir Park, with the teams back out at Pittodrie...
1558: "When Aberdeen get to the final third, they just don't seem to have the guile to work an opening with little give-and-goes," former Dons striker Stevie Cowan tells BBC Radio Scotland listeners.
1555: It's been an entertaining match at Fir Park, with Inverness unlucky not to have scored. Terry Butcher's side are certainly not out of it.
1552: The host of scouts watching Jamie Murphy will be impressed. The Motherwell forward has been full of enterprising running and has his name of the score-sheet, along with Stevie Hammell.
1550: Aberdeen have enjoyed the bulk of possession, with Richard Foster galloping forward from left-back with real menace, but the Dons have nothing to show for all of their pressure.
1548: Half-time scores:Aberdeen 0-0 St Johnstone
Motherwell 2-0 Inverness
1547: Dons keeper David Gonzalez dives at the feet of Cillian Sheridan to prevent new St Johnstone striker from prodding the ball home.
1545: Stevie Hammell has got a taste for scoring now and his shot is blocked by the legs of Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson.
1542: Greg Tansey immediately gets another glimpse of goal but the Inverness midfielder is denied by a smart save from Darren Randolph.
1541: Inverness hit the woodwork for a second time, with Greg Tansey's free-kick smacking against the post.1537: Aberdeen are well on top at Pittodrie, with Cillian Sheridan an isolated figure up front for St Johnstone.
1534: I've had a chance to study David Gonzalez's barnet in greater detail and it's too elaborate to be described as a mere ponytail. The Dons keeper must have a few kirby grips in there.
1532: "Maybe it's the sunshine but the Inverness team look like their minds are still on the holiday beaches," BBC Scotland's Andy Burke at Fir Park.
1530: Aberdeen's Peter Pawlett recovers from a head knock to help work a one-two into the Saints box at Pittodrie, but defender Steven Anderson clears the danger.
Nicky Law splits the Inverness defence with a fine pass and Jamie Murphy races through to slip the ball under goalkeeper Ryan Esson to double the home side's lead.1528: GOAL Motherwell 2-0 Inverness (Murphy)
1527:BBC Radio Scotland commentator John Barnes reckons it's been seven-and-a-half years since Stevie Hammell last scored.
He doesn't score very often, but it's Stevie Hammell who is celebrating as his shot is deflected into the net to give Motherwell the lead.1525: GOAL Motherwell 1-0 Inverness (Hammell)
1523: Richie Foran misses an excellent chance for Inverness. Gregory Tade chests the ball down perfectly for the Irish forward and his effort from 12 yards clears the crossbar.
1521: Ouch! Aberdeen forward Darren Mackie clatters into Saints keeper Peter Enckleman, leaving the big Finn looking rather groggy. The Dons man gets off with a stern talking to from referee Steve Conroy.
1518: Inverness forward Richie Foran crashes a low shot against the post, with Motherwell goalkeeper Darren Randolph beaten all ends up.1514: Nicky Law slashes a shot wide of the Inverness goal after latching on to Michael Higdon's pass. Motherwell have made a bright start.
1513: Dons skipper Richard Foster is finding his range and warms the palms of Peter Enckleman with another dig from distance.
1510: St Johnstone keeper Peter Enckleman scrambles across his goal as Richard Foster's long range free-kick curls narrowly wide.
1508: Ryan Heatly on Twitter, using #bbcsportsound: "Come on you Reds, let's get the three points to kick start the Pa Broon revolution."
1505:Is David Gonzalez the first Aberdeen goalkeeper to sport a ponytail? The Colombian, on loan from Man City, has not been troubled so far.
1504: BBC Radio Scotland commentator John Barnes tells us that a host of clubs have representatives at Fir Park watching Jamie Murphy, including West Brom and Stoke.
1502: An early scare for Inverness and Jamie Murphy shows a great turn of pace before firing wide as he stumbles to the ground under pressure from a cluster of worried defenders.
1 1500: We're off at Fir Park and Pittodrie.1455: Ally McCoist is not talking to BBC Radio Scotland but the Rangers manager told other assembled members of the media at Ibrox that he hopes to have one more signing in before Tuesday's Champions League qualifier with Malmo.
1450: Youl Mawene, Isaac Osbourne and David Gonzalez make their competitive debuts for Aberdeen. Richard Foster, back at Pittodrie following a season-long loan spell at Rangers, skippers the Dons.
1448: TEAM LINE-UPS FROM PITTODRIE:
Aberdeen: Gonzalez, Mawene, Considine, Foster, Pawlett, Fyvie, Osbourne, Jack, Milsom, Vernon, Mackie. Subs: Jason Brown, Arnason, Paton, Magennis, Megginson, Low, Grimmer.
St Johnstone: Enckelman, MacKay, Wright, Anderson, Callum Davidson, Millar, Robertson, Morris, Murray Davidson, Craig, Sheridan. Subs: Mannus, Maybury, Moon, Haber, May, Moffat, Steeves.
1446: Former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan starts for St Johnstone following his loan move from Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia. Full teams to follow...
1444: "Fir Park is bathed in glorious sunshine. It's days like this the supporters of a move to summer football have in mind," says BBC Scotland's Andy Burke.1441: TEAM LINE-UPS FROM FIR PARK:
Motherwell: Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Humphrey, Jennings, Lasley, Law, Higdon, Murphy. Subs: Hollis, Saunders, McHugh, Smith, Halsman, Lawless, Carswell.
Inverness CT: Esson, Proctor, Tokely, Aldred, Gillet, Hayes, Tansey, Andrew Shinnie, Ross, Tade, Foran. Subs: Tuffey, Morrison, Shane Sutherland, Graeme Shinnie, Laing, Greg Smith
1439: "What's encouraging for me was the way we went about our business," adds Jim Jefferies. "We looked a good, balanced side."
1437: Danny Grainger was the pick of Hearts' summer signings, solid at the back and menacing in attack, but he was eclipsed by fellow full-back Ryan McGowan. The young Aussie was terrific.
1434: "I was really happy with the performance," Hearts boss Jim Jefferies tells BBC Radio Scotland. "The big difference in the second half was when we had to pull David Obua a bit deeper. He was causing them all sorts of problems."
1431: Can Inverness emulate last season's success? The Highlanders have lost top scorer Adam Rooney and released several experienced campaigners in favour of some new youthful recruits.
1428: Right, who will top the SPL table at the close of play today? Aberdeen v St Johnstone and Motherwell v Inverness to follow shortly...
1425: There were a few boos from the home support at the final whistle. That's maybe a bit harsh but Rangers were disjointed in the first half and lacked a creative spark in the middle of the park.
1423: Full-time: Rangers 1-1 HeartsAlly McCoist's managerial career gets off to a shaky start as Hearts hold on for a deserved share of the spoils at Ibrox. The visitors were on top in the first half and led through David Obua's header. Steven Naismith grabbed the equaliser as the SPL champions improved after the interval.
1422: A foul is given for Naismith's challenge on Kello. Have Hearts weathered the late Rangers storm?
1421: Hearts are pinned back defending their penalty box as Rangers probe for an opening.
1419: We'll get three minutes of added time...
1418: Sasa Papac breaks into the penalty area after a give and go with Steven Naismith but the Rangers full-back can't get any purchase on his shot and it's an easy save for Marian Kello.
1415: Five minutes, plus stoppage time, to go. Will we get a winning goal?
1413: Gregg Wylde fires a good early ball into the danger zone but Hearts keeper Marian Kello pounces on it ahead of Nikica Jelavic at the near post.
1410: Suddenly it's Hearts that have a second wind and the men in maroon are winning more than their fair share of tackles in midfield.
1408: Whoooafff! David Obua connects sweetly with a strike from the edge of the penalty area and Allan McGregor makes an acrobatic fingertip save to deny the Hearts man.
1407: We have 15 minutes remaining at Ibrox and the score is locked a 1-1. Rangers are on the ascendancy but Hearts are holding on.
1405: Rangers make their first change, with Gregg Wylde coming on for Juan Manuel Ortiz.
1402: Steven Naismith lofts a cheeky pass over the Hearts defence but Nikica Jelavic is beaten to the ball by alert keeper Marian Kello.
1358: Several Hearts players appear to be flagging in the Glasgow sunshine but the Jambos have already used up two subs.1355: Nikica Jelavic rolls the ball into an unguarded net but had strayed a inch or two offside in the swift build-up. Rangers well on top.
1352: Rangers are much more comfortable in possession now and full-backs Sasa Papac and Steven Whittaker are bombing on at every opportunity. The game has completely turned on its head.
1350: A couple of quick bookings as Lee McCulloch violently upends Ian Black and Hearts skipper Marius Zaliukas annoys referee Calum Murray by mouthing off. It's been coming. Sasa Papac does brilliantly to win a crunching tackle and charge forward to pick out Steven Naismith with a cross. The Scotland forward does the business, glancing the ball home from seven yards.1348: GOAL Rangers 1-1 Hearts (Naismith)
1347: Ally McCoist is sticking with his vantage point in the main stand but he's almost chewing the telephone that's pressed to his ear.
1344: Our colleagues from BBC Wales tell us Cardiff City hope to finalise the signing of Kenny Miller from Turkish side Bursaspor on Monday after he passed a medical and agreed personal terms. Rangers, of course, failed with a bid to bring him back to Ibrox.
1341: Hearts send on Stephen Elliott for David Templeton. Strange one that, the winger was very bright in the first half.
1339: Steven Naismith slashes an angled shot over the crossbar and the same player heads wide from the near post soon after. The revitalised Ortiz provided the ammunition on both occasions and Hearts are on the ropes.
1338: Good stuff again from Kello as he gets down smartly to save a shot from Steven Davis and is up again swiftly to smother the loose ball.
1337: Rangers force a corner after a promising run from Ortiz and Marian Kello has to push away a header from Kirk Broadfoot.
1335: We're up and running again at Ibrox, No changes in personnel. Hearts lead 1-0.1334: Hearts are making their way back out on to the park. I'm guessing manager Jim Jefferies will have been saying 'more of the same, please'.
1329: Ally McCoist watched the first-half action from the stand. Will the new Gers boss be down on the touchline after the break? Does it really matter where the manager is?
1326: Thomas Piermayr has agreed a one-year contract with Inverness following a successful trial. The 21-year-old will be in today's squad after rejecting a new deal with LASK Linz and overtures from MK Dons.
1323: Don't forget, we have Motherwell v Inverness and Aberdeen v St Johnstone to come at 1500.
1318: Half-time: Rangers 0-1 HeartsHearts are well worth their lead, having been the livelier side in the first 45 minutes. David Obua's header separates the sides at Ibrox.
1317: Play is held up after a nasty clash of heads between Steven Whittaker and David Templeton. Both men look groggy but should be fine to continue.
1314: Nikica Jelavic knocks the ball into the path of Steven Naismith inside the penalty area but Ian Black flies in with a great blocking tackle.
1311: Australian full-back Ryan McGowan has had a great first half for Hearts. The 21-year-old has not put a foot wrong.
1309: Hearts are looking pretty comfortable, with Rangers struggling to create any meaningful openings.
1306: More tugging of shirts in the Hearts penalty box as Marian Kello gathers a deep cross from Steven Davis at the second attempt.
1305: David Obua should maybe have doubled his tally after running on to a great pass from David Templeton. Allan McGregor was out quickly but the big Ugandan lacked composure as he lashed a first-time shot into the side-netting.
1302: David Templeton breaks down the left but is bumped off the ball by Steven Davis, who is a tad fortunate to escape a booking for obstruction. Danny Grainger is in the thick of it again as the ball zips dangerously around the Rangers penalty box. The home fans are not happy.
1259: An anonymous wag texts 80295 to say: "Can we stop the league now? Hearts win the title, Aberdeen and Celtic qualify for Europe, Rangers get relegated."
1256: New Rangers signing Juan Manuel Ortiz has been very quiet on the left. The Spaniard has hardly had a touch.
1254: David Templeton squirms through a couple of defenders to reach a flick-on from John Sutton but his toe-poke is blocked by the advancing Allan McGregor. Good save.
1251: Rangers have to defend another corner after John Sutton's shot is deflected wide. Danny Grainger's delivery again causes all sorts of problems but play is stopped after a handball from David Obua.
1249: There is a lot of pushing and shoving in the penalty area as captain-for-the-day Steven Davis swings in a Rangers corner. Several players end up in a heap but referee Calum Murray takes no action.
Hearts win their second corner kick of the day and David Obua rises impressively to bullet in a header from Danny Grainger's excellent delivery.1246: GOAL Rangers 0-1 Hearts (Obua)
1243: Maurice Edu charges after a spinning, loose ball in the Hearts penalty area but goalkeeper Marian Kello remains composed to gather ahead of the muscular American.
1241: Rangers keeper Allan McGregor is off his line swiftly to smother the ball at the feet of David Templeton after a defence-splitting pass from David Obua. Hearts have been lively.
1239: Early change for Hearts. The injury-plagued Andy Webster trots off to be replaced by Adrian Mrowiec. Eggert Jonsson will slot in to central defence.
1237: Ian Black collects the ball 22 yards out and glimpses up at the top corner but the Hearts midfielder's shot sails harmlessly over.
1235: Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic controls a Steven Whittaker cross with his chest and drags a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area.
1233: Ian Black lofts a great diagonal ball over the home defence but David Templeton's first touch lets him down and the ball runs on to Rangers keeper Allan McGregor.
1232:Adam from Derby is a fan of Lee McCulloch - by text to 80295: "Good to see Big Lee in the middle again. What a legend. Need get rid of Edu tho. He may cost us the game. Will be won in the middle and he's a liability."
1230: We're off and the ball goes straight through to keeper Marian Kello, who is lucky to see his kick ricochet off Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic and back into his arms.1229: It looks like John Sutton will operate as a lone striker for Hearts, with support from Taouil, Obua and Templeton.
1227: The Ibrox crowd are treated to a wee fireworks display but the flag isn't playing ball due to the complete absence of breeze inside the stadium.
1225: Rangers owner Craig Whyte gets a warm round of applause as he takes to the field to unfurl the championship flag.
1222: Colin in Glasgow via text on 80295: "If McCoist plays Edu and McCulloch this season he may as well give Celtic the league right now! We just scraped the championship last year, there's been too many re-signings and not enough new signings. Giving McCulloch a 3-year contract is a joke, and stinks of jobs for the boys."
Come on Colin, the season hasn't even started yet! Save your mumping until half-time at least...
1220: "I think this will be a really close game," says BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds. "Rangers might just edge it but they will have to be right on their game."
1217: "Usually everybody is anticipating the season and there's a buzz going on," Hearts manager Jim Jefferies tells BBC Radio Scotland. "But the break has been so short that it feels like a continuation. We have brought these guys in on freedom of contract and I thought it was a good piece of business. The deals were done early and they all wanted to play for Hearts."
1214: The Scottish Football Association has launched a new initiative to encourage clubs to develop and promote young players. SPL sides selecting two Scottish under-21 players in their starting line-up in any competitive match will receive £750 and £1,000 for selecting three or more. No extra cash for the sides at Ibrox then.
1211: TEAM LINE-UPS FROM IBROX:
Rangers: McGregor, Whittaker, Bougherra, Broadfoot, Papac, McCulloch, Juanma Ortiz, Davis, Edu, Naismith, Jelavic. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Wallace, Healy, Wylde, Bendiksen, Hemmings.
Hearts: Kello, McGowan, Zaliukas, Webster, Grainger, Black, Jonsson, Templeton, Obua, Taouil, Sutton. Subs: Balogh, Elliott, Stevenson, Novikovas, Gordon Smith, Robinson, Mrowiec.
1204: Hearts hand league debuts to Danny Grainger, John Sutton and Mehdi Taouil but another summer signing, Jamie Hamill, is suspended.
1203: Hearts sold left-back Lee Wallace to Rangers this week but the Scotland international has to be content with a place on the bench. Spanish midfielder Juan Manuel Ortiz makes his Ibrox debut, while Kirk Broadfoot replaces suspended skipper David Weir in central defence.
1201: Rangers were celebrating their 54th title success on 15 May after a thumping win at Rugby Park saw them pip Celtic by a single point. It wasn't long ago but much has changed at Ibrox, with Ally McCoist stepping up to replace Walter Smith in the hot seat.
1158: First up, we have Rangers unfurling the championship flag at Ibrox before their 1230 date with Hearts. At three o'clock, Aberdeen host St Johnstone and Motherwell entertain Inverness.
1155: Good morning and welcome to the new football season. No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you and no, you have not overslept by three weeks, the Scottish Premier League really is kicking off after a shortened summer break.
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