Damage in the Box!: SCOTTISH 'DOUBLE HEADER' (St Mirren & Morton)

C'mon boys and girls, you should know me by now!

Never look a gift horse in the mouth...especially when it's a cheeky Scottish double...

12.30pm Saturday 26th September 2009
Scottish Premier League
St Mirren v Celtic
Attendance: 6,164

Thanks to TV coverage, this game was moved to an early kick off. This presented the chance to "tick" off the new St Mirren stadium, and double it up with something a little more interesting. As you would expect the ground is nice, tidy and has all the modern comforts expected at a 21st century stadium. And it looks exactly the same as every other bloody new ground, apart from their black seats, obviously. Bland, soulless and no atmosphere...grrreat. Not a patch on Love Street i'm afraid.

St Mirren moved into this ground at the beginning of the year, but are yet to register a home win in 2009 and are, as usual, struggling near the foot of the table. Celtic on the other hand are locked in their annual battle with Rangers to see who wins the SPL by the odd couple of points.

The game was absolute dross from beginning to end, the only highlight was a stunning Pat McCourt goal after 27 minutes, when he skipped through the St Mirren half, avoiding at least four tackles before slotting home. Scot McDonald added a second goal midway through the second half to take the points back to Parkhead. The goal had a wee bit of controvesy about it as McDonald got the faintest of touches to an Aidan McGeady curling cross/shot, but was in an offside position. The match officials never seen this touch and let the goal stand.

St Mirren offered no real threat and barely troubled Artur Boric in the Celtic goal. I was sat not to far from the Celtic bench and could clearly see some of the expressions on Tony Mowbray's face, not a happy bunny. Was it just the performance or the poor standard of competition, who knows? Maybe he should have stuck with the Baggies.

Tony Mowbray in full voice

After this game had ended it was a quick dash up the M8 to...

3pm Saturday 26th September 2009

Scottish Football League Division One

Morton v Airdrie United

Attendance: 2,104

After travelling to Paisley with no sense of anticipation whatsoever, the journey to Greenock was a somewhat different kettle of fish. Cappielow Park, the home of Morton is a fantastic ground, not looking a day younger since it (probably) had a lick of paint in the 1960's!! The ground has an old wooden main stand, a large covered terrace that runs along one side of the pitch and two open terraces behind each goal. One of the terraces behind the goal was closed, as it is being 'modernised' by, ironically, having the old roof from Love Street put on it.

It was just a crying shame the game never lived up to its surroundings. It was another 90 minutes of crap. Both teams are struggling at the foot of the table (this match was 9th v 10th) and Morton sacked their Manager, Dave Irons, in the week before this game. Airdrie weren't in this Division at the start of season and were only promoted when Livingston were kicked into Division three, so you could argue that their team IS a second division team (because that looks like where they are heading).

The game was settled ten minutes from time when Brian Graham finished from four yards out, after a shot was parried, despite doing his best to miss by standing on the ball (or if I was feeling kind, steadying himself). The crowd erupted, more in relief as anything as this goal secured Ton their first home win of the season. Graham was also booked for his troubles.

A great day was rounded off by (amongst others) a trip to the Fox and Hounds, which is the home of the Houston Brewing Company...hic!