Record Sport’s top team discuss all the big issues from the weekend including the race for Europe and relegation
Nicolas Kuhn stormed back to form against Hibs – has the Celtic winger done enough to hold off James Forrest’s bid for a Scottish Cup final start?
KEITH JACKSON: That’s a toughie. At his peak, Kuhn is a certain starter but he’s been some way off it for a while. Forrest. on the other hand, always does what it says on the tin and Rodgers might be tempted to give the veteran a silver lining to end his season.
ANDY NEWPORT: Kuhn looked like he was set to scrap it out with Daizen Maeda for the PoY prizes after a stunning first six months of the campaign but he’s tailed off recently. Saturday’s display was a step back in the right direction after a few weeks in and out of Rodgers’ side. His freshness edge might get him the nod.
GRAEME YOUNG: The slaloming runs of the early season are slowly returning and his goal coupled with pitching wedge assist for Idah has him trending in the right direction. The trio of Kuhn, Idah and Maeda is working a trick.
RYAN McDONALD: Recency bias would indicate that it’s a toss of the coin but the German has proved he’s a man for the big occasion by scoring in cup finals and the Champions League. Veteran Forrest continues to defy age but 21-goal wide man Kuhn deserves the nod.
St Johnstone’s kept their survival fight alive by beating Ross County – who do you think is bound for the drop?
KEITH: It all feels a bit too little too late from the Saints. They have given themselves an outside chance but top flight survival remains a long shot.
ANDY: Time is running out for the Perth men but County are giving them every encouragement having lost seven in a row. That spells trouble for the stagnant Staggies.
GRAEME: Simo Valakari’s glass half full attitude deserved rewards and he’s teed up the Saints for a Gorgie street fight. If they break Hearts and plummeting Ross County lose at Dens then the Staggies’ fate may be sealed before the final day.
RYAN: The Saints have looked doomed for months but Saturday demonstrated they won’t be going down without a fight. County are dropping like a stone and it wouldn’t surprise me if Simo Valakari masterminds the great escape.
Are Dundee United’s European hopes dwindling after their defeat to St Mirren?
KEITH: It’s more a matter of the momentum which St Mirren have been building in recent weeks. Stephen Robinson continues to defy all the odds and – even though his side has to go to Celtic Park on the final day – he might just pull another rabbit out of the hat by claiming fifth place.
ANDY: That trip to Parkhead on the final day might just be the hurdle that trips up the Buddies but Robinson’s side deserve huge praise for the way they’ve kept roaring forward since the split.
GRAEME: Yes. Jim Goodwin deserves praise for his work upon Dundee United’s return to the top flight but they are running out of steam at the wrong time. The goals are drying up and the backline is creaking with the Saints ready to pounce.
RYAN: That was a real missed opportunity for the Tangerines and there’s no doubt that Jim Goodwin will be peaking over his shoulder at the miracle worker Stephen Robinson’s relentless St Mirren, who could well sneak into fifth.
Partick Thistle edged out Ayr to make the play-off semis – but will the Championship hopefuls be strong enough to get the better of team 11 in the Premiership?
KEITH: They’ve never quite gotten over the near miss from a couple of seasons ago and seem hellbent on putting that right this season. Don’t rule it out.
ANDY: History seems to favour the top-flight teams in these end-of-season slug outs. But there could be a twist to that factor too. If it is St Johnstone, they will march in full of confidence having dodged automatic demotion. If it’s County, what sort of shape will they be in after their long losing run? It’s certainly set up for an intriguing showdown.
GRAEME: It depends on who is representing the top flight, you wouldn’t back Ross County making it a hat-trick of playoff Final wins but a born-again Saints might be hard to stop. Livingston appear streetwise for the battles ahead.
RYAN: If it’s County, then the Staggies are the masters of survival when it comes to a two-legged scrap. But my bet is on savvy Livingston going all the way to secure promotion at the first time of asking.
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