Scotland round-up: Aberdeen celebrate UEFA Cup qualification
Saturday, April 20, 2002
Article summary
Aberdeen FC secured a place in next season's UEFA Cup after seeing off Livingston FC 3-0.
Article body
First-half goals
Ebbe Skovdahl's side won the game in the first half when they scored three times without reply. Leon Mike started the goal spree on eight minutes, capitalising on slack play by goalkeeper Javier Sánchez Broto and Marvin Andrews to net from close range.
Mackie strikes
Defender Phil McGuire was on hand to make the most of a Robbie Winters flick in the 12th minute and put the Dons further ahead. Aberdeen then salted the wound with a decisive third goal on 38 minutes - striker Darren Mackie rounding Oscar Rubio and shooting home from 14 metres to send the Dons support into raptures.
Livingston hope
The Pittodrie fans waved Danish flags in praise of manager Skovdahl, who is starting to enjoy the success he was accustomed to in his homeland with Brøndby IF. Livingston lie fourth in the table and remain favourites to join Celtic FC, Rangers FC and Aberdeen in Europe next term.
Hearts triumph
But they cannot be assured of that after Heart of Midlothian FC kept up their late surge with a 2-0 defeat of Dunfermline Athletic FC at Tynecastle. Canadian international Kevin McKenna scored for the second week running with a clever volley from Steve Fulton's free-kick in the 59th minute.
Penalty saved
Goalkeeper Antti Niemi then saved a penalty from Dunfermline's Scott Thomson after Colin Nish had been fouled in the box by Alan Maybury. Andy Kirk completed the scoring when he accepted a pass from Ricardo Fuller to make it 2-0 with a low, left-foot shot on 79 minutes. Hearts' final fixture is at home to Livingston on 12 May - a game that could yet decide which of the teams goes into Europe.
Derby joy for United
Dundee United FC edged the Tayside derby against Dundee FC at Dens Park. The only goal came from the unfortunate Lee Wilkie, who inadvertently steered the ball into his own net after 41 minutes. The result saw United leapfrog Dundee into eighth place.
Johnson sinks Saints
Tommy Johnson struck twice in ten minutes to help Kilmarnock FC to victory over Saint Johnstone FC at McDiarmid Park. The ex-Celtic striker scored on 50 and 59 minutes, and Kris Boyd added a late third, to send Saints to their 26th reverse of a miserable campaign
Partick promoted
Partick Thistle FC will be in the Scottish top flight next season after they beat Saint Mirren FC 2-0 to claim the first division title. Mark McCulloch and Derek Fleming were the men on target.
Sunday games
Celtic play Glasgow rivals Rangers tomorrow while Hibernian FC entertain Motherwell FC in the weekend's two remaining Scottish Premier League games.