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SPL RESULT:

Hearts 0-0 Hibernian

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By David Sharp

1700: In the ridiculous words of George from Blackadder: 'It's been a top-hole afternoon in the SPL, with a ying and a yang and a yippy-dee-doo.'

Join me tomorrow: same time, same place for more footballing high jinks. Thanks again for all your chat. Bye for now!

1659: Let's not forget that United are breathing down Rangers' neck in third place, only eight points adrift of the Ibrox men (not to mention maintaining their three point lead over Hearts in the race for a Uefa Cup spot).

Well, eight points is still a healthy chasm, but Walter Smith's side will feel a faint, wet warmth on their collective necks...it's getting stronger and heavier...like an excitable blood-hound closing in on an escaped convict wading through a wooded marsh in chains in a Hollywood movie...unless they can defeat Craig Brewster's free-falling Caley Thistle on Sunday...watch this space.

1657: Celtic's rare slip-up at home this afternoon gives their old foes Rangers the opportunity to close the gap at the top of the tree if they can escape Inverness with victory or even a draw tomorrow. A win would narrow the gulf to five points. Who said the league was over?

1656: A cacophony of boos reverberated through the wintry Parkhead night at the full-time whistle as disgruntled Celtic fans made their feelings clear.

I must say, I think they're being a tad harsh on their side - after all, the reigning champions are still sitting pretty, a whopping eight points clear, at the giddy peak of the table. What gives? Some people are never happy...

1655: "For me it was a fantastic second-half performance by Dundee United and I think the man who changed the game with his energy was Willo Flood."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo McLeod

I agree Murdo. Wee waif-like Willo the Wisp flitted about the field to great effect, belying his Mr Muscle stature.

1654: "Great result for Dundee Utd today, good on them. They are a great team and have a great manager. I would love to see them get third place. They deserve it, for Eddie Thompson. Come on the Rangers tomorrow!!!" MapleRidgeBear on My Sport Join the debate

1652: Full-time: Celtic 2-2 Dundee United.
A stirring comeback from United. Celtic were on easy street after Samaras fired them into a two-goal lead but Craig Levein's men never let their heads drop and fully deserved a point at Celtic Park.

1651: Full-time: Hamilton 2-0 Aberdeen.
Great win for Billy Reid's youngsters which lifts them off the bottom of the SPL table. Jimmy Calderwood's men were decimated with the flu. But let's not take anything away from Accies: they were worthy winners. And it's a rare double whammy over the Dons for Hamilton this season.

1650:Full-time: Falkirk 1-1 Kilmarnock.
As the dust settles at the Falkirk Stadium on a battle royale, it's a share of the war booty for both sides but, by most accounts, Killie should have nicked all three points. After four defeats on the bounce the Bairns at least stopped the rot with a battling point.

1649: Tommy Scobbie clears a late Gavin Skelton effort off the line! With seconds to go he's saved Falkirk's bacon!

1648-and-a-half:Full-time: St Mirren 0-0 Motherwell.
No fairytale ending for the Buddies as a referee's whistle toots for the last time in anger at Love Street. They think it's all over; it is now.

1648:Sending off at New Douglas Park. Falkirk goalscorerRichard Offiong blots his copy book when he receives a second yellow card for petulantly kicking the ball away. Off with Offiong! Offiong is off!

1646: Two final final final ever minutes of added time at Love Street. Can Saints end on a high note?

1644: Richard Offiong's shot is inches wide of the target as Aberdeen continue to struggle in defence. Accies are going for the jugular. If the ailing Dons were a racehorse they would be taken to the paddocks and put out of their misery...

1643: "Come on the Dundee United! 2-2! Let's go for the win. We all know what will happen though, Celtic score in the 95th minute. Just wait and see!" MapleRidgeBear on My Sport Join the debate

O ye of little faith! Although I can perfectly understand your concerns...Celtic are the world champions at last-gasp winners...is there to be a final twist in this fascinating tale at Celtic Park?

1641: "Maros Klimpl's thunderbolt somehow stays out of the net for Motherwell. The visitors claim for handball."
BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg

1640: Donovan Simmonds hits the bar! Kilmarnock are asserting a relentless amount of pressure.

1638: Billy 'Mehmet Must Score' has come on for the Buddies in a last desperate attempt to eke out a final victory at Love Street.

1636: Goal! Celtic 2-2 Dundee United
Paul Dixon's long punt forward is nodded on by Jon Daly into the path of Warren Feeney in the Celtic box who manages to telescopically extend his leg beyond Gary Caldwell's and toe-poke the ball past Boruc.

1635: Goal! Hamilton 2-0 Aberdeen
Accies surely seal the points at New Douglas Park. Richard Offiong uses his muscular frame to resist the challenge of Scott Severin and lashes the ball into the net.

1634: A halt in the tear-drenched proceedings at Love Street as Franco 'Carmen' Miranda is wriggling around on the deck like a beached flounder.

1633: Hamilton's David Graham sees his shot spilled by Jamie Langfield but Zander Diamond clears the ball before Richard Offiong can latch onto the rebound.

1632: "Both sides have worked so hard. They're out on their feet."
BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg at Love Street

1630: Darren Mackie heads wide of a gaping Hamilton goal as the Dons blow a great chance to equalise.

1628: It's starting to hot up out all over the country...in a manner of speaking...on the field of play that is...of course the mean temperature in the various stadia is still sitting around the duffel-coat jumpsuit notch on the thermometer.

1626: Goal! Falkirk 1-1 Kilmarnock
Jim Jefferies side draw level as David Fernandez stoops to glance Willie Gibson's cross past Tomas Cerny.

1624: A flurry of yellow cards at the Falkirk stadium...James Fowler, Willie Gibson and Neil McCann are all booked.

"It's getting a bit spicy here!" says BBC Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont

1623: This time it's United's turn to clear the ball off the line after Scott Brown reacts with otherworldly speed from 10 yards out after Celtic-bound goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska flaps at a cross.

1622: Feeney makes an instant impact. He pounces on Barry Robson's loose pass-back, streaks clean through on goal and takes the ball nonchalantly round Boruc before driving the ball towards the yawning empty net...it must be 2-2! No!

Celtic skipper Stephen McManus bursts a lung to race back and hoof the ball heroically off the line.

1621: Dundee United respond to their goal by bringing on striker Warren Feeney. Not sure who he replaced. I'll find out.

1620: First change of the match at Love Street as Saints' Craig Dargo replaces Jim Hamilton. He hit the winner last week and it's his birthday today - he's 31.

1619: Goal! Celtic 2-1 Dundee United
United hit back straight away: Paul Dixon curls a superb free-kick beyond Artur Boruc from 25 yards. Game on!

1617: Goal! Celtic 2-0 Dundee United
A perfectly flighted left-footed curling free-kick from Nakamura is met by the head of Georgios Samaras to double Celtic's lead. Shocking defending again from Lee Wilkie.

1614: "Come on Motherwell. McGarry to come on and score the winner." kevmfc on My Sport Join the debate

Ya reckon? It's getting a tad tousy out there. A drab encounter but engaging due to the surrounding emotions.

1610: By the way: Paul Caddis replaced Mark Wilson at right-back for Celtic a few minutes ago. No news as yet whether it is tactical or because of an injury.

1608:Goal! Hamilton Accies 1-0 Aberdeen
Cool as a cucumber, Simon Mensing converts the 51st minute penalty to give Accies the lead.

1607:Penalty! Referee Stephen Finnie awards Hamilton a spot-kick after James McCarthy is felled by Zander Diamond.

1606: And the 21-year-old Scot takes another top scalp as he breaks the Spaniard's serve to wrap up the third and final set 6-3. Of course, the talented Mr Murray ousted Roger Federer a mere two days ago.

Impressive stuff! On yerself the big man! Gives the world number 4 from Dunblane a terrific psychological edge over Federer and Nadal going into the tennis season's first Grand Slam, the Australian Open in Melbourne in 16 days time.

1605: Allow me to venture off piste, at a sporting tangent for a seccie: Scotland's Andy Murray has three match points against Rafael Nadal in the World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.

1604: "10,189 fans here at Love Street for the final SPL encounter at the stadium."
BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg

1603: Aberdeen's Jeffery De Vissher sends a shot past the Hamilton post. The moody Dutchman has suddenly regained his interest in the game...and he's magically beamed himself back to New Douglas Park too!

1556: "Raver or no Raver - this ref is ruining the game today." afcmontana on My Sport Join the debate

Ref Stephen Finnie clearly needs to curb his whistling at New Douglas Park. Or perhaps someone should wrestle the flamin' thing off him?!

1554: "Typical! United lose an early goal against the cheating Hoops and will now play them off the park and not get a goal. Already we've had decisions against us. JamieMcGDUFC on My Sport Join the debate

1552: "Motherwell's Paul Quinn is lucky still to be on the park...he caught John Potter with a flying elbow just before half-time although I don't know if it was intentional."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds

1550: "United, for me, in the first 25 minutes sat too far back. They did not get forward enough. When they changed their formation, they started to get forward and caused problems. But Celtic look comfortable, are passing the ball sharply and a second goal would kill the game"
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo McLeod

1546: Time for tea and biscuits. I'll take one of those four-fingered Kit-Kats please.

1544: Half-time everywhere. Celtic hold a slender advantage over Dundee United thanks to Samaras' cool finish; Falkirk hold a similar one-goal lead against Killie courtesy of Steve Lovell. It's a pair of stalemates at New Douglas Park and Love Street.

1543: "Celtic are trying to avoid playing long balls through the middle because of Lee Wilkie and Garry Kenneth as they are getting their heads to everything"
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo McLeod

1542:Goal! Falkirk 1-0 Kilmarnock
The ball takes a wee deflection off Frazer Wright and falls into the path of Steve Lovell, who sticks it in the back of the net with aplomb.

1541: "The referee's not letting the game flow. He's really spoiling the game."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Steve Cowan at New Douglas Park

The whistle-happy raver will not let it lie...

1540: "39 minutes gone and a distinct lack of chat about pies..." afcmontana on My Sport Join the debate

I'm happy to talk about anything...pies included...so, what's going in the wonderful world of pies these days?

1539: "Jeffrey De Visscher looks like a player who doesn't want to be on the park."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Steve Cowan at New Douglas Park

1538: Hamilton's David Graham flashes a shot across the face of the Aberdeen goal. In fact, it flashes straight across the goal and out of play. Absolute guff.

1537: Keith Lasley shoots straight at St Mirren keeper Mark Howard after Well surged forward in numbers. This actually happened a couple of minutes ago. I'm playing catch up at the moment. It's a goalless frenzy out there I tell thee!

1536: "For all the Falkirk pressure, they've not had too many chances. Kilmarnock have had the best two chances."
BBC Scotland pundit Stevie Frail

1535: "Willo Flood said that his brother and some of his pals, Celtic fans, were coming over from Ireland for the game. He would have been hoping to disappoint them, but so far it is his brother who will be the happier."BBC Radio Scotland commentator John Barnes at Celtic Park

1534: "Motherwell will need to keep it tight for the first half hour and get the crowd quite then go for it." kevmfc on My Sport Join the debate

Mark McGhee's side have already achieved that...the home fans are as quiet as a gaggle of church mice on a sponsored mute-a-thon...

1533: "What Craig Levein is looking at is using Danny Swanson's speed out wide and wanting Willo Flood in the middle of the park for his running power as they need to match Scott Brown in there." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Murdo McLeod on a switch in tactics by Dundee United against Celtic

1532: "Celtic need to really put pressure on Rangers by getting the win today. A win for Celtic combined with Rangers dropping points and the title race could be as good as over..." bhoys909 on My Sport Join the debate

I think you could be bang on there bhoyo. What a load of rubbish though if the league were all but done and dusted before people's Christmas trees have even come down...

1531: Willie Gibson boots the advertising hoardings in frustration as he flashes a shot wide. A superb chance gone begging for Kilmarnock. Temper temper!

1528: "This game is being played like a derby or a cup tie."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds at Love Street

1527: It's all Celtic; they're swarming forward in foaming waves of green-and-white hooped shirts. Barry Robson's left-foot daisy-cutter takes a deflection and fizzes narrowly wide.

1526: Falkirk's Michael Higdon volleys straight into the arms of Kilmarnock keeper Damien Rascle. Another good chance squandered by the home side.

1525: Not a lot happening at New Douglas Park with referee Stephen Finnie's whistle providing a persistent barrier to flowing football. Whistle-happy I think the phrase is...he's like a ned stripped to the waist with an illuminous head-band, punching the air and tooting away like a man possessed at an early 1990s illegal rave...not that I ever attended one of those. I saw it on the telly.

1523: "Aberdeen are showing no signs of the sickness that was flowing through the camp earlier in the week."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Steve Cowan

1522: Scott Arfield's shot is scrambled away for a corner. Falkirk are on top, but it's still goalless at the Falkirk Stadium

1521: "It's become a real battle in the middle of the park. A real battle of wills."
BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg at Love Street.

Is he talking about Prince Wills?

1519: Lee Wilkie makes some amends for his error at Celtic's goal, setting up Scott Robertson inside the box, but the midfielder's low drive is touched wide by goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

1517: "Falkirk have probably been the brighter of the two sides."
BBC Scotland commentator Alasdair Lamont

1516: Chris Porter's header for Motherwell edges agonisingly over the bar. The farewell bunting shook nervously in the breeze at Love Street.

1515: Goal! Celtic 1-0 Dundee United
The hyperactive Scott Brown again nicks the ball off Lee Wilkie and sets up Georgios Samaras for a simple and clinically-taken goal. The wild-haired Greek sidefoots the ball home from 16 yards.

1512: A delightful chip by Georgios Samaras drifts wide of the far post as Celtic begin to crank up the pressure on Dundee United.

1511: Celtic midfielder Scott Brown collects Scott McDonald's intelligent lay-off and powers towards the edge of the box before firing wastefully wide.

1510: "Hugh Murray will have to watch himself after his early booking at Love Street. It has heaped so much pressure on him."
BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg.

1509: Hamilton's Richard Offiong fires high over the Aberdeen bar after being set-up by James McCarthy. That was very close to being the opening SPL goal of the new year.

1508: "Despite our team (Aberdeen) being hit by flu the only change from the same starting XI against Hearts is Mair for Mulgrew with Foster going to left-back. Bench is packed with young-uns so might get a chance to see what the next crop of youngsters to come through Pittodrie can do?" quigglesworth on My Sport Join the debate

That's more like it! Yeaaah! Yeaaaaaaah! (said in the maniacal voice of the unhinged goon from a certain mobile phone ad)

1507: St Mirren's Garry Brady turns brilliantly in the box, but Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith blocks his powerful strike. Super stop.

1506: Nowt much happening thus far. All quiet on the western front. Ditto My Sport. Where are you all today? Surely not still nursing gargantuan Hogmanay hangovers?! C'mon let's have some of your boisterous banter. Join the debate

1504: "Motherwell are playing in St Mirren's half so far. The Saints fans are subdued."
BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds

1502: Dundee United boss Craig Levein has gone with one up front, bringing in rampaging midfielder Danny Swanson for striker Warren Feeney.

1501: Supporters observed a minute's silence for former Falkirk manager George Miller before kick off at the Falkirk stadium.

1500: And we're off!

1459: Apparently an army of St Mirren stewards will be frisking home fans coming through the turnstiles at Love Street today in order to confiscate any 'tools' that fans might have hidden on their person to (allegedly) use to take home souvenirs of the old stadium.

1458: The teams run out the tunnel for the final SPL match at Love Street with a galaxy of former Saints stars in the stand. I'm not crying; I've just got something in my eye.

1457: Dundee United have only scored once against Celtic in their last five meetings. However, the Tangerines have twice held the SPL champions to draws in their previous three encounters.

1456: Falkirk's veteran midfield maestro Russell Latapy headed off to sunnier climes this week, returning home to his native Trinidad & Tobago to coach the national team. The party-going, chain-smoking, crowd-pleasing 40-year-old's impish presence will be sorely missed after a colourful decade in Scottish football.

What are your favourite Latapy stories? I love anything from the time he was larging it up with fellow Trinidadian Dwight Yorke and his unwieldily-cleavaged squeeze of the time, Jordan! In Top Gun parlance, Latapy was Maverick to Yorke's Iceman. Join the debate

1453: The dandy Dons travel to deepest Lanarkshire in search of their fifth victory in a row - something they haven't managed since the halcyon days of Britpop (1995 to be exact). All together now: "She came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge, she studied sculpture at Saint Martin's College; that's where I, caught her eye..."

Anyhoo, Jimmy Calderwood's men are also seeking to avenge Hamilton's early season win at Pittodrie. Aberdeen have been ravaged by a demonic festive lurgy but Billy Reid's young cherubs will show no mercy as they aim for their third straight home win in the SPL.

1451: Finally, team news from New Douglas Park

Hamilton: Cerny, Elebert, Canning, McLaughlin, Easton, McClenahan, McArthur, McCarthy, Mensing, Graham, Offiong. Subs: Murdoch, Gow, Gibson, Swailes, Akins, Lyle, Thomas.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Mair, Diamond, De Visscher, Foster, Severin, Kerr, McDonald, Aluko, Mackie, Miller. Subs: Bateman, Crawford, Maguire, Pawlett, Hodgkiss, Paton, Stirling Smith.

1449: Memories, according to the classic old Babs Streisand song, light the corners of our minds...why don't you share some of your misty water-coloured memories of the way Love Street was? Join the debate

1448: Can St Mirren say goodbye to Love (Street) in grand style with their FIFTH SPL win on the trot? Motherwell will hope to spoil the farewell party...

1447: It will be tears and snotters at Love Street this afternoon as the Buddies bid an emotional farewell to the stadium they've called home for nearly 115 years.

The Paisley club started playing there the year Tower Bridge in London opened to traffic and Coca Cola was sold in bottles for the first time. Queen Victoria was on the throne. A certain supermarket behemoth is poised to swing the wrecking ball at Love Street and turn it into flats. A sad day indeed.

It's like in Back to the Future II when Biff uses Marty McFly's sports almanac for dastardly purposes and turns Hill Valley into a dilapidated, crime-ridden slum. Anyway, I digress...in a credit-crunch era, at least the sale of the ground clears Saints' debts and has given them a spanking new stadium to move into on Greenhill Road. Hurrah!

1446: Team news from Love Street

St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Cuthbert, Potter, Miranda, Brady, Murray, Dorman, McGinn, Hamilton, Wyness. Subs: Smith, Mason, Brighton, Robb, Dargo, Barron, McAusland.

Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, Klimpl, Hughes, Lasley, O'Brien, Porter, Clarkson. Subs: Krysiak, Malcolm, Sutton, Darren Smith, Murphy, McGarry, Saun

1444: Shunsuke Nakamura returns for Celtic after missing out on last week's Old Firm victory with a spot of seasonal lurgy. Poor diddums.

1443: Team news from Celtic Park

Celtic: Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Hartley, Robson, Samaras, McDonald. Subs: Fox, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Loovens, Mizuno, O'Dea, Caddis, Crosas.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, Scott Robertson, Flood, Swanson, Gomis, Conway, Daly. Subs: McGovern, Grainger, Feeney, Sandaza, David Robertson, Kovacevic, Bua

1442: Killie are looking for their third consecutive league victory on the road after winning at Motherwell and Hibernian. Gaffer Jim Jefferies is rumoured to be chasing Rotherham striker Mark Burchill but he's saying nowt because apparently he doesn't want to jinx it.

Over at Falkirk, John Hughes' side are on a miserable run of form with only one win in their last 10 games. The Bairns are joint-bottom of the league table and will be hoping 2009 brings a change of fortune.

1440: Team news from the Falkirk Stadium

Falkirk: Olejnik, McNamara, Holden, Bullen, Scobbie, McBride, McCann, Arfield, Riera, Lovell, Higdon. Subs: Flinders, Cregg, Barrett, Finnigan, Mitchell, Mark Stewart, Lynch.

Kilmarnock: Rascle, Hamill, Hay, Wright, Murray, Pascali, Fowler, Gibson, Skelton, Russell, Fernandez. Subs: Harpur, Bryson, Clancy, Flannigan, Sammon, Nolan, Sim

1438: More to the point for Arabs fans: can Harry Potter's high-flying wizards end their 17-year wait for a win at Celtic Park? Incredibly, the Tannadice club last recorded victory in Glasgow's east end in 1992 when the inimitable Jim McLean was still the manager.

Madonna caused a stir with her ludicrous 'Sex' book, Ab Fab was making everyone say 'Darling' and 'Sweetie' and one of the most irritating songs of all time - 'Deeply Dippy' by Right Said Fred - topped the charts. The mind truly boggles...

1436: Celtic must find a way past Lukasz Zalouska in the United goal this afternoon. It must be weird for the Polish keeper having signed a pre-contract agreement with Strachan's side? What do you all reckon? Join the debate

1435: Straight off the bat with some team news from Parkhead: there will be NO Aiden McGeady in the Celtic starting line-up for the visit of Dundee United. He will be warming his tush on the bench after spending the festive period on the naughty step at Celtic Park. Strike that! In fact, shock, horror! - the little wing wizard is NOT even in the stadium!!!

1432: Thanks Fraser! It was an endlessly absorbing Edinburgh derby. Shame the teams left their shooting boots at home. Right, no time to catch our collective breaths: let's plunge headlong into this afternoon's feast of football.

By Fraser Gibson

1429: Phew! That was gripping stuff despite the 0-0 scoreline. The good news is that we only have to wait just over a week for the next instalment of the Edinburgh derby in the Scottish Cup.

Thanks for your company today, I'm now going to hand over now to my learned colleague David Sharp to take you through the rest of the SPL action - enjoy!

1427: "I think this was in the stars, being a Hibee myself and after all the rippings we gave that OF derby, this game was destined to have few bookings and barely any goals, gutted!" vanoliIsGod on MySport Join the debate

1423: FULL-TIME Hearts 0-0 Hibs

1422: One minute of stoppage time.

1421: Hibs' Sol Bamba nips in ahead of team-mate Chris Hogg to smash the ball over the Hearts bar after a corner is cleared. Hogg is not happy.

1420: Three minutes of the 90 remain. Can anyone step up to be a hero?

1417: Ian Murray and Christophe Berra tangle on the touchline after a meaty challenge, but it comes to nothing. Both are booked by referee Calum Murray.

1416: Christophe Berra finds room to get forward and power in a shot which Hibs keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay beats away.

1413: Ten minutes to go ... will there be a winner? The last Edinburgh derby stalemate was 2001.

1411: "Watch this space... even though Hearts have hit the bar 3 times Hibs will score and win the game!"greenandwhite85 on MySport Join the debate

1408: Andrew Driver nearly finds Michael Stewart at one end before Steven Fletcher's effort is saved by Janos Balogh after he twists past Robbie Neilson. It's frantic! No goals, but chances aplenty.

1407: Christian Nade balloons an effort wildly over the bar after his Hearts team-mates search him out at the back post.

1406: I was certain Fletcher had been booked earlier - he should have been! But it turns out to be Lewis Stevenson who picks up the first yellow card.

1403: Hibs bring on Dean Shiels for Alan O'Brien as they search for a cutting edge.

1400: A bad omen for Hearts is that they have only scored six goals in the second halves of matches this season.

1359: "Clear penalty. The referee must have been listening to his Proclaimers' Greatest Hits album on his earphones when he missed that one"(See 1349) bringthemonjpn on MySport Join the debate

1358: "That young lad's got an eye for goal."BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston on Gary Glen

1357: I spoke too soon - Steven Fletcher of Hibs earns the game's first booking for a lunge on Eggert Jonsson.

1356: Hearts hit woodwork for the third time as substitute Gary Glen lets fly from 25 yards and strikes the bar.

1355: Still no bookings in the game - how long will that remain the case?

1354: The game between Hamilton Accies and Aberdeen at New Douglas Park will definitely go ahead after a pitch inspection.

1353: "The opening goal will be vital in this one - as always."BBC Radio Scotland commentator Paul Mitchell

1352: Derek Riordan fires a free kick into the Hearts box and Steven Fletcher's shot inches towards goal, but Jonatan Johansson just fails to get a touch to divert the ball into the net.

1349: Sol Bamba clambers all over Christian Nade in the box after a Hearts throw-in, but his appeals for a penalty are ignored. Looked like a stick-on.

1345: Hearts' Deividas Cesnauskis replaces Laryea Kingston after a spell of Hibs pressure. Christophe Berra get a good tackle in as players lurked in the box.

1342: Eggert Jonsson surges down the left wing, cuts inside and picks out Hearts team-mate Christian Nade, but his sidefooted effort dinks off the post. He's already hit the bar.

1340: It's been a pretty quiet afternoon for referee Calum Murray so far. Do you think he's a bit jealous of colleague Charlie Richmond, who has jetted off to take charge of a game in Tunisia as he shivers in Edinburgh? Join the debate

1337: The second half is underway.

1335: "Johansson has "JJ" on his back so that it is a bit more affordable to get the printing done."(See 1257) 1moonraker on MySport Join the debate

1334: "I have never seen so many people with cameras in my life. People were turning up yesterday, kissing the turf and there were a few tears. It's a very emotional day"BBC Scotland football correspondent Chick Young as St Mirren prepare for their final game at their stadium in Paisley's Love Street

1332: "If the Hearts players are having oranges at H-T, the Hibs players must be passing round the oxygen masks."bringthemonjpn on MySport Join the debate

1331: News from New Douglas Park. Word for Hamilton and Aberdeen fans is that the majority of the pitch is fine, but a section of the near touchline is causing concern. However, the game is expected to go ahead.

1321: I'm off for a half-time sandwich - join me again in a few minutes for the second 45.

1320: HALF-TIME Hearts 0 Hibs 0 The action is bubbling under despite the lack of goals. Hearts have hit the bar and Hibs have had their opportunities too. Surely the second half will provide a breakthrough.

1319: Andy Driver has pace to burn on the left wing and Hibs are struggling to deal with him.

1318: "That's the tackle of the season so far." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston on Eggert Jonsson's last-ditch challenge on Derek Riordan

1317: Eggert Jonsson put in a simply sublime challenge to prevent the ball falling to Derek Riordan, clear in the Hearts box from a Hibs breakaway.

1316: Hearts are piling on the pressure here as half-time approaches.

1314: "I think the game's bypassing Jonatan Johansson. It's too quick for him." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston

1313: Chris Hogg fails to deal with a bouncing ball but the lurking Gary Glen fails to take advantage as Yves Ma-Kalambay rushes out to defuse the situation.

1311: "Ma-Kalambay has started well and he's getting better."BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson

1310: Jason Thomson can't continue after his clattering and Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo sends on Gary Glen as a replacement.

1309: The ball pops out to Laryea Kingston on the edge of the box and the Hearts player's effort is touched around the post by Yves Ma-Kalambay.

1307: "Sol Bamba has been the best player on the park. Absolutely outstanding."BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston

1306: "Frantic game. Hibs have to try to get Riordan and Fletcher into it. I remember a few wonder goals Riordan has scored against Hearts" Rafa= the best thing that ever happened to man u on MySport Join the debate

1305: Derek Riordan's tame free kick from 25 yards beats the Hearts wall but lacks the power to evade Janos Balogh in goal.

1304: Thomson appears to have recovered but looks like he's gone a couple of rounds in the boxing ring.

1301: Hearts defender Jason Thomson is in trouble on the touchline after he flew into a full-blooded challenge with David van Zanten. He appeared to hit his head on the track as he fell. Both players only had eyes for the ball.

1258: Hibs' Steven Fletcher sends a right-foot effort wide of Janos Balogh's right-hand post after Lewis Stevenson found him in space in the box. Will the Easter Road side hang onto the Scotland striker during the transfer window? Join the debate

1257: The back of Hibs new boy Jonatan Johansson's shirt lists his number with simply 'JJ' above it. That's cool.

1254: I'm breathless battering out the action here, so I can only imagine how the players are feeling. Let me know your musings. Join the debate

1251: Hearts thump the ball off the woodwork. Robbie Neilson's throw-in is catapulted into the box and Christian Nade's header strikes the bar.

1247: Derek Riordan's free kick is launched into the box for Hibs from the right touchline, and Chris Hogg's effort from inside the box is blocked by home captain Christophe Berra.

1246: "It's breathless. Absolutely no pattern to the game at all."BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson

1245: "It will eventually slow down to 100 mph. There's been some great bits of skill in the match."BBC Radio Scotland commentator Paul Mitchell

1243: Andy Driver of Hearts stings the palms of Yves Ma-Kalambay after cutting in from the left wing.

1242: It's end-to-end action here but still no efforts on goal.

1240: "The last meeting between these two sides, in October I think, was a 1-1 draw at Hibs. Today could be tight, but I think Hearts will end the match victorious, 3-1." FoxForever - Decode - (a.k.a sunillcfcp) on MySport Join the debate

1238: First corner to Hibs is cleared and Hearts break up the field. Christian Nade's shot is deflected by David van Zanten for their own flag kick, which comes to nothing.

1235: And we're off. A shrill blast of Calum Murray's whistle heralds the start of the game as Hearts kick off.

1235: The silence is not well observed with a few boos from Hibs fans.

1233: We're a little late in kicking-off as the teams ring the centre circle for the minute's silence.

1230: The teams are in the tunnel and the atmosphere is electric as Hibs get ready to first-foot Hearts.

1228: There will be a minute's silence before the game today in tribute to former Hearts captain George Miller, who passed away recently.

1227: "The boys are in the right frame of mind and hopefully we have a performance to match that. The boys are looking forward to it."Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen

1225: This is the first of a derby double-header with the fixture reversed next Sunday in the Homecoming Scottish Cup. Hibs can close to within two points of Hearts in fourth today, albeit having played a game more.

1221: TEAMS FROM TYNECASTLE

Hearts: Balogh, Neilson, Jonsson, Berra, Thomson, Kingston, Stewart, Karipidis, Palazuelos, Driver, Nade. Subs: Kello, Cesnauskis, Mole, Templeton, Rapnik, Glen, Brown.

Hibernian: Ma-Kalambay, van Zanten, Hogg, Murray, Stevenson, Johansson, Bamba, Thicot, O'Brien, Riordan, Fletcher. Subs: McNeil, Yantorno, Nish, Keenan, Rankin, Shiels, Chisholm.

1220: "The most important thing is always not to lose any goals. The players must be motivated but not over-motivated." Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo

1219: Hibs' new keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski has failed to gain international clearance in time to make the squad.

1214: If you thought the Edinburgh Hogmanay fireworks were explosive wait until the whistle signals the start of this one. Here's a wee taster with the classic derby from 2003.

1205: Early team news from Tynecastle. Hearts make two enforced changes, with suspended Marius Zaliukas and Lee Wallace out and Eggert Jonsson and Jason Thomson coming in.

Four alterations for Hibs. Rob Jones, Dean Shiels, John Rankin and Colin Nish are out while Jonatan Johansson makes his debut and Steve Thicot, Derek Riordan and Lewis Stevenson replace them.

1200: Afternoon all! Hope you've recovered from your Hogmanay hangovers! Happy New Year!

It's the first SPL card of 2009 and there's a full menu of new year fare for your delectation this afternoon...

But first thing's first...it's the Edinburgh derby! Let's hear all your rants and raves as the action unfolds at a sizzling-hot Tynecastle.

Of course, you can listen to BBC Radio Scotland's coverage of all the games on the wireless and online.

So fix yourself a beaker of a well-known brand of Liver Salts, stay with us all the way through until around 1700 GMT, and send in your comments via: My Sport and text on 80295.

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