Derby matches dominate the SPFL fixture card over the next few days – here are some facts about 10 of the games taking place.
Dundee United v Dundee – January 1, 12.15pm (BT Sport)
These sides met for the first time in November 1925 and the game finished goalless. Since then United have held the upper hand with 76 league wins compared to the Dark Blues’ 45. United will be protecting an unbeaten run against Paul Hartley’s side that has been in place for over 10 years, with Dundee’s last success coming in November 2004 when a John Sutton goal gave them a 1-0 win.
Hamilton Accies v Motherwell - January 1, 3.00pm
Accies have already knocked their Lanarkshire rivals out of the League Cup this season, winning on penalties after a 0-0 draw, and followed it up with a 4-0 victory at Fir Park in the Premiership. The most recent league meeting between the teams at New Douglas Park ended 0-0 on January 1, 2011.
Ross County v Inverness Caley Thistle – January 1, 3.00pm
The Highland rivals have met in Scotland’s top tier, second tier and fourth tier. Both clubs were elected into the Scottish Football League in 1994 and the first meeting ended in a 3-1 away success for the Inverness men. Caley Thistle have won twice as many meetings (22) as the Staggies.
Partick Thistle P-P Celtic – POSTPONED DUE TO WATERLOGGED PITCH
This all-Glasgow encounter was first held in 1897, with Celtic winning 6-3. This is not the traditional New Year Derby for either side, with Thistle often paired with Clyde and Celtic with Rangers, but the clubs did meet on January 3, 1914 when a goalless draw was played out. Thistle’s last home success against Celtic came via a George Shaw goal 21 years ago.
Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian – January 3, 12.45pm (BT Sport)
The capital derby was played five times in the Scottish Cup before the sides met in the league, with Hearts coming out on top in a 4-3 win. The Tynecastle side have continued to hold the upper hand in terms of games won and once enjoyed a 22-match unbeaten run that started on January 1, 1989 and ended on August 27, 1994.
Cowdenbeath v Raith Rovers – January 3, 3.00pm
One of the many possible Fife derbies in the SPFL but the only one to be played this season as Dunfermline are in League 1 and East Fife are in League 2. Kudus Oyenuga’s goal when the Blue Brazil lost 2-1 at Stark’s Park earlier this season was the 150th goal scored against their neighbours. There has not been a goalless draw in the league between the sides since February 1985.
Rangers v Dumbarton – January 3, 3.00pm
This game sees the first champions of Scotland come together at the closest time ever to a New Year fixture. The previous closest was when the sides met on January 4, 1906 with the Light Blues triumphing 3-1. The Sons and the Ibrox men were awarded the first ever Scottish Football League title in 1891 after they finished tied together at the top and a play-off ended 2-2.
Forfar Athletic v Brechin City – January 3, 3.00pm
The all-Angus affair is usually a special game for Loons manager Dick Campbell. The 61-year-old, ironically a proud Fifer, is Scotland’s longest-serving manager and used to be in charge of the Glebe Park men. Campbell led them to successive promotions in 2003 and 2004 but his Forfar side won this game 5-1 at the beginning of 2013.
Arbroath v Montrose – January 3, 3.00pm
A passionate encounter is in store as these sides meet for the first time since Arbroath goalkeeper David Crawford scored in a 5-1 win at Links Park earlier this season. Montrose have not won at Gayfield in the league since 1997 but a Scottish Cup win in October 2010 will give them hope.
Queen's Park v Clyde – January 3, 3.00pm
What used to be the south side of Glasgow derby sees football return to the National Stadium at Hampden after a gap of more than a year. The fixture was lost for over 17 years until Clyde dropped into the Third Division in 2010. Queen’s Park racked up 11 straight victories until the Bully Wee won 3-0 at Broadwood in August 2013.
Craig Stewart
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