9 – Aberdeen took a massive step towards a top-four finish in the Premiership thanks to a 1-0 victory over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. Jonny Hayes scored the only goal of the game to move the Dons eight points clear of fifth-placed Livingston, and to within four points of Hibernian in third. The Dons have a tremendous record in Perth in recent years – Saturday’s success extended their unbeaten run at McDiarmid Park to nine matches. St Johnstone’s last home win against Aberdeen was a 3-0 win back in April 2016 – since then there have been four draws and five Aberdeen victories.
3 – Dundee United defeated Hamilton Academical 1-0 at the Foys Stadium, thus ensuring they are safe from relegation and will be in the Scottish Premiership again next season. The Terrors have won their last three matches, against Aberdeen, Partick Thistle and Accies – it’s the first time since December 2019 that they have recorded three consecutive wins in all competitions. Mickey Mellon’s side have won five of their last eight matches, with their only defeat in that period coming against champions Rangers. United picked up two wins and two draws in their four matches against Accies this season despite having to travel to Hamilton three times.
6 – Heart of Midlothian have sealed the Championship title and an immediate return to the Premiership – they have an unassailable lead with three games to spare thanks to a 6-0 win over Alloa Athletic and results going their way on Saturday. This is just the second time in the last six seasons that a side relegated from the Premiership has bounced back immediately – Ross County also did so in 2018/19. It’s the third time in their history that the Jam Tarts have won the second-tier title – they also did so in 1979/80 and 2014/15. Friday’s 6-0 success was their biggest win since they defeated Motherwell by the same score in January 2016.
6 – Partick Thistle beat Peterhead 3-0 at Balmoor to boost their chances of being in the top five of League 1 when the division reaches the split. It was Thistle’s first ever league win against the Blue Toon – in five previous league meetings they had one draw and four defeats, though they did beat them in the Division 1 play-off final in 2005/06 and again in the 2008/09 Challenge Cup. Ian McCall’s side are now unbeaten in their last six away league matches – they have picked up four wins and two draws since their last away defeat against Cove Rangers in October. The Jags have picked up 14 points away from home, more than any other side in the division.
7 – Queen’s Park moved a step closer to the League 2 title thanks to a 3-1 victory over Stenhousemuir at Ochilview. Goals from Simon Murray, Bob McHugh and Louis Longridge ensured that the Spiders moved 12 points clear at the top of the table with seven matches remaining. Ray McKinnon’s side have now recorded seven consecutive league wins, which is Queen’s Park’s best run since February-April 2007, when Billy Stark’s side won eight in a row in a season in which they eventually secured promotion to the third tier.
