Fashion Sakala was Rangers’ hat-trick hero at Fir Park. Has he got what it takes to replace Alfredo Morelos as Steven Gerrard’s main striker?
Keith Jackson: They are very different strikers. Morelos offers a focal point and a physical presence as well as an eye for goal. Sakala’s game is all about blistering pace and movement in behind defenders. But yesterday’s treble suggests he’s finally ready to make a real challenge for a regular starting place.
Andy Newport: It was a nicely taken treble but Sakala has Morelos to thank for doing much of the heavy lifting in during build-up. He still has a long way to go to prove he can lead the line all by himself.
Scott McDermott: He certainly showed his quality yesterday. A few more performances like that and Alfredo Morelos could be looking over his shoulder. Alfredo remains the main man as it stands but Kemar Roofe and Sakala offer something different.
How big an opportunity did Celtic miss by dropping points at home to Livingston, blowing the chance to really turn up the heat on Rangers?
Keith Jackson: That will have been a sore one for Ange Postecoglou. Not only a bad result but a very poor performance just when Celtic had the chance to send out a very strong message that they are in it to win it this season.
Andy Newport: Time will tell what it means for the title race but it was a deflating result given the form the Hoops have been on. Giorgos Giakoumakis should have put his laces through that late penalty
Scott McDermott: Ange Postecoglou played the result down but there was no doubt it would have irked him. If Celtic want to win the league then these are the games they need to be picking up three points.
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson was unhappy that Andy Halliday was shown a straight red card at Aberdeen. What were your thoughts on his tackle?
Keith Jackson: No. Halliday was late but it was no worse than a yellow card offence. Neilson has every right to feel hard done by. Huge credit to Stephen Glass and Aberdeen though. They seem to have turned a corner.
Andy Newport: He might have got away with that five years ago but not in today’s game. It was a challenge he didn’t have to make.
Scott McDermott: It was a badly-timed tackle but I am not sure it was a sending off. It was probably a yellow card. It was late but it wasn’t particularly high. I still think it would be worth an appeal.
Zander Clark has taken his game up a level since he was omitted from the Scotland squad. Should he be back in Steve Clarke’s squad?
Keith Jackson: Yes. The big man has been outstanding over the last couple of seasons and absolutely deserves to be part of Clarke’s plans.
Andy Newport: Yes, but I can sympathise with Steve Clarke who has a real dilemma picking three out of Craig Gordon, Jon McLaughlin, Liam Kelly and big Zander. None of them will let the national team down.
Scott McDermott: I think he is really lucky to be out of the Scotland squad. I don’t think he can do much more. He deserves to be back involved, especially as he is playing regular first-team football.
