Tributes have been paid to former Tottenham, Hearts and Scotland midfielder Dave Mackay, who has died aged 80.

The fact remains that this is a club with a default setting of one step forward followed by two back, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Celtic began the defence of their Scottish Premiership title with a 3-0 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park but not without some help and some controversy.

Celtic recovered from their midweek European frustration with a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory over St Johnstone at Parkhead which should have been more comprehensive.

Celtic 1 St Johnstone 1

Chatting to Packie Bonner this week, ahead of Celtic’s cruel defeat in Barcelona, I was somewhat taken aback when he didn’t hesitate for a second to hail Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer of all time.

St Johnstone 2 Celtic 1

Has there ever been a more aptly named footballer than George Best?

Tottenham failed in an audacious bid to sign Manchester City maverick Carlos Tevez in January, Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

Tottenham failed in an audacious bid to sign Manchester City maverick Carlos Tevez in January, Harry Redknapp has confirmed.

Celtic 2 St Johnstone 0

Kilmarnock 0 St Johnstone 0

Pat Fenlon lauded a stoic Hibernian display as his new-look team claimed a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Motherwell 3 St Johnstone 2

St Johnstone 1 Rangers 2

St Johnstone 0 Celtic 2

IT takes a brave man to compare any player to Tottenham legend Dave Mackay but just maybe Harry Redknapp has it spot on when he says Scott Parker has the ability to follow in his footsteps.

“SPURS are one of the greatest clubs in soccer and it’s high time we finally proved it by winning the title.”

Hibernian 3 St Johnstone 2

Victor Wanyama claimed Celtic fans stripped the players of their confidence after St Johnstone took the lead in their shock Clydesdale Bank Premier League win at Parkhead yesterday.

NEIL LENNON described Celtic’s performance as “immature” and “wasteful” after a Dave Mackay goal secured a 1-0 win for St Johnstone yesterday, their first win at Parkhead in 13 years.

Hearts 0 Tottenham 5

Motherwell 3 St Johnstone 0

St Johnstone 0 Celtic 1

St Johnstone 0 Rangers 2

I’M JUST guessing, but I don’t think you and I will be rushing out any time soon to take in the new Manchester City biopic Blue Moon Rising.

AS the Premier League season heads towards an exciting climax – arguably the most gripping since Michael Thomas galloped through the heart of the Liverpool defence on May 26, 1989 – it’s worth remembering that, despite its cosmopolitan values, English football remains one of the tightest closed shops in the sporting world.

St Johnstone 5 Hibernian 1

Rangers 2 St Johnston 0

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp insists his side have the belief to challenge the Barclays Premier League top four after victory over West Ham yesterday ensured their best start to a season since winning the double 1961.

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane has been voted the “hardest footballer of all time”. – despite hanging up his boots almost three years ago.

Celtic 4 Livingston 0

Derby 1 West Brom 0

HEARTS head coach Graham Rix praised his side for grinding out three points in a dramatic game at Livingston in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Roman Bednar struck a late winner as Hearts moved 13 points behind Bank of Scotland Premier League leaders Celtic after a dramatic second half at Almondvale.

Paul Hartley completed a tremendous week with a double to seal a 4-1 Bank of Scotland Premier League win for Hearts at Livingston.

Livingston defender David McNamee admits the players have been “affected” by the uncertainty created in the long-running Hassan Kachloul affair.

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Phil Anderton has become the latest casualty of the bitter battle for power in the game.

Reading manager Steve Coppell will ring the changes for his side’s Carling Cup trip to Oxford.

Celtic 6 Dundee 2

ROY KEANE would not have been punished for his controversial autobiography had he been English.