Once again The SPL Team of the Week takes on a exciting 3-5-2 formation that has flair, adaptability and most of all, is set up to attack.
Once again The SPL Team of the Week takes on a exciting 3-5-2 formation that has flair, adaptability and most of all, is set up to attack.
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Goalkeeper: Greg Fleming – Gretna
With nothing left but pride for Gretna the players are in the shop window and Fleming will have done himself no harm at all with this display. It was not exactly the busiest of days for Fleming but he was solid and handled everything very well that came his way. Fleming denied Graham Barrett and Pedro Moutinho with fine stops to keep Falkirk at bay and earn his side a rare point and a clean sheet for himself.
Defender: Zander Diamond – Aberdeen
The Aberdeen central defender came close to scoring early in the first half and it was obvious that Jimmy Calderwood’s words of wisdom were very much being adhered to.
The Dons looked nothing like the side that lost to Queen of the South last week, which will always be there or thereabouts for the Pittodrie side to be judged upon.
Diamond was steady and organised well to frustrate Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras and on this kind of display, Diamond was back on form.
Central Defender: Christophe Berra – Hearts
Solid display from Berra, who is allegedly attracting interest from the Old Firm, and while Zaliukas looked very nervous and tense, Berra was consistent as usual and a cool head was required for this game, which Berra supplied time after time at the back. With Jason Thomson slotting in at right-back for the first time and Zaliukas looking very shaky, Berra proved in the game with St Mirren that if he goes, Hearts have a huge problem and void at the back to fill.
Defender: Ian Murray – Hibernian
Murray is showing just why Mixu Paatelainen extended his short term contract with Hibernian after another impressive display, this time at the heart of the Easter Road defence. Versatile Murray was called upon again by the Hibs boss to deputise in defence after Chris Hogg missed the game through injury and Rob Jones through suspension. Murray’s reading of the game is excellent and to organise a makeshift backline against a very experienced Dundee United attack speaks volumes. An outstanding performance from a player whose versatility is an excellent asset for Paatelainen.
Midfield: Barry Wilson – Inverness
Wilson was farmed out to St Johnstone to get his appetite back for the game and it worked, because Wilson is now producing the goods for Craig Brewster and has kept his place in the starting line-up. He may be entering his twilight years in the game but Wilson is showing the energy and enthusiasm of someone almost half his age.
As always Wilson provides an excellent delivery from either flank and his reading of the game was again first class.
Midfield: Arnau Riera – Falkirk
Riera reads the game well and is one of those players you can depend on, he tackled well constantly throughout the 90 minutes and his passing was crisp, effective and very creative in a disappointing day for John Hughes’s side. Hughes relies heavily on the midfield to drive his side forward and Riera did that with Scott Arfield and Kevin McBride, but the strikers failed to deliver the goods from the ammunition served up by the Falkirk midfield.
Midfield: Iain Flannigan – Kilmarnock
Jim Jefferies took the chance to throw in young Flannigan who has an abundance of talent to offer the side, hence the reason he got his chance again on Saturday. Undoubtedly he is one for the future and will get more chances next season. Flannigan has the composure and discipline a midfielder is required to have and under Jefferies he will develop that even more in the years to come.
Midfield: Andy Dorman – St Mirren
Dorman is settling in well for St Mirren but has the tendency to drift in and out of games slightly, but that could be put down to life in a new league and possibly still really getting to know his colleagues inside and out. Good drive from the midfield and provides a real threat in going beyond the strikers as well. With four goals already to his credit so far, Dorman will next season prove to be a huge threat from the midfield area for The Buddies. Another good performance from Dorman and came close early on but unfortunately for the Welshman he could not add to his tally which may have altered the final outcome of the game.
Midfield: Aiden McGeady – Celtic
It is very true what has been said recently about McGeady, when he plays so do Celtic. It was another energetic display from McGeady who found it hard to cope with some close attention, then again, who would not under the circumstances. Still it was a fine display from the Celtic midfielder and has earned his right to be in the team of the week.
Striker: Gary Glen – Hearts
The teenager got the chance to show what he is made of on Saturday against St Mirren and he did not disappoint at all. It was his full debut for Hearts and he capped it with an excellent display and goal three minutes before half-time. Glen was courted by a number of big clubs and went down to Manchester United on trial sometime ago, but feels justified in deciding to stay with Hearts. Glen is a product of the youth set-up at Hearts and has a very promising future ahead of him and no doubt he will be watched by others very, very carefully.
Striker: Merouane Zemmama – Hibernian
Zemmama is enjoying new lease of life under Mixu Paatelainen and it is starting to reap the benefits for the Edinburgh side. The Moroccan is enjoying his football and it showed again on Sunday against Dundee United. His flair, creativity and energy threatened Craig Levein’s side constantly. Okay he failed to score but his contribution was immense and the Hibernian supporters will be looking for similar displays like this between now and the end of the season.