Andy Walker’s Scottish Premiership predictions for this upcoming weekend have been revealed, and it’s got plenty of people talking on social media.
The Scottish former footballer played as a striker for several clubs in Scotland and England between 1984 and 2000., including Motherwell, Celtic, Newcastle, Bolton, Sheffield United, Hibernian, Raith, Ayr, Carlisle, Partick and Alloa.
He also made three full international appearances for Scotland. Since retiring as a player, Walker has become a TV pundit as well as a commentator, and now works for Sky Sports.
HAMILTON v ROSS COUNTY
He said: A tough start for Accies away at Celtic Park and losing five goals but given their ambition in going forward, I think they can get off to a winning start at home. Ross County were also impressive in their win over Dundee United but away form has let them down too often.
Prediction: 2-0
LIVINGSTON v HIBERNIAN
He said: Hibs are my choice as dark horses this season to get in among the European places.
Martin Boyle gives them pace in attack and with Scott Allan creative in midfield, they should have too much firepower for a Livingston side who rely heavily on their home form.
Prediction: 1-3
MOTHERWELL v DUNDEE UTD
He said: Motherwell surprised me with a poor performance in their opening game defeat in the Highlands against Ross County. But Stephen Robinson has a lot of talent at Fir Park and they can bounce back against the league’s newcomers.
Prediction: 1-0
RANGERS v ST MIRREN
He said: In order to be successful this season, Rangers simply have to cope with European football on the Thursday night and travelling back to a home game where they can’t afford to slip up. But it’s a big boost for the club to have Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten on board, probable replacements for Alfredo Morelos. St Mirren now go head-to-head with Rangers and Celtic in successive games, a tall order for them.
Prediction: 3-0
KILMARNOCK v CELTIC
He said: Celtic started impressively at home to Hamilton last weekend and the variety in their forward play was outstanding. Edouard was clearly the star man but Ryan Christie, Mo Elyounoussi and James Forrest are also a big threat. Granted, Kilmarnock have made it tough for Celtic on occasion at Rugby Park but surely not this time?
Prediction: 0-3
Now that you have seen Andy Walker’s Scottish Premiership predictions for this upcoming weekend, what do you make of them? Let us know by commenting HERE.
Andy Walker’s Scottish Premiership predictions for Matchday 1:
Aberdeen 1-3 Rangers (ACTUAL SCORE: 0-1)
Celtic 3-0 Hamilton (ACTUAL SCORE: 5-1)
Dundee United 2-0 St Johnstone (ACTUAL SCORE: 1-1)
Hibernian 1-1 Kilmarnock (ACTUAL SCORE: 2-1)
St Mirren 1-0 Livingston (ACTUAL SCORE: 1-0)
Ross County 1-3 Motherwell (ACTUAL SCORE: 1-0)
Aderdeen has now received confirmation that tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership match against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park has been postponed.
Aberdeen FC confirmed that two first team players, who have tested positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic, are self-isolating for ten days.
In line with government guidance and procedures from the football authorities, six other players, who were in close proximity with the two positive cases, are also self-isolating for 14 days.
The Club has been in open discussions with the football authorities since this came to light.
As a result, the Club would be missing eight players for the St Johnstone game.
AFC Chairman, Dave Cormack, said: “After Saturday’s game, with all eyes on Pittodrie, we were once again commended on the stringent processes and measures we had in place. Given the efforts of everyone at the Club and our investment in protecting our most valuable assets, this is a bitter blow.
“With two first team players testing positive for COVID-19, plus six others having to isolate for 14 days, it is also a harsh reminder of the severity and speed of spread of this virus.
“The Club will be carrying out a full investigation but, as an immediate first step, we have reinforced the Club’s COVID-19 protocols and the governing bodies’ guidance with every player and member of staff and will continue to regularly educate and remind everyone of what is, and what is not, acceptable in the current climate.
“We now have to focus on preparing for Saturday’s game under extremely difficult circumstances.”
Got the JRG decision on affected players 30 mins before it went public. Don’t have all the facts. Asking fans for their patience and trust. Please give the players the time they need to ensure they are healthy & to allow us time to review and reflect on what happened. Stand Free! pic.twitter.com/yNy2nqYjuY
— Dave Cormack (@CormackDavie) August 7, 2020
Then Cormack released a further statement, saying: “Given the significant COVID-19 outbreak in Aberdeen, we fully understand why the Scottish Government has made this decision in the interests of public health.
“With the pressure over this season’s fixtures, and the fact that we caused this problem, we were fully prepared to play the game tomorrow. We are very grateful that the decision has been to postpone, rather than forfeit the game.
“I took the opportunity yesterday to apologise to both football and health authorities, and with our fellow premiership clubs today.
“The clinical decision last night from the JRG that it was safe to play underlines the confidence the football authorities have in the robustness of our procedures and protocols. Regrettably, what has happened in the last few days has undermined all the hard work that has gone into keeping our players and staff safe. We are now dealing with this internally with the seriousness it deserves.
“In the meantime, I’d like to reassure the relevant bodies, our fans and everyone associated with the Club that our already rigorous measures are being forensically scrutinised and that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that no-one is under any doubt about what must be adhered to.”
The number of cases in Aberdeen’s ‘covid cluster’ has risen to 101 as Nicola Sturgeon said she was “furious” at the footballers who broke lockdown rules.
Ms Sturgeon said: “It is now clear that all eight of these players visited a bar in Aberdeen on Saturday night.
“In doing so they blatantly broke the rules that had been agreed between the SFA, the SPFL, and the Scottish government, which, to put it mildly, is completely unacceptable.”
The first minister said she supported the decision to cancel the club’s match with St Johnstone this weekend.
“We are asking members of the public to behave in a highly precautionary manner,” she said.
“When a football club ends up with players infected with Covid – and let’s remember this is not through bad luck but through clear breaches of the rules – we cannot take even a small risk that they then spread the infection to other parts of the country.”
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