Scottish football as it happened

1. FT: Queen of the South 1-2 Rangers
2. Derek Lyle header cancels out Steven Smith free-kick for visitors
3. Dean Shiels heads Rangers ahead again
4. Premiership results: Dundee 0-1 Inverness, Hamilton 1-1 Partick Th
5. Ross Co 1-2 St Mirren, St Johnstone 1-1 Dundee Utd
6. Inverness secure third and European spot

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday. Good night.

Please join us again tomorrow for live coverage of Aberdeen v Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Almost time for me to go...

Rangers manager Stuart McCall

"Delighted but, obviously, it's only half-time. Really pleased to be going back to Ibrox next Sunday with a victory. The work ethic was there."

Queen of the South manager James Fowler

"I think the players can be pleased with their performance. We can go there [Ibrox] and get a result. If we can get the first goal, it makes it really interesting."

SNS

How significant will Dean Shiels' goal prove to be?

FULL-TIME

Rangers hold the advantage going into the Scottish Premiership play-off quarter-final second leg. Dean Shiels' header was the winning goal on the night and the two sides will meet again at Ibrox at week on Sunday.

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell kicks the ball out of play so team-mate Richard Foster can receive treatment.

ADDED TIME

Four minutes of stoppage time begin.

SNS

Dean Shiels (second from right) has given Rangers a slender lead in this play-off quarter-final

And now Iain Russell replaces Lewis Kidd for Queen of the South.

Another change for Rangers. Former Queens striker Nicky Clark takes over from Haris Vuckic.

How will Queens respond to falling behind again? They had Rangers rattled and looked the more likely to get a winner until that Dean Shiels goal.

GOAL

After weathering the storm, Rangers move upfield and Richard Foster's lovely dinked cross is headed past Zander Clark by Dean Shiels.

Richard Wilson

BBC Scotland at Palmerston

"Queens cannot be suppressed. Their resilient spirit has allowed them to reclaim ownership of this game as well as the equaliser. They are lively and full of intent, and it is Rangers who now need to regroup.

"A moment of boldness, or a moment of haplessness, might yet see one of these teams carry an advantage into the second leg. For now, they are slugging out a fascinating encounter."

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell falls awkwardly after making a clearance and needs treatment from his physio before carrying on.

SNS

The Queen of the South players celebrate after their equaliser by Derek Lyle (centre)

YELLOW CARD

This match is heating up. Danny Carmichael tries to jink his way past Richard Foster and the Rangers full-back cynically takes the Queens man out. Booking for Foster.

GREAT SAVE!

Kevin Holt cuts in from the left and tries to bend a shot high past Cammy Bell but the Rangers goalkeeper stretches out a hand to make an important save.

Midway through the second half now. Will either side be able to take a lead to Ibrox for the second leg?

YELLOW CARD

Gavin Reilly spins away from Marius Zaliukas and is then tripped by the defender, prompting a yellow card for the Rangers defender.

That was poor marking from Rangers and a couple of bodies fell over as the delivery came in. The tie is level again.

GOAL

The hosts are level with Derek Lyle left unmarked at the back post to simply nod home Ian McShane's inswinging corner.

Now Rangers are forced into a change. Goalscorer Steven Smith pulls up, possibly with cramp, and he goes off to be replaced by Robbie Crawford.

Mark Millar replaces Stephen McKenna for Queen of the South.

SNS

Steven Smith (far right) gave Rangers the lead before the break

Queen of the South 0-1 Rangers

Game going from end to end at the moment. Stephen McKenna headed wide for the hosts at a corner before Nicky Law sent a looping header into the hands of Queens goalkeeper Zander Clark.

CLOSE!

Rangers press at the start of the second half with Kenny Miller's curled shot kept out by Zander Clark and then Stevn Smith's chip is headed clear near the goal line.

KICK-OFF

The second half resumes with Queen of the South kicking off.

Richard Wilson

BBC Scotland at Palmerston

"A precious lead for Rangers late in the first-half half, but also a cause for Queens to feel aggrieved since they contested the award of the free-kick that Steven Smith converted.

"That might provide an added motivation for the second half, and Rangers are likely to try to maintain their lead rather than add to it, so the play will remain evenly contested.

"At this stage, the next goal is crucial in terms of the overall state of the tie. Which team will now hold its nerve?"

HALF-TIME

Rangers have the advantage at the break courtesy of that wonderful Steven Smith free-kick but Queen of the South feel aggrieved about the lack of a foul in their favour in the build up to the goal.

The Queen of the South players are unhappy they did not get a free-kick just before Haris Vuckic went down, feeling the Rangers midfielder himself had been guilty of an infringement.

GOAL

Rangers are awarded a free-kick after Haris Vuckic is felled and Steven Smith superbly curls the ball powerfully over the wall and into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Tweet using #bbcscotfootball

Tony: "Rangers playing well. QOS cautious so far #bbcscotfootball"

Queen of the South 0-0 Rangers

Marius Zaliukas clatters into the back of Gavin Reilly after both leap to head the ball and Queens have a free-kick. Lewis Kidd tries a shot but it comes back off the wall and the danger is soon cleared.

Queen of the South 0-0 Rangers

Now the hosts have a go and Derek Lyle lifts an effort into the hands of Cammy Bell in the Rangers goal.

Queen of the South 0-0 Rangers

Andy Murdoch fires a long-range shot at the Queens goal and keeper Zander Clark claims at the second attempt.

Former Rangers player Derek Ferguson

"Rangers have shown good discipline. It's the runners from the middle of the park that have caused Queens problems."

SNS

Haris Vuckic holds off Queen of the South's Ian McShane

Richard Wilson

BBC Scotland at Palmerston

"Having matched up with Queens in terms of shape, with a back three and five in midfield, Rangers have also adopted their hosts' tactics. They are hitting Queens on the break, trying to spring Kenny Miller and Haris Vuckic beyond the back line.

"The home side are doing the same with Derek Lyle and Gavin Reilly, and it is the Rangers defence that has tended to contain the most alarmed figures in Marius Zaliukas - whenever the ball is near him - and Lee Wallace if the ball is played over his head.

"The game is still, though, finely and tensely balanced. Both sides are focused on not conceding."

Queen of the South 0-0 Rangers

Around 25 minutes in and it's still goalless. Still a sense that these sides are sizing each other up in their fifth meeting this term.

SNS

This strike by Kenny Miller ended in the net but only after the Rangers striker had been flagged offside.

Queen of the South 0-0 Rangers

Queens coming back into the game now with some dangerous crosses into the box that have made for some nervous defending from Rangers.

Queen of the South 0-0 Rangers

This is a decent spell for the visitors and Dean Shiels tests Zander Clark with a low shot from the left side of the box.

DISALLOWED GOAL

Kenny Miller finds the net for Rangers but he had already been flagged offside after running on to a long ball.

Visitors press

Haris Vuckic runs on to a pass in the inside left channel and drags a left-foot shot wide of the Queens goal.

Richard Wilson

BBC Scotland at Palmerston

"The pressure is all on the visitors at Palmerston, with Rangers having lost 2-0 and 3-0 here this season. They may even play cautiously in this play-off first leg, which would be a reflection of their state of mind.

"Queens are solid in defence and dangerous up front, relying on counter attacks to overcome opponents. Should Queens score first, the psychology of the tie will be critical, since Rangers may react with even greater anxiety."

Early chance

Derek Lyle gets up to meet Kevin Holt's cross with a header and Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell dives to his left to save.

KICK-OFF

The game at Palmerston is underway with Rangers kicking off in the Dumfries sunshine.

Pass the baton...

Thanks for your company so far this afternoon. I'm going to hand you over to my esteemed colleague Andy Campbell who will take you through Queen of the South v Rangers.

Inverness joy

Edward Ofere headed home the only goal of the game as Inverness secured victory, third spot and a European place at Dens Park.

SNS

Your views

Debbie from Paisley: Great to see we didn't give up today. Well done Saints! Thanks Thommo!

Best Buddies

St Mirren skipper Steven Thompson fired home a late winner to secure a 2-1 victory in Dingwall.

SNS

Play-off final

Forfar will take on Alloa in the Scottish Championship play-off final after aggregate victory over Stranraer.

LINE-UPS

Queen of South: Alexander Clark, Dowie, Durnan, Higgins, Holt, Kidd, McKenna, McShane, Carmichael, Reilly, Lyle. Subs: Millar, Russell, Paton, Atkinson, Hooper, Aidan Smith, Pickard.

Rangers: Bell, Foster, Zaliukas, McGregor, Wallace, Shiels, Law, Murdoch, Smith, Miller, Vuckic. Subs: Black, Clark, Boyd, Crawford, Robinson, Streete, Walsh.

Referee: Alan Muir

'Still in the tie'

Queen of the South manager James Fowler

"If we can go there with a lead... But as long as we're still in the tie then we'll be happy with that."

Get involved

Gerroff Dupitshe: I'd rather the long trip to somewhere in Azerbaijan than have to go to Inverness in fairness. #bbcscotfootball

Inverness - Your views

John Grant: Well done to @ICTFC on qualifying for Europe for the first time. @BBCSportsound

Steven Barclay: Europa League next year for the Caley Jags? I better check out some flight prices! #fiorientinaaway

FULL-TIME

Alloa 0-1 Brechin City

(agg 2-1)

Stranraer 1-1 Forfar

(agg 1-4)

'We have the players'

Rangers boss Stuart McCall

"It's a lovely day and I'm looking forward to it. You never know in two-leg football what can happen...

"We've got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. I feel we have the players to get through the tie."

Don't forget your toothbrush

Caley Thistle fans - make sure your passports are up to date. John Hughes's side hold on to take three points at Dens Park and that wraps up third place...

FULL-TIME

Ross County 1-2 St Mirren

St Johnstone 1-1 Dundee United

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

Hamilton 1-1 Partick

GOAL

Greg Docherty heads home a late, late, late equaliser for Accies.

GOAL

County keeper Mark Brown concedes a penalty and is sent off for fouling Lewis Morgan in the area.

Veteran hitman Steven Thompson fires home the spot kick; the Buddies lead!

PENALTY

Penalty for St Mirren and Ross County keeper Mark Brown is given his marching orders.

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

It's a familiar story for County as another chance is spurned: Paul Quinn heads just wide of the target this time.

Your views

Chris Madden: A must win for St Mirren from a Killie point of view, the play-offs are interesting until you get stuck in it. #bbcscotfootball

GREAT SAVE!

Ryan Esson is at full stretch to get a paw to a downward header from Dundee defender James McPake.

'Great work' by Partick

Kenny Crawford

BBC Sport Scotland, at New Douglas Park

Stephen O'Donnell sweeps in his fifth goal of the season to break the deadlock here!

Great work down the right-hand side by Kallum Higginbotham and the Englishman cuts back for O'Donnell to side-foot past Accies goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

GOAL

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

How are Saints surviving? Liam Boyce is denied by Jason Naismith, then Tony Dingwall should score only for a great save from Mark Ridgers.

GOAL

Thistle break the deadlock at New Douglas Park as Stephen O'Donnell fires home with a howitzer.

GOAL

St Johnstone restore parity with a stunning, absolutely stunning goal! Murray Davidson volleys home Danny Swanson's centre from 16 yards. What a strike.

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Don't be surprised to see Liam Boyce walking around Dingwall this evening with his head in his hands, as he passes up yet another good chance. Michael Gardyne also shoots wide as the hosts continue to dominate, but on the counter attack James Dayton nearly scores.

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

It's all getting a bit untidy at Dens Park, with the goalmouth incidents drying up and play punctuated by a series of niggling fouls.

'Terrific move'

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland, at McDiarmid Park

United have the breakthrough after a terrific move down the right. Robbie Muirhead meets the cross but his header crashes off the bar, only for John Rankin to follow up to bundle the ball over the line.

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

It's constant pressure from the home side now and Jackson Irvine heads over, then Martin Woods sees his shot blocked by Jason Naismith.

GOAL

We have the breakthrough in Perth. United boost their hopes of securing a European spot as combative midfielder John Rankin lashes the ball home from close range following good work by Chris Erskine.

Hamilton 0-0 Partick

Kenny Crawford

BBC Sport Scotland

We're still searching for a goal here and the first 15 minutes of the second half hasn't suggested much will change soon.

So let me tell you instead that next to Hamilton Accies' club reception, a Turkish barber has opened. That must be a football first.

PENALTY APPEAL

Ross County feel they should have a penalty. Jackson Irvine smashes a shot at goal that hits the hand of a defender, but referee Steven MacLean, for the second time in a matter of weeks involving a side from the Highlands, says it is not intentional.

CLOSE!

Danny Swanson plays in David Wotherspoon on the right hand side of the box but he rushes his shot and fires wide.

GOAL

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Martin Woods tries to add a second to his tally with a right-foot shot after good play from Liam Boyce.

Player of year - Your views

Bobby Findlay: Adam Rooney's my player of the year #bbcscotfootball

George Smith: Craig Gordon has been player of the year, for me.

YELLOW CARD

Jon Souttar booked for a foul on David Wotherspoon, and it's a free kick to St Johnstone. But the hosts fail to profit as frustration grows in Perth. It remains goalless at McDiarmid Park.

Your views

Anon: What do you all make of Allan Johnston being appointed as the new Dunfermline manager? As a Pars fan I'm pleased with it...

St Mirren's future 'can be bright'

As we heard on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound earlier, Gary Teale wants to remain at St Mirren next season as they attempt get back into the top flight.

"I've got the passion and the motivation to take the club forward if that's the route the board take," he said.

SNS

"We've just not had a consistent run of results as we tried to get out of it.

"You look at Hearts and the squad they've been able to build this year after the experience of relegation - and Hibs to a certain extent. They have managed to regroup.

"I'm looking for the younger players to show me what they've got, to see if they can handle it.

"I'll be encouraging these guys coming into the team and if they can express themselves, that will show the fans that the future can be bright."

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

Dundee break at pace against a back-pedalling Inverness rearguard but Jim McAlister's final shot is feeble and easily gathered by Ryan Esson.

St Johnstone 0-0 Dundee Utd

Dundee United have started the second 45 brightly and Nadir Ciftci drags his shot wide after a promising, flowing move by the visitors.

We're still waiting for our first goal in Perth.

KICK-OFF

Here we go across the grounds for the second half...

Accies agitated

Dougie Imrie wanted a penalty in the first half at New Douglas Park but referee Stephen Finnie was having none of it.

SNS

Chris McLaughlin

BBC Sport

Palmerston for the play-offs. All the action on @BBCSportsound kick off 17:30.

BBC

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

Both goalkeepers have been kept busy in a bright, open game which the visitors lead courtesy of a header from Edward Ofere. If Inverness go on to pick up maximum points, third place and a first taste of Europe will the theirs...

HALF-TIME

Queen's Park 0-0 Arbroath

Stenhousemuir 1-0 East Fife

HALF-TIME

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

St Johnstone 0-0 Dundee Utd

MISSED PENALTY

Dundee United have goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak to thank as he saves Dave Mackay's penalty - that's his fourth penalty save of the season.

The hosts were awarded the spot kick after Callum Morris was adjudged to have fouled Michale O'Halloran.

Top work!

Ross County 1-1 St Mirren

Liam Boyce is again holding his head in his hands feeling he should have scored. This time his header is too high as Ross County shake off the loss of a goal to continue dominating.

PENALTY

Penalty for St Johnstone...

St Mirren - Your views

Mark Nicholls on Facebook: Give the Buddies three goals a start every game! Might get lucky and get some draws!

Scott Stafford: Gary Teale won't lead St Mirren anywhere if he keeps whinging about the refs. #bbcscotfootball

Hamilton 0-0 Partick

Kenny Crawford

BBC Sport Scotland

Partick Thistle have had better chances here in South Lanarkshire, with Lyle Taylor blasting well over when put clean through by Kallum Higginbotham, then Higginbotham himself having a nice chip which almost found Michael McGovern's top corner.

Thistle's Ryan Stevenson has gone off injured and his replacement is Gary Fraser.

GOAL

Out of nothing Saints are level. Stephen Mallan's long range shot takes a wicked deflection off Scott Boyd and flies into the net.

County call

Martin Woods fired Ross County in front, with the side's first penalty of the season, to break the deadlock against the Buddies.

SNS

St Johnstone 0-0 Dundee Utd

Danny Swanson is played in on the left in the box, but fires wide from a great position. It remains goalless in Perth; come on boys, give us a goal!

Ross County 1-0 St Mirren

A great last ditch challenge from Jason Naismith denies Craig Curran as Ross County nearly go 2-0 up. Relegated St Mirren are toiling now after looking fairly comfortable for the first 30 minutes.

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

A bobbling cross from Edward Ofere is missed by a defender and in comes Marley Watkins at the back post forcing Kyle Letheren to make a brave sprawling save at the forward's feet.

GOAL

Jim McIntyre urged his players to deliver a performance in Dingwall today and they're answering the challenge head on. Martin Woods makes no mistake from the spot to break the deadlock against the stricken Buddies.

PENALTY

Spot kick for Ross County as Liam Boyce is felled in the box...

Hamilton 0-0 Partick

Kenny Crawford

BBC Sport Scotland

Partick Thistle have had better chances here in South Lanarkshire, with Lyle Taylor blasting well over when put clean through by Kallum Higginbotham.

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

Dundee striker Greg Stewart finds some room in behind the visitors' defence and his powerful shot from a tight angle is pushed away by Ryan Esson.

PENALTY APPEAL

Hamilton striker Dougie Imrie appeals unsuccessfully for a penalty as he takes a tumble in the box. He's raging with referee Stephen Finnie but nothing doing...

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

Inverness squander a great chance to double their lead as Ryan Christie surges forward and lays a pass off for Marley Watkins but the forward's touch in the box is heavy, allowing Paul McGinn time to make a brave sliding challenge.

YELLOW CARD

Dundee United defender Jaroslaw Fojut is booked for a foul on Michael O'Halloran on the touchline....first yellow card of the game.

Ross County 0-0 St Mirren

It is nearly a nightmare minute for St Mirren's Thomas Reilly. He gives away a free-kick, is booked, and then from the resulting free-kick gets his boot to the ball and almost deflects it into his own net.

Dundee 0-1 Inverness CT

Dundee are denied an equaliser as Greg Stewart's looping header is hooked off the line in athletic fashion by a diving Danny Devine.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland

Nadir Ciftci produces a moment of sublime skill and technique, coming so close to an opening goal. He shows quick feet to step away from two St Johnstone challenges and then, from 30 yards, with very little backlift, rifles a drive goalwards only for the ball to ricochet to safety off the post. Brilliant stuff!

Hamilton 0-0 Partick

Kenny Crawford

BBC Sport Scotland

Lengthy stoppage as Accies defender Mikey Devlin receives treatment for an injury, he's being carried off now but it's unclear what the problem is. Lucas Tagliapietra replaces him.

SNS

Your views

Fred Henderson on Facebook: Disappointing for St Mirren, I never like to see someone relegated...

GREAT SAVE!

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland

First chance for United - and it's a good one. Chris Erskine slips the ball to Calum Butcher but his shot is straight into the midriff of Alan Mannus in the St Johnstone goal.

Ross County 0-0 St Mirren

Saint striker Steven Thompson and County's Liam Boyce have had half chances at either end, but the game is yet to spark into life.

Injury at New Douglas Park

An injury concern for Hamilton's Mikey Devlin, who is being tended to by both his own physio as well as the Partick Thistle counterpart after picking up an injury...

GOAL

Edward Ofere is left with the simple task of nodding Inverness ahead from six yards, with the Dundee defence posted missing.

Your views

David Rabbett on Facebook: Bye, bye, St Mirren, hope County get relegated too.

St Johnstone 0- Dundee United

Alasdair Lamont

BBC Scotland

St Johnstone should be ahead here. Firstly, Michael O'Halloran cuts it back for David Wotherspoon who scoops over the bar from an excellent position. Then Steven MacLean heads just wide from a corner as the home side make a good start to the game.

GOAL

Kieran Miller has given Stenhousemuir the edge over East Fife in the Scottish League One play-off semi-final second leg. Stenny lead 1-0 on the day and 2-1 on aggregate.

St Johnstone 0-0 Dundee Utd

Tommy Wright's men have come roaring out of the traps and O'Halloran is the dangerman again, this time playing in David Wotherspoon who balloons a shot over the bar.

Saints pressing

St Johnstone striker Michael O'Halloran spurns a great chance to break the deadlock at McDiarmid Park, delaying a shot before his cross fails to trouble the United defence.

Get Involved

Lewis Armstrong, Edinburgh: Special mention to Alan Archibald - 100 games in charge today. Took over from Jackie McNamara trailing Morton by 12 points and not being able to buy a win away. Finished higher up the leagues every year - underrated as a manager and a Thistle legend.

KICK-OFF

Hang onto your hats... and we're off.

Your views

Euan Morrison: Proud to be an Aberdeen Fan... a great season. Can't wait for next season. #bbcscotfootball

LINE-UPS

Hamilton: McGovern, Lyon, Devlin, Garcia Tena, MacDonald, Imrie, MacKinnon, Gillespie, Longridge, Crawford, Scotland. Subs: Hendrie, Hasselbaink, Watson, Docherty, El-Zubaidi, Hill, Tagliapietra.

Partick: Fox, O'Donnell, Balatoni, Frans, Booth, Craigen, Bannigan, Lawless, Stevenson, Higginbotham, Taylor. Subs: Doolan, Gallacher, Elliot, Richards-Everton, Fraser, Wilson, Keenan.

Referee: Stephen Finnie

LINE-UPS

Ross County: Brown, Fraser, Boyd, Paul Quinn, Reckord, Dingwall, Woods, Irvine, Gardyne, Boyce, Curran. Subs: Reguero, Meite, Rocco Quinn, Cardle, Kiss, Sernas, De Vita.

St Mirren: Ridgers, Naismith, Baird, Kelly, Tesselaar, Dayton, Mallan, Reilly, Wylde, Gow, Thompson. Subs: Sadlier, Arquin, Brown, Kello, Morgan, Cuddihy, Genev.

Referee: Steven McLean

LINE-UPS

Dundee: Letheren, Paul McGinn, McPake, Konrad, Dyer, Stephen McGinn, McGowan, Thomson, McAlister, Stewart, Tankulic. Subs: Irvine, Ferry, Clarkson, Harkins, Wighton, Colquhoun, Brodie.

Inverness CT: Esson, Meekings, Warren, Devine, Shinnie, Christie, Draper, Tansey, Williams, Watkins, Ofere. Subs: Raven, Vincent, Doran, Ross, Tremarco, Kink, Mackay.

Referee: Don Robertson

LINE-UPS

St Johnstone: Mannus, Mackay, Wright, Anderson, Scobbie, Wotherspoon, Millar, Davidson, Swanson, MacLean, O'Halloran. Subs: Lappin, Banks, Caddis, McFadden, Miller, Easton, Kane.

Dundee Utd: Cierzniak, Dillon, Fojut, Morris, Dixon, Souttar, Rankin, Butcher, Ciftci, Erskine, Muirhead. Subs: Telfer, Connolly, Scott Smith, Spittal, Szromnik, Anier, Coote.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

What can you see/hear/read and when

There's a bumper edition of Sportscene today, kicking off at 15:00 and running until 17:10. You can watch it on BBC One Scotland and here via the 'Live Coverage' tab.

Also available there are the BBC Radio Scotland 810MW commentary of Ross County v St Mirren and Sportsound - Open all Mics, which is also on 92-95FM.

And we'll offer updates on all today's games on our live text commentary.

Hamilton v Partick

Kenny Crawford at New Douglas Park

BBC Sport Scotland

There's no such thing as a 'dead rubber'... Hamilton Accies and Partick Thistle have already secured their Premiership safety for next season, but there's still the matter of who finishes in seventh.

Accies are five points ahead of eighth-placed Thistle at the moment, but a Jags win today keeps their hopes of a higher place alive - and £45,000 more SPFL prize money.

Both sides come into this in good form, Accies after two consecutive wins and Thistle with three victories on the bounce.

'Always a sore one'

St Mirren boss Gary Teale on relegation and his future

"It's always a sore one to take. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take two forward. You look at the way Hearts have done it.

"It's been a disappointing season but we need to show a performance, especially for those who have travelled up here today.

SNS

"We want the boys to give a good account of themselves over the next three games."

Adding that he does want to remain in charge of St Mirren, Teale adds: "Nothing at all... [talks over his future] it may be a conversation for next week."

St Johnstone v Dundee Utd

Alasdair Lamont at McDiarmid Park

BBC Scotland

Both sides' chances of catching Inverness CT in third are miniscule but the battle for fourth still matters for several reasons, not least the European place it would bring if Caley Thistle win the Scottish Cup.

St Johnstone, unbeaten in three, make one change from last weekend's draw with ICT, Gary Miller dropping to the bench to be replaced by Frazer Wright. United, who've won just one in four, bring in Sean Dillon, Callum Morris and Chris Erskine for Ryan McGowan, Charlie Telfer and Blair Spittal.

Your views

Jamie McGilchrist: Can someone please tell Muirhead to stop scoring? Any more and he'll be playing in Hoops by the start of next season. #bbcscotfootball

Tony Stewart: Inverness with 3rd place and winning the Scottish Cup? Inverness will become an island with them all jumping around...

Race for Europe

BBC

St Johnstone and Dundee United, both with European aspirations, lock horns at McDiarmid Park this afternoon...

MacPherson open to Buddies return

Brian McLauchlin

BBC Scotland

Gus MacPherson has told BBC Scotland he would be interested in the St Mirren job, should it become available in the summer.

Gary Teale is currently in charge of the Buddies, whose relegation from the top flight was confirmed on Friday.

SNS

MacPherson, manager of the Paisley club from 2003 until 2010, left after being told his contract was not being renewed.

The 46-year-old is currently in charge of Queen's Park who are in the League Two play-offs.

MacPherson still harbours ambitions to manage at a higher level and that he is confident in his ability to do so.

"I'm only 46 and I know I could do it," he said.

"I'd always be respectful; they'd have to make an official approach. But we're under contract here."

'Three points are a must'

BBC Sportsound pundit John Robertson

"At this stage of the season, three points are a must. Everything that Jim McIntyre said [see 14:08] there is spot on. The last thing he needs today is for St Mirren to leave Dingwall with three points..."

Instability costly for Buddies - Gillies

Uncertainty over St Mirren's future contributed to their relegation from the Premiership, according to former Buddies midfielder Ricky Gillies.

Motherwell's win 3-1 at home to Kilmarnock on Friday consigned the Buddies to the Championship next term.

SNS

"There's a lot of instability within the club," Gillies told BBC Scotland.

"The club has been up for sale [for several years], and that's something I thought would've been sorted out last summer."

'We can remain in the division'

Ross County boss Jim McIntyre

"Last night's a great result for Motherwell but nothing we can influence. All we can do today is try to pick up three points.

"We want to keep a clean sheet and hopefully score; we'll take three points, that's the main thing.

SNS

"We've got every confidence we can remain in the division - we just have to finish it."

Get Involved

Are you heading to a game this afternoon? We want to hear from St Mirren fans? How do you feel about relegation? Can you come straight back up?

Is your team trying to avoid the play-offs?

Also, we want to know: who has been your player of the season?

Share your views via text using 80295, or tweet @bbcsportscot using #bbcscotfootball and visit our Facebook page.

State of play in the Premiership...

Should Inverness win they will seal third place in the table and with it a place in Europe regardless of other results.

However, if St Johnstone and Dundee United were to draw, then Inverness would only require a point against Dundee at Dens Park.

There's a three-way tussle to avoid 11th place and a play-off with a team from the Championship. Motherwell are three behind Kilmarnock, who they beat last night, and Ross County.

County can take a big step towards safety with a win at home against the Buddies today but, with two games remaining, will not quite be there.

In short: plenty to play for and get our teeth into!

Championship play-off fixtures

Today's second legs also get under way at 3pm.

Alloa (2) v (0) Brechin City

Stranraer (0) v (3) Forfar

Queen's Park (2) v (2) Arbroath

Stenhousemuir (1) v (1) East Fife

Fixture frenzy

Today's Premiership games, all getting under way at 3pm.

Dundee v Inverness CT

Hamilton v Partick

Ross County v St Mirren

St Johnstone v Dundee United

Then, at 5:30pm, Queen of the South host Rangers at Palmerston Park in the first leg of their Premiership play-off.

Here we go...

The end of the domestic season is just around the corner but we still have plenty to play for...

Motherwell's victory against Kilmarnock last night sealed St Mirren's fate to send the Buddies down form the top flight.

The race for third place in the Scottish Premiership and the battle to avoid the dreaded play-offs intensifies.

BBC