Thank you for your company this evening, I'll leave you in the hands of Steven Thompson, Michael Stewart & Charlie Mulgrew with Sportscene which kicks off imminently. You'll not want to miss it.
Hibs secure third, St Johnstone relegated, and VAR in the spotlight as Ross County and Dundee face a fight to avoid the Premiership play-off.
Just a standard Wednesday. Cheerio.
FT: Rangers 3-1 Dundee United
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland "We're making hard work of it [securing European football and finishing fourth], there's no getting away from that fact, the last four results haven't been good enough.
"But I think, I've said it numerous times, if you had offered us this opportunity on Saturday, way back at the beginning of the season, a one-off game to go and potentially, not just secure a fifth, but clinch fourth, would be a remarkable finish for us.
"We'll need to recover quickly. We've came here tonight with only six subs on the bench, given the injuries that we have to some key players - one or two have limped off again tonight - so the medical team are going to be extremely busy over the next 48 hours to try and make sure these players are ready to give their all in a really difficult game against Aberdeen."
Image source, SNSFT: Motherwell 3-0 Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock assistant manager Paul Sheerin tells BBC Scotland: "The manager made his point in the press before the game and in the lead up, so we know his stance on the situation. That's the only reason I'm stood here.
"There's walks of life where you work your notice and nothing is really said about it. It's part and parcel of people's contracts. The manager has done everything he can to be in the dugout for the last couple of games, he's stressed that to the players - he'd love to be here.
"He's got a brilliant relationship with the club and always has. If it all to go through and be finalised, he's leaving them in a far better place than what they were.
"I understand their frustrations and there is an awkwardness about it. We can't get away from that. But I'm sure the manager will do his best for the club."
Image source, SNSWe'll be here for you until Sportscene starts at 22:40 BST, so still time to bring you some more reaction.
Paul Sheerin coming up shortly.
FT: Motherwell 3-0 Kilmarnock
Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer tells BBC Scotland's Jane Lewis: "I'm very happy, very proud of the guys. It was a great atmosphere.
"It was not so easy, despite the red card. We needed a lot of patience, but the guys did really well. They were good in possession, it was only a matter of time until we scored.
"It's not our biggest strength - scoring goals. But they believe in themselves. They kept possession, played quickly, ed quickly, and deserved to win.
"This is what I want to see from my team, I don't like to be one in front and then defending the goal. Always keep going. Play for the second goal. If you get that, play for the third. This should be the attitude. It's always better to attack than defend.
"It's 11 games. I have a perfect picture. I know everything. I can say it is a brilliant team. Each guy in this team is brilliant, I love each guy. But we have to take decisions. We want to improve, we have to do something."
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 3-1 Dundee United
On Vaclav Cerny, Barry Ferguson added: "I know he's loved his time here at Rangers. It's a special place to play football, with special ers and it was just a case of, I thought he was tiring a wee bit, bring him off, round the applause and he lapped it up.
"What I do know is Vaz loves it here, he loves playing for the club, so we'll see what happens over the summer, but listen, he's had a brilliant season for us, he's been a big player for Rangers, he's certainly been a big player for me and again, he's another one that's been, he's been a joy to work with."
Image source, SNSFT: Rangers 3-1 Dundee United
Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson tells BBC Scotland: "It's easy to be in holiday mode but I demanded that wasn't the case, certainly, starting on Sunday. We got that monkey off our back with a win against Aberdeen and I just wanted it to continue tonight and I've got to give the players credit."
On that potentially being his final home game as boss, he said: "It's been a brilliant three months for me, I've loved every single minute of it. I never thought it would ever happen, but I've come in and I've given it my all and so has my staff, and, to be fair to the players, so have they.
"We've had a few disappointing results as I said, but again, I've demanded from them to come back from poor performances and poor results and they've always done that for me, but in of the ers, a brilliant reception going round there.
"The level of from the staff inside Ibrox from the training centre and certainly from the fans inside Ibrox and also when I've played away from home, they've always got right behind me, so of course I appreciate that."
Image source, SNSAs I obviously try and kill some time until we get these manager quotes through... humour me. Who is going to finish 11th?
Thumbs up for Ross County (who finish at home to Motherwell), or thumbs down for Dundee (away to St Johnstone).
Speaking of absent managers, there's no Tony Docherty speaking to BBC Scotland's Andy Burke at Dens Park. It's assistant Stuart Taylor.
The Dundee boss certainly looked far from happy - to say the least - with that late penalty. Not only did it relegate St Johnstone, but it also put his own team back into play-off danger.
FT Rangers 3-1 Dundee United
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Ibrox
It's a positive to end Rangers' season in of home fixtures, and you can't argue with the outcome.
They did enough and can move on awaiting clarity that is coming sooner rather than later as a new chapter threatens to dawn.
Fans chanted Barry Ferguson's name in appreciation of his contribution. Not may expect he'll remain in charge, though.
For United, a European place comes down to a home test against Aberdeen. They'll need to produce a big, big performance.
Image source, SNSFT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari tells BBC Scotland: "It was not good enough for a long time because the table doesn't lie. It really, really hurts.
"We are crying tonight and tomorrow but always looking forward. This season is history. We need to change things and get this beautiful club back to winning ways.
"It's hard to play in relegation battles but it's even harder to play for promotion .That's what our aim is and that's what we start doing the day after tomorrow. It's a big, big job and will require a lot of effort every day.
"We can't have off days. We already started preparing, but we wanted to fight to stay in the Premiership. No excuses, we were not good enough.
"Numerous things need to change - some big, some small. It's more how you sustain this level and effort every match. Our weaknesses have been too big."
Asked if he expects to stay in charge next season, Valakari replies: "Things need to change and we are starting this change. We can't anymore like it has been three or four years flirting with relegation. It needs to go back to being successful and being more stable.
"I don't need to make any decisions. I want to stay. I want to rebuild this club and be successful with this club."
Image source, SNSTune in at 22:40 BST for Sportscene highlights of all tonight's games. You can watch it on BBC One Scotland, here on the BBC Sport website, and also on iPlayer.
Make sure to give the St Johnstone fan in your life a cuddle and an empire biscuit first.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has just spoken to BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin.
We'll bring you his words ASAP.
We're getting footage of the post-match manager interviews being done across the country.
At Fir Park, there's no sign of Derek McInnes. Instead, Paul Sheerin is being put up.
Thoughts on the thumbs Killie fans?
FT: Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic
Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie
Celtic cruised to this win with ease.
Not bad for what was effectively a second string Hoops side.
While it reinforces Celtic's superiority and squad depth, it will also have the Aberdeen fans perhaps fearing what will happen when the sides meet at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final later this month.
The only positive for Aberdeen is that St Mirren's draw with Hibs means they are now assured of European football next season.
Image source, SNSSecond-half goals from Luke McCowan, Johnny Kenny - his first for the club - and Adam Idah seal a comfortable victory for a much-changed Celtic side at Pittodrie.
It's an ominous marker for Aberdeen before the Scottish Cup final later this month.
Image source, SNS
Adam Idah
Ooft.
Adam Idah sweeps home a fifth for Celtic after Nicky Devlin blocked Adam Idah's shot on the line.
It's been a walk in the park for the champions.
If the final few minutes at Dens could be summed up in a pic...
Image source, SNSWe're into four added on up in Aberdeen.
Simo Valakari's St Johnstone have been relegated after losing to Hearts
St Johnstone's 16-year stay in the Scottish Premiership has ended after Ross County's stoppage-time equaliser in Dundee - coupled with a frenetic Tynecastle defeat - consigned Simo Valakari's team to relegation.
On a dramatic and ultimately calamitous night, the Perth side were facing the drop - trailing 2-0 while County and Dundee were level - then back in the fight when Dundee edged ahead.
However, just when it looked like it would go to Sunday's final games, Ronan Hale's stoppage-time penalty left St Johnstone four points adrift with a solitary fixture remaining.
Valakari's side, who have occupied bottom spot since 22 December, fell behind after 17 minutes to a slapstick Barry Douglas own goal, the defender awkwardly prodding a Harry Milne cross into his own net.
Alan Forrest doubled Hearts' lead with a scampering run and predatory finish before the interval, having been teed up by Lawrence Shankland.
Graham Carey's terrific free-kick dragged St Johnstone back into the contest, but they could not fashion an equaliser to deny Hearts a third straight victory.
Until Carey's rocket, St Johnstone looked to be sinking without a trace.
Josh Make had squandered two chances on the break, but Hearts looked the more threatening, Yan Dhanda striking the bar with a free-kick and Shankland unleashing a drive from just inside the St Johnstone half, which dipped wide.
St Johnstone play with laudable ambition under Valakari, and Carey's stunner, coupled with the magnitude of the night, imbued them with fresh confidence.
Stephen Duke-McKenna zipped a fabulous cross from the right which Taylor Steven lunged at but missed, then struck the side netting from an acute angle.
In the dying throes, they seared downfield in search of a leveller, and a seminal point in the relegation tussle. None came.
Valakari and his players were shaking hands at full-time, blissfully unaware of the events unfolding in Dundee.
They had trooped up the tunnel before Hale struck. Gone from the field, and the division.
Should, as is widely expected, Derek McInnes take up the managerial mantle in Gorgie, talks with Shankland will be high on his agenda.
The club have reportedly opened discussions with the out-of-contract striker already, and McInnes is likely to see the man he signed and released at Aberdeen as his attacking fulcrum.
Shankland has endured a barren season, deployed at the tip of a diamond rather than in a striking position, but his form since Neil Critchley's dismissal has been mightily encouraging.
Though he did not burnish his tally of five goals in three games, he laced another impressive outing with flourishes of class, his confidence restored and mojo rediscovered.
His sweet touch put Forrest through for Hearts' second and the sight of Shankland unleashing a 50-yard drive with predatory intent brought Tynecastle to its feet.
Valakari's Saints have waged their war against relegation with laudable intent, but on too many occasions, their flakiness in defence has given them mountains to climb.
Hearts split them open twice for their goals, Douglas spooked by Shankland lurking in his blind spot, and the untracked Forrest skipping beyond tacklers to net.
St Johnstone's ambitious, possession-based blueprint has not been underpinned by accuracy, and while they went after Hearts towards the end, clear-cut chances were scant.
This club has achieved greatness during its Premiership tenure - the European adventures, the domestic giant-slayings, 2014 Scottish Cup glory and of course, the staggering double of 2021 - but alas, traumatic and brutal as the axe falling was, this day has been a long time coming.
Hearts interim head coach Liam Fox: "Overall, I'm really, really pleased. We're delighted with the win.
"First half, some of the football we played was really good. Second half we had to show a different side to the team, we had to really dig deep and defend and the players worked really hard."
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "It was not good enough for a long time because the table doesn't lie. It really, really hurts.
"We are crying tonight and tomorrow but always looking forward. This season is history. We need to change things and get this beautiful club back to winning ways."
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 29 | 4 | 4 | 111 | 25 | 86 | 91 |
| |
| 37 | 22 | 8 | 7 | 78 | 39 | 39 | 74 |
| |
| 37 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 60 | 48 | 12 | 57 |
| |
| 37 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 47 | 59 | -12 | 53 |
| |
| 37 | 14 | 8 | 15 | 43 | 53 | -10 | 50 |
| |
| 37 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 52 | 58 | -6 | 49 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 14 | 7 | 16 | 51 | 47 | 4 | 49 |
| |
| 37 | 14 | 6 | 17 | 45 | 62 | -17 | 48 |
| |
| 37 | 12 | 8 | 17 | 45 | 63 | -18 | 44 |
| |
| 37 | 10 | 8 | 19 | 55 | 77 | -22 | 38 |
| |
| 37 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 36 | 64 | -28 | 36 |
| |
| 37 | 9 | 5 | 23 | 38 | 66 | -28 | 32 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 26 | 3 | 4 | 97 | 22 | 75 | 81 |
| |
| 33 | 20 | 6 | 7 | 68 | 35 | 33 | 66 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 54 | 41 | 13 | 53 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 41 | 40 | 1 | 50 |
| |
| 33 | 14 | 8 | 11 | 45 | 49 | -4 | 50 |
| |
| 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 45 | 54 | -9 | 41 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 7 | 15 | 43 | 44 | -1 | 40 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 39 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 38 | 58 | -20 | 35 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 33 | 56 | -23 | 35 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 7 | 17 | 50 | 71 | -21 | 34 |
| |
| 33 | 8 | 5 | 20 | 33 | 58 | -25 | 29 |
|
Manager: Liam Fox
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Manager: Liam Fox
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Simo Valakari
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Scottish Premiership
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Heart of Midlothian have won each of their last nine league meetings against St. Johnstone since a 1-2 defeat in February 2022. The only current Scottish Premiership side on a longer ongoing winning run against a current opponent in the competition is Celtic over Ross County (13).
St. Johnstone have lost nine of their last 10 Scottish Premiership away games at Hearts, including their last five in a row since a 1-0 win in December 2019 under Tommy Wright.
Hearts have only won their final home game in one of their last 10 top-flight league seasons (D4 L5 – including the curtailed 2019-20 season), a 2-1 victory over rivals Hibernian in 2017-18.
After failing to win their final away league game in five successive seasons from 2018-19 to 2022-23 (D2 L3 – including curtailed 2019-20 season), St. Johnstone won their last on the road in 2023-24 2-1 at Motherwell.
Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland has been directly involved in eight goals in his last 10 league appearances against St. Johnstone (6 goals, 2 assists), assisting both of his side’s goals in their 2-1 win in February.
