Celtic deployed Tomoki Iwata at centre-half in the draw with St Mirren but is the Japanese man capable of filling that role next season?
KEITH JACKSON: He’ll need to improve. Quickly. Iwata is cultured and composed with the ball at his feet but he’s struggling to adapt to the defensive rough and tumble of the Scottish game. Curtis Main ran riot against him on Saturday and should have helped himself to a hat-trick..
GORDON PARKS: He was run ragged by Curtis Main and looks well short of what’s required but Ange Postecoglou will know he’ll need to bolster his defensive options this summer but Iwata looks well short of what’s required.
MICHAEL GANNON: It would be harsh to judge him on one game. He’s played there before in Japan and is clearly able to build from the back. Iwata could be a handy stop gap if need be but Celtic could do with more cover in that position.
Dundee United’s loss at Livingston has relegation looming but can they pull off a Harry Houdini act in the last two games?
KEITH: It doesn’t look like it. Having fully expected United to get their house in order earlier this season they have continually contrived to make a mess of it. They are where they are for a reason and they’re going down with a whimper.
GORDON: There was the whiff of inevitability about United’s fate at Livingston on Saturday and they look doomed despite Jim Goodwin’s best efforts. There is something rotten at Tannadice but that’s been the case long before the Irishman arrived and it’s all pointing towards a spell in the Championship.
MICHAEL: It’s still possible but they’ll need a major turnaround in the way they are defending. United have self-sabotaged all season but if they can cut out the madness and get a win against Killie they can still escape. There’s a few twists to come
Kevin Van Veen scored in his ninth consecutive game for Motherwell, can the Fir Park side keep him for next season or is his exit to bigger things inevitable?
KEITH: Van Veen is perfectly happy at Fir Park which means Motherwell may have a chance of holding onto him. But his phenomenal goal scoring stats suggest otherwise. Some club will come calling for him this summer. It all depends on who is making the offer.
GORDON: Not a chance. Van Veen has struck goalscoring gold and the most priceless commodity in football will ensure he’s off to pastures new but not before Motherwell are made an offer they can’t refuse for the Dutchman.
MICHAEL: It’s going to be difficult. The big man is 31 years-old and his next move might be the last decent contract of his career. It would be brilliant if Well could hang on to him but sometimes we have to understand the economics.
Hearts have closed the gap on third placed Aberdeen to only two points, who will land the best of the rest tag with two games to play?
KEITH: A home win for Aberdeen against St Mirren should be enough to secure third place on Wednesday night. That’ll be easier said than done but it’s a scenario Barry Robson would have bit your arm off for when he took on the job. He won’t let it slip away now.
GORDON: Hearts have paid the price for their implosion which cost Robbie Neilson his job as the Dons have more than enough to beat St Mirren midweek and mark their remarkable change in fortune under Barry Robson.
MICHAEL: Aberdeen are still in the box seat as they know they can seal the deal with a win against St Mirren in midweek while the Jambos head to Ibrox. It was a terrific win against the Dons but the remarkable turnaround at Pittodrie under Barry Robson will be rewarded.
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