2012–13 Scottish Premier League

Scottish Premier League
Season 2012–13
Champions Celtic
8th Premier League title
44th Scottish title overall
Relegated Dundee
Champions League Celtic
Europa League Motherwell
St. Johnstone
Hibernian
Matches played 228
Goals scored 623 (2.73 per match)
Top goalscorer Michael Higdon
(26 goals)
Biggest home win Celtic 5–0 Dundee
(24 February 2013)
Biggest away win St. Mirren 0–5 Celtic
(20 October 2012)
Highest scoring St. Mirren 5–4 Ross County
(29 September 2012)
Longest winning run 6 games[1]
Celtic
Longest unbeaten run 11 games[1]
Ross County
Longest winless run 14 games[1]
Dundee
Longest losing run 6 games[1]
Dundee
St. Mirren
Highest attendance 57,000[2]
Celtic 4–0 St. Johnstone
Lowest attendance 2,167[2]
St. Johnstone 3–1 Aberdeen
Average attendance 9,871[1]
2013–14 →

The 2012–13 Scottish Premier League was the fifteenth and final season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football, since its inception in 1998. The season began on 4 August 2012[3] and ended on 19 May 2013.[4]

Twelve teams contested the league. Ross County (champions) and Dundee (runners-up) were promoted from the 2011–12 First Division, replacing Dunfermline (relegated) and Rangers, who were granted entry to the Scottish Third Division after entering liquidation.

On 21 April, Celtic retained their title after a 4–1 home win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Celtic Park.[5][6][7]

This was the final season of the Scottish Premier League before it was abolished in June 2013, when the SPL and SFL merged to form the new Scottish Professional Football League,[8] with its top division being known as the Scottish Premiership.

Teams

Dunfermline were relegated from the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League. Ross County, who won the 2011–12 Scottish First Division, were promoted. The 2012–13 season marks the top-flight debut for the Highland team.[9]

The participation of Rangers, who failed to exit administration via a CVA after a proposed agreement with its creditors was rejected, was dependent on the outcome of a vote by SPL clubs on whether or not Rangers would be able to transfer their SPL membership share to a new company.[10] When the fixture list was published on 18 June 2012, Rangers were replaced by the term "Club 12", pending the outcome of the vote.[10][11] Eight clubs publicly declared that they would oppose the membership transfer to Rangers' newco, which would mean that they could not play in the SPL.[12] The vote took place on 4 July 2012, and Rangers were refused re-entry to the SPL by a 10-1 majority.[13] Dundee, who had finished second in the 2011–12 Scottish First Division, were invited to replace Rangers.[13][14]

Stadia and locations

Team Stadium Capacity
Aberdeen Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen 22,199
Celtic Celtic Park, Glasgow 60,355
Dundee Dens Park, Dundee 12,085
Dundee United Tannadice Park, Dundee 14,209
Heart of Midlothian Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh 17,420
Hibernian Easter Road, Edinburgh 20,421
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Caledonian Stadium, Inverness 7,918
Kilmarnock Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 18,128
Motherwell Fir Park, Motherwell 13,742
Ross County Victoria Park, Dingwall 6,310
St. Johnstone McDiarmid Park, Perth 10,673
St. Mirren St. Mirren Park, Paisley 8,016

Personnel and kits

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Aberdeen McInnes, DerekDerek McInnes Anderson, RussellRussell Anderson Adidas Team Recruitment
Celtic Lennon, NeilNeil Lennon Brown, ScottScott Brown Nike Tennents
Dundee Brown, JohnJohn Brown O'Donnell, StephenStephen O'Donnell Puma Kilmac Energy
Dundee United McNamara, JackieJackie McNamara Daly, JonJon Daly Nike Calor
Heart of Midlothian Locke, GaryGary Locke Žaliūkas, MariusMarius Žaliūkas Adidas Wonga.com
Hibernian Fenlon, PatPat Fenlon McPake, JamesJames McPake Puma Crabbie's
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Butcher, TerryTerry Butcher Foran, RichieRichie Foran Erreà Orion Group
Kilmarnock Shiels, KennyKenny Shiels Pascali, ManuelManuel Pascali Killie 1869 QTS
Motherwell McCall, StuartStuart McCall Lasley, KeithKeith Lasley Puma Cash Converters
Ross County Adams, DerekDerek Adams Brittain, RichardRichard Brittain Diadora Stanley CRC Evans Offshore
St Johnstone Lomas, SteveSteve Lomas Mackay, DaveDave Mackay Joma GS Brown Construction
St Mirren Lennon, DannyDanny Lennon Goodwin, JimJim Goodwin Diadora Diadora

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Heart of Midlothian Sérgio, PauloPaulo Sérgio End of contract[15] 7 June 2012 Pre-season McGlynn, JohnJohn McGlynn[16] 26 June 2012
Dundee United Houston, PeterPeter Houston Mutual consent[17] 28 January 2013 7th McNamara, JackieJackie McNamara[18] 30 January 2013
Dundee Smith, BarryBarry Smith Mutual consent[19] 20 February 2013 12th Brown, JohnJohn Brown[20] 23 February 2013
Heart of Midlothian McGlynn, JohnJohn McGlynn Contract terminated[21] 28 February 2013 11th Locke, GaryGary Locke[21] 28 February 2013
Aberdeen Brown, CraigCraig Brown Retired[22] 14 March 2013 9th McInnes, DerekDerek McInnes[23] 25 March 2013

League table

Pos
Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Promotion or relegation
1 Celtic (C) 38 24 7 7 92 35 +57 79 2013–14 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
2 Motherwell 38 18 9 11 67 51 +16 63 2013–14 UEFA Europa League third qualifying round
3 St. Johnstone 38 14 14 10 45 44 +1 56 2013–14 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
4 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 38 13 15 10 64 60 +4 54
5 Ross County 38 13 14 11 47 48 −1 53
6 Dundee United 38 11 14 13 51 62 −11 47
7 Hibernian2 38 13 12 13 49 52 −3 512013–14 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
8 Aberdeen2 38 11 15 12 41 43 −2 48
9 Kilmarnock 38 11 12 15 52 53 −1 45
10 Heart of Midlothian 38 11 11 16 40 49 −9 44
11 St. Mirren 38 9 14 15 47 60 −13 41
12 Dundee (R) 38 7 9 22 28 66 −38 30 Relegation to 2013–14 Scottish First Division

Source: Scottish Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
1 Since the winners of 2012–13 Scottish Cup, Celtic are already qualified to 2013–14 UEFA Champions League, the runners–up Hibernian secured a spot in 2013–14 UEFA Europa League in the second qualifying round.
2 Teams in the bottom half at the time of the split may not overtake a team in the top 6 at the time of the split.
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Season statistics

Top scorers

Rank Scorer Team Goals[2][24]
1 England Michael Higdon Motherwell 26
2 Scotland Leigh Griffiths Hibernian 23
Northern Ireland Billy McKay Inverness CT 23
4 Northern Ireland Niall McGinn Aberdeen 20
5 England Gary Hooper Celtic 19
6 Scotland Johnny Russell Dundee United 13
Scotland Steven Thompson St. Mirren 13
8 Scotland Andrew Shinnie Inverness CT 12
9 Scotland Kris Commons Celtic 11
Republic of Ireland Paul Heffernan Kilmarnock 11

Assists

Rank Player Club Assists[2][25]
1 Estonia Henrik Ojamaa Motherwell 16
2 Republic of Ireland Aaron Doran Inverness CT 12
3 Scotland Kris Commons Celtic 11
4 Republic of Ireland Jonny Hayes Aberdeen 9
Scotland Iain Vigurs Ross County 9
6 Jamaica Chris Humphrey Motherwell 8
Wales Adam Matthews Celtic 8
Scotland Gary Teale St. Mirren 8
9 Republic of Ireland Richie Foran Inverness CT 7
England Gary Hooper Celtic 7
England Nicky Law Motherwell 7
Scotland Andrew Shinnie Inverness CT 7

Hat-tricks

Player For Against Result Date
England Higdon, MichaelMichael Higdon Motherwell Inverness CT 4–1[26] 1 September 2012
Republic of Ireland Sheridan, CillianCillian Sheridan Kilmarnock Heart of Midlothian 3–1[27] 29 September 2012
Northern Ireland McKay, BillyBilly McKay Inverness CT Dundee United 4–4[28] 15 December 2012
Northern Ireland McGinn, NiallNiall McGinn Aberdeen Dundee 3–1[29] 15 December 2012
Scotland Russell, JohnnyJohnny Russell Dundee United Kilmarnock 3–2[30] 19 January 2013
England Higdon, MichaelMichael Higdon Motherwell St. Johnstone 3–2[31] 20 January 2013
Republic of Ireland Heffernan, PaulPaul Heffernan Kilmarnock Heart of Midlothian 3–0[32] 16 February 2013
Northern Ireland McKay, BillyBilly McKay Inverness CT Motherwell 4–3[33] 4 May 2013

Scoring

Clean sheets

Discipline

Results

Matches 1–22

Teams play each other twice, once at home, once away

Home ╲ Away[1] ABE CEL DNDDUNHOMHIBINVKILMOTROSSTJSTM
Aberdeen 0–2 2–0 2–2 0–0 2–1 2–3 0–2 3–3 0–0 2–0 0–0
Celtic 1–0 2–0 4–0 1–0 2–2 0–1 0–2 1–0 4–0 1–1 2–0
Dundee 1–3 0–2 0–3 1–0 3–1 1–4 0–0 1–2 0–1 1–3 0–2
Dundee United 1–1 2–2 3–0 0–3 3–0 4–4 3–3 1–2 0–0 1–1 3–4
Heart of Midlothian 2–0 0–4 0–1 2–1 0–0 2–2 1–3 1–0 2–2 2–0 1–0
Hibernian 0–1 1–0 3–0 2–1 1–1 2–2 2–1 2–3 0–1 2–0 2–1
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1–1 2–4 4–1 4–0 1–1 3–0 1–1 1–5 3–1 1–1 2–2
Kilmarnock 1–3 1–3 0–0 3–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 1–2 3–0 1–2 3–1
Motherwell 4–1 0–2 1–1 0–1 0–0 0–4 4–1 2–2 3–2 1–1 1–1
Ross County 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–2 3–2 0–0 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–0
St Johnstone 1–2 2–1 1–0 0–0 2–2 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–3 1–1 2–1
St Mirren 1–4 0–5 3–1 0–1 2–0 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–1 5–4 1–1

Source: BBC Sport
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 23–33

Teams play every other team once (either at home or away)

Home ╲ Away[1] ABE CEL DNDDUNHOMHIBINVKILMOTROSSTJSTM
Aberdeen 1–0 2–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0
Celtic 4–3 5–0 6–2 4–1 3–0 4–1
Dundee 1–1 0–3 0–2 2–2 2–1
Dundee United 1–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1
Heart of Midlothian 1–0 2–3 0–3 1–2 4–2 2–0
Hibernian 1–1 0–0 1–2 2–2 1–3
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3–0 1–3 0–0 1–1 2–1 0–0
Kilmarnock 1–1 1–2 2–3 2–0 1–1
Motherwell 2–1 0–1 4–1 3–0 3–2 2–2
Ross County 3–2 1–0 0–1 3–0 1–0
St Johnstone 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–0
St Mirren 1–1 0–0 2–0 0–1 2–1 1–4

Source: BBC Sport
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 34–38

After 33 matches, the league splits into two sections of six teams each, with teams playing every other team in their section once (either at home or away). The exact matches are determined upon the league table at the time of the split.

Top six

Home ╲ Away[1] CEL DUN INVMOTROSSTJ
Celtic 4–1 4–0
Dundee United 0–4 1–3 0–1
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1–2 4–3
Motherwell 3–1 2–0
Ross County 1–1 1–0 1–0
St Johnstone 1–0 2–0 2–2

Source: BBC Sport
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Bottom six

Home ╲ Away[1] ABE DND HOMHIBKILSTM
Aberdeen 1–1 1–0
Dundee 1–1 1–0 2–3
Heart of Midlothian 1–2 3–0
Hibernian 0–0 1–0 3–3
Kilmarnock 0–1 1–3 1–3
St Mirren 0–0 1–2

Source: BBC Sport
1 ^ The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Awards

Monthly awards

Month Manager Player Young Player
August Scotland Derek Adams (Ross County)[36] Scotland Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian)[37] Scotland Tony Watt (Celtic)[38]
September Northern Ireland Steve Lomas (St. Johnstone)[39] England Michael Higdon (Motherwell)[40] Scotland Ryan Fraser (Aberdeen)[41]
October Scotland Craig Brown (Aberdeen)[42] Northern Ireland Niall McGinn (Aberdeen)[42] Scotland Ryan Fraser (Aberdeen)[42]
November England Terry Butcher (Inverness CT)[43] Northern Ireland Billy McKay (Inverness CT)[43] Republic of Ireland Aaron Doran (Inverness CT)[43]
December Northern Ireland Neil Lennon (Celtic)[44] Scotland Jamie Murphy (Motherwell)[45] Republic of Ireland Joe Shaughnessy (Aberdeen)[46]
January Scotland Derek Adams (Ross County)[47] England Gary Hooper (Celtic)[48] Wales Adam Matthews (Celtic)[49]
February Scotland Derek Adams (Ross County)[50] Scotland Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian)[51] Scotland Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United)
March Scotland Stuart McCall (Motherwell)[52] England Nicky Law (Motherwell)[53] England Josh Meekings (Inverness CT)[54]
April Scotland John Brown (Dundee)[55] England Michael Higdon (Motherwell)[56] Estonia Henrik Ojamaa (Motherwell)[57]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Scotland Stats – 2012–13". ESPN Soccernet. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN). Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 "Statistics". Scottish Premier League. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "Scottish Premier League sets 4 August start date for 2012/13 season". BBC Sport (BBC). 21 December 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  4. ↑ "Key dates". Scottish Premier League. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Conaghan, Martin (21 April 2013). "Celtic 4–1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)). Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  6. ↑ "Celtic retain Scottish Premier League title". ESPN. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  7. ↑ "Celtic 4 Inverness 1: Hooper at the double as Bhoys retain SPL title in style". Daily Mail. 21 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  8. ↑ "Scottish Football League clubs vote in favour of a proposed merger with the Scottish Premier League.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2013-06-12.
  9. ↑ "Ross County ready for Scotland's top-flight". BBC Sport (BBC). 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Grahame, Ewing (17 June 2012). "Rangers would have to start in Scottish League Division Three". The Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "Rangers replaced with 'Club 12' in SPL fixture list". BBC Sport (BBC). 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Newco Rangers will not get votes for SPL transfer". BBC Sport (BBC). 25 June 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Rangers newco refused SPL entry after chairmen vote". BBC Sport (BBC). 4 July 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  14. ↑ "Rangers: Dundee invited to take place in SPL". BBC Sport (BBC). 16 July 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "Manager Paulo Sergio leaves Hearts after rejecting deal". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "John McGlynn is Hearts manager after leaving Raith Rovers". BBC Sport (BBC). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  17. ↑ "Dundee Utd boss Peter Houston brings forward Tannadice exit". BBC Sport (BBC). 28 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  18. ↑ "Jackie McNamara named as new Dundee United manager". BBC Sport (BBC). 30 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  19. ↑ "Dundee part company with manager Barry Smith". BBC Sport (BBC). 20 February 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "John Brown takes over as Dundee interim manager". BBC Sport (BBC). 23 February 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "John McGlynn departs Hearts manager position". BBC Sport (BBC). 28 February 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  22. ↑ "Aberdeen boss Craig Brown to retire in the summer". BBC Sport (BBC). 14 March 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  23. ↑ "Aberdeen confirm Derek McInnes will replace Craig Brown as boss". BBC Sport (BBC). 25 March 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  24. ↑ "Scotland Stats: Top Goal Scorers – 2012–13". ESPN Soccernet. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  25. ↑ "Scotland Stats: Assists Leaders – 2012–13". ESPN Soccernet. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN). Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  26. ↑ "Motherwell 4–1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  27. ↑ "Hearts 1–3 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  28. ↑ Miller, Stevie (15 December 2012). "Inverness CT 4–4 Dundee United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  29. ↑ McLauchlin, Brian (29 December 2012). "Dundee 1–3 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  30. ↑ "Kilmarnock 2–3 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 19 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  31. ↑ "Motherwell 3–2 St. Johnstone". BBC Sport. 20 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "Hearts 0–3 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  33. ↑ "Inverness CT 4–3 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  34. ↑ "Celtic 4–Aberdeen 3". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)). 2 September 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  35. ↑ "Celtic 4–3 Aberdeen". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)). 16 March 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  36. ↑ "Ross County boss Derek Adams named manager of the month". BBC Sport (BBC). 30 August 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  37. ↑ "Hibernian's Leigh Griffiths named SPL player of month for August". BBC Sport (BBC). 13 September 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  38. ↑ "Celtic's Tony Watt wins August young player of the month award". BBC Sport (BBC). 12 September 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  39. ↑ "St Johnstone's Steve Lomas named manager of the month". BBC Sport (BBC). 4 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  40. ↑ "Motherwell striker Michael Higdon nets player award". BBC Sport (BBC). 5 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  41. ↑ "SPL: Aberdeen's Ryan Fraser is young player of the month". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 October 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 "Aberdeen trio collect monthly SPL awards". BBC Sport (BBC). 6 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 "Inverness CT sweep Clydesdale Bank SPL November awards". BBC Sport (BBC). 6 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  44. ↑ "Celtic manager Neil Lennon wins December award". BBC Sport (BBC). 10 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  45. ↑ "Ex-Motherwell forward Jamie Murphy wins SPL monthly award". BBC Sport (BBC). 10 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  46. ↑ "Aberdeen's Joe Shaughnessy wins December young player award". BBC Sport (BBC). 10 January 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  47. ↑ "Ross County manager Derek Adams wins January SPL award". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  48. ↑ "Celtic striker Gary Hooper wins SPL monthly award". BBC Sport (BBC). 19 February 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
  49. ↑ "Celtic's Adam Matthews wins SPL January young player award". BBC Sport (BBC). 8 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  50. ↑ "Ross County's Derek Adams wins February SPL award". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 March 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  51. ↑ "Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths nets monthly SPL award". BBC Sport (BBC). 8 March 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  52. ↑ "Motherwell's Stuart McCall is SPL manager of month". BBC Sport (BBC). 15 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  53. ↑ "Award-winner Nicky Law ponders future at Motherwell". BBC Sport (BBC). 15 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  54. ↑ "Inverness CT player Josh Meekings wins young player award". BBC Sport (BBC). 19 April 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  55. ↑ "Dundee's John Brown wins award and has another blast at St Mirren". BBC Sport (BBC). 1 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  56. ↑ "Motherwell's Michael Higdon picks up April player prize". BBC Sport (BBC). 12 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  57. ↑ "Motherwell's Henrik Ojamaa picks up young player award for April". BBC Sport (BBC). 3 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.

External links