The Sport Matrix: Thursday 23 April 2015

Celtic move clear with win at Dundee

Champions Celtic moved eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership last nigt as goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and Virgil van Dijk earned a 2-1 victory at Dundee. Mackay-Steven opened the scoring after half an hour before Van Dijk doubled the lead with his second free-kick of the week, halfway through the second half. Jim McAllister scored a late reply for the hosts but Celtic hung on for the points.

Bangladesh set seal on whitewash

Bangladesh whitewashed Pakistan in a one-day international series for the first time after winning the third match by an emphatic eight wickets.

Bangladesh went into the match having already achieved a first series win against Pakistan and made more history, with opener Soumya Sarkar hitting his maiden century as Bangladesh raced to 251 for 2 in the 40th over, after bowling out Pakistan for 250 in 49.

Donaldson earns late Royal reward

Birmingham’s hopes of a top-half Championship finish were boosted last night as Clayton Donaldson’s late goal earned a 1-0 victory at FA Cup semi-finalists Reading. The 31-year-old headed home Stephen Gleeson’s cross from close range with seven minutes left to give the Blues a first away league win since December. They move above Cardiff into 13th, two points behind Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.

Pavey wants Thyroxine banned

Jo Pavey has called for an end to the “unethical” use of hormone replacement medication thyroxine as an alleged performance-enhancing drug. The 10,000m European champion fears track and field stars are misusing the drug, prescribed to cure underactive thyroid glands.

The UK Anti-Doping agency has pushed for the World Anti-Doping Agency to add thyroxine to the banned substances list and now Pavey has joined that clamour, fearing athletes are using the drug to boost recovery and performance. “It is a hormone, not a vitamin supplement,” the 40-year-old said. “It’s an unethical area. There are athletes who are full-out drugs cheats, athletes who would never take anything and athletes who would push the boundaries and take things I consider unethical.

“Anything I think which is unnaturally making your body deal with the training, increases your metabolism, makes you able to train harder, I believe that’s unethical and it shouldn’t be something we think, ‘Oh that’s fine’. People think, ‘How’s she running like that at the age of 40?’ I’ve prided myself as being a clean athlete my whole career.”

UAE ready to fight suspension ruling

The International Equestrian Federation says it is “disappointing” that the UAE is challenging its suspension for alleged horse welfare and rules violations. The nation was suspended after horse deaths, claims of doping and alleged faked results. Reinstatement depended on agreeing to protect horses and complying with rules.