After two contrasting Premier Sports activities Cup semi-finals and blended midweek fortunes for Scotland’s three European representatives, it’s again to Premiership enterprise with 4 video games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
After all, it’s price recalling that, regardless of Celtic’s 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen to achieve the League Cup remaining, the edges stay unbeaten and solely separated by aim distinction on the prime of the league desk.
Right here are some things to observe over the weekend:
Sport of weekend – Kilmarnock v Celtic
Having swept apart the Dons in that semi-final – then RB Leipzig 3-1 within the Champions League – Celtic as soon as extra look a relentlessly potent drive.
If Brendan Rodgers had did not persuade some final season regardless of finally cantering to the league title, his facet’s current scintillating performances are serving to put to mattress unfavourable comparisons with Celtic underneath predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Sure, there was the 7-1 thrashing away to Borussia Dortmund, however they’ve shrugged off that embarrassment by going seven video games unbeaten since.
Albeit a type of was Aberdeen’s two-goal fightback to attract at Celtic Park, it has culminated of their two most spectacular shows this season.
Certainly, it’s 25 video games since they final misplaced domestically, in opposition to Coronary heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle in March, and so they head to Rugby Park on Sunday having received all 5 away league video games this season.
Celtic eased to a 4-0 win on Kilmarnock’s go to to Glasgow in August and handed out a 5-0 thrashing on their final journey to Ayrshire in Might, all of which doesn’t recommend Derek McInnes’ facet will provide a lot resistance this time both.
Nonetheless, Kilmarnock are unbeaten in 4 at dwelling and can take coronary heart from their final Rugby Park outing – when a single aim accounted for the opposite facet of the Outdated Agency to heap stress on Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement and ship McInnes to the highest of the bookmakers’ odds because the Belgian’s possible successor.
Certainly, Celtic headed dwelling crushed of their different two visits final season – as soon as within the Premiership and as soon as within the League Cup – as properly being held to a draw at Celtic Park.
We could possibly be in for some post-Bonfire Night time fireworks.
Participant to observe – Vaclav Cerny (Rangers)
Who begins for Rangers as they entertain Coronary heart of Midlothian on Sunday can be nearly as intriguing as the sport and end result.
Lengthy-time captain James Tavernier was dropped to the bench for Thursday’s Europa League draw with Olympiakos – after which Neraysho Kasanwirjo was most popular as a substitute right-back for Dujon Sterling in the course of the second half.
Clement put the choice all the way down to managing the sport time of the ageing Englishman – and needing multiple captain, with goalkeeper Jack Butland handed the armband.
Nonetheless, it has led to hypothesis about Tavernier’s future within the facet given his legendary aim and help contributions are now not outweighing his oft talked about defensive frailties amid a troublesome begin to the season for his facet.
It’s Vaclav Cerny who has picked up the baton as Rangers’ most potent attacking drive.
Clement was suggested by his medical group in opposition to utilizing the Czech Republic winger in so many consecutive video games earlier within the season, however it might be onerous to depart out somebody who has scored 4 targets in his 5 dwelling appearances within the Premiership, together with three in his final two.
Particularly so given Hearts have held Rangers to attracts of their newest two conferences and arrive having earned reward for his or her efficiency regardless of dropping 2-0 at dwelling to Heidenheim within the Convention League.
They’ve additionally amassed seven factors in 4 league video games underneath Neil Critchley – as many because the earlier 12 earlier than he was appointed head coach.
With or with out Cerny and Tavernier, nonetheless, third-top Rangers will begin sturdy favourites in opposition to the second-bottom facet given they’ve received seven in a row at dwelling domestically this season and are unbeaten in 16 conferences in opposition to Hearts, successful 12, each total and at Ibrox.
Managers in highlight
It comes with the territory nowadays you can take a look at all six Premiership fixtures this weekend and make a case for not less than one supervisor in every being underneath explicit stress.
Most likely half from Tannadice, the place Dundee United host Ross County after each picked up creditable away attracts final trip.
Simo Valakari heads to Motherwell on Saturday with no considerations about his job, however the Finn can be eager to keep away from a 3rd straight defeat that may undermine the feelgood issue that accompanied his change from Riga to grow to be St Johnstone supervisor final month.
Equally, and on the identical time, Dundee arrive at Pittodrie, the place Jimmy Thelin faces the primary check of his skill to elevate Aberdeen from a serious disappointment after their 16-game unbeaten run for the reason that Swede arrived from Elfsborg got here to a crashing halt by the hands of Celtic at Hampden.
Dundee’s comeback from two targets all the way down to beat Kilmarnock 3-2 final weekend is not going to have helped Derek McInnes keep his place because the bookmakers’ favorite to be the following Rangers supervisor ought to Clement lose his job.
Shortly after McInnes appears to be like to enhance his CV in opposition to Celtic on Sunday, Clement can be hoping to construct on Sunday’s League Cup semi-final win over Motherwell and Thursday’s creditable draw with Olympiakos in Piraeus – and additional dissipate discuss of a disaster at Ibrox.
Nonetheless, maybe essentially the most distinctive problem going through a supervisor comes at Easter Street on Saturday, when Stephen Robinson appears to be like to keep away from a fourth consecutive away defeat with a St Mirren squad coming to phrases with their newest off-field misdemeanours.
Having parted firm with defender Shaun Rooney following an assault cost, this week they terminated Kevin van Veen’s mortgage from Groningen after the striker appeared in courtroom charged with home abuse, whereas left-back Jaden Brown is awaiting sentence for driving offences.
Visiting a Hibs facet sitting backside of the desk with head coach David Grey underneath stress after a run of six video games and not using a win could possibly be welcome aid contemplating they received on each their visits to Paisley final season.