Scottish Premiership Returns: Celtic Out to Halt Three-Game Slide as Marink Reedijk Takes Charge of Hibs
Premiership Back with a Bang After Extended Break
After what felt like an eternity, domestic football returns to Scotland on Saturday. The extended international break came at a curious moment — arriving just as the Scottish Premiership was getting warmed up — and the pause felt more like a mini-close season than a routine hiatus.
Now, with many players recharged after time spent in warmer climes, all 12 top-flight teams get back to business this weekend. From a Rangers side protecting a six-game winning streak to defending champions Celtic trying to arrest a worrying slump, there is plenty on the line.
Can Rangers Keep Up Momentum?
The break may have been regarded as somewhat bittersweet at Rangers. After six straight wins, a bit of rest and recuperation could be just the ticket for Derek McInnes' high-flying squad. That said, with confidence sky-high, the momentum built from those wins may prove difficult to recapture straight away.
Kilmarnock are Saturday's visitors to Ibrox, seeking to become the first away league side to score there since early August. Neil McCann's men got a boost before the break with some positive domestic results, including a win away to Hibernian and draws against both Aberdeen and last season's runners-up Hearts.
The duel between one-time Rangers and Scotland team-mates McInnes and McCann will make for an intriguing watch in Govan.
What Will New Hibs Boss Reedijk Bring?
New manager Marink Reedijk takes charge of Hibernian in a match for the first time on Saturday, with Dundee United the opponents at Tannadice. The Dutchman may have preferred to open his reign at home, but he should have a decent travelling support behind him in Dundee.
Hibs sit third bottom of the league — a point above Falkirk and two above Kilmarnock — and Reedijk has not had the benefit of a transfer window, having joined late last month. David Gray left behind a squad with plenty of Premiership experience and one or two exciting young talents, such as striker Owen Elding.
What the 35-year-old Reedijk brings to the division will become clearer by Saturday evening, but he has already promised "brave, intense and committed" football. Leith will be watching with prying eyes.
Hearts Look to Beat Again as Dundee Aim High
Hearts' season has come a cropper in recent weeks with a defeat at Falkirk and a draw away to Kilmarnock. Hardly a crisis, but Wouter Vrancken's side will not want the stutter to carry on when St Mirren visit Tynecastle on Saturday.
The Paisley side had a buoyant start to the season but have struggled over their past three games, losing on each occasion. If Hearts are to drop more points, it's not just St Mirren who are lurking close by, but also Dundee.
Steven Pressley's side went into the break with a morale-boosting win over Motherwell and, like St Mirren, sit three points off Hearts. Dundee are on the road against Falkirk on Saturday, meeting a side going through a mini-revival after dropping points during a transitional phase at the start of the campaign.
How Will Celtic Respond to Recent Setbacks?
Celtic have lost their past three fixtures in all competitions, including league and cup defeats to Rangers. However, Martin O'Neill's defending champions are two points clear at the top of the table, and their Sunday trip to face Motherwell at Fir Park carries something of a dual focus.
Stopping the rot and returning to winning ways will be the priority, but the match also serves as a warm-up for Thursday's Europa League trip to face the formidable Benfica in Lisbon.
Celtic meet a Motherwell side not in great form themselves, having also lost three on the bounce. Defeats to Rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee have brought what was an encouraging start to the season to a halt for Alfred Johansson's side. But one positive result changes all that — and the Steelmen certainly caused Celtic problems last season. It could be a fascinating watch in Lanarkshire.
Mid-Table Matinee at Pittodrie
The final fixture of the weekend pitches Aberdeen against St Johnstone at Pittodrie, with both sides sitting level on eight points after seven games and Saints marginally better off on goals scored.
It is a first meeting in the top flight for these two in more than a year, and both went into the break in decent fettle — the Dons unbeaten in four and St Johnstone striking late to pick up a point at home to Falkirk.
With at least one of Hearts and St Mirren guaranteed to drop points on Saturday, Sunday presents a real opportunity for either Aberdeen or Saints to close the gap on those above them in the table.