Hearts aim to end Dons run & Hale focus

There's one more round of Scottish Premiership fixtures before the next international break cycle kicks in.

Here are some names and games likely to pique the interest.

Game of the weekend - Aberdeen v Hearts (Sun, 15:00 BST)

On Monday, the prospect of travelling to in-form Aberdeen would have been that much more daunting for Hearts.

Without a win all season, the Tynecastle side had an awkward midweek Conference League fixture to negotiate first.

But negotiate it they did. Yan Dhanda's added-time goal against Dinamo Minsk in a closed doors neutral venue in Azerbaijan secured a first win since May and interim boss Liam Fox takes his once again buoyant squad to Pittodrie on Sunday.

Will Hearts be the team to end Aberdeen's 100% start to the season? They will have their work cut out if so.

Dundee gave Jimmy Thelin's side a stern examination at Dens Park last weekend but the Dons came away with a 2-1 win and start this weekend still five points in front of Rangers and only below Celtic on goal difference.

Player to watch - Ronan Hale (Ross County)

Ross County were denied a famous win at Tynecastle last weekend as Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland headed an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

County had led through Ronan Hale's sumptuous strike - his sixth goal in 10 games this season.

But, in Celtic, the Dingwall side and Hale are up against a team yet to concede a Premiership goal all season, though they did lose 7-1 to Champions League opponents Borussia Dortmund in midweek.

County's Hale, 26, could bolster his burgeoning reputation by finding the net.

Manager watch - Simo Valakari (St Johnstone)

Simo Valakari is a familiar name to Scottish football fans of a certain generation following his playing spell with Motherwell in the late 1990s.

On Sunday evening, he will watch on as his St Johnstone side face Rangers at Ibrox, with Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland continuing in the dugout. Valakari will take proper charge after the international break, but any changes he makes after Sunday could be telling.

Saints sustained a heavy 6-0 loss at home to Celtic last weekend and are bidding to end a run of six defeats in a row to Rangers in all competitions.

However, the player who scored the winner in their most recent victory in the fixture, Nicky Clark, is still going strong in Perth and the former Rangers forward's experience could be crucial as Saints seek to capitalise on any post-Europa League hangover at Ibrox.

Rangers were humbled 4-1 at home by Lyon on Thursday and could be eight points off the pace in the Premiership by the time Sunday's game kicks off at 20:00.