Adieu for O'Riley? Majestic McGrath & Gray looks to lift gloom

The third weekend of the Scottish Premiership season is upon us, with champions Celtic and Aberdeen the only sides with 100% records to protect.

Half of the league is seeking a first win, while bottom two, Hibs and Kilmarnock, are yet to score.

Kilmarnock also have to recover from a painful European loss, as do Hearts, who are without a victory so far this term.

Here are just a few of the things to look out for over Saturday and Sunday.

Match of the weekend - St Mirren v Celtic

For the chasing pack, Celtic's early form is ominous.

While there were a few blips at the beginning of last term, this time Brendan Rodgers' side appear a well oiled machine, cantering to wins against Kilmarnock and Hibs and seeing off the latter opponents again in the League Cup.

Having missed chunks of the previous campaign, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor are back making things tick, but their midfield partner Matt O'Riley may well be heading for pastures new.

With Brighton favourites for his signature, could Sunday's visit to Paisley be a farewell for the impressive 23-year-old?

Celtic are aiming for a sixth successive victory over St Mirren, having won last season's five meetings by an aggregate score of 13-3.

St Mirren's first European adventure in 37 years is over, but manager Stephen Robinson will be glad of the extra rest for such a tough test. He will also be hoping skipper Mark O'Hara can return to add steel and drive in the middle of the park.

After three defeats on the road, St Mirren will be happy to be back on their own patch, where they swept Hibs aside on week one.

However, the Buddies have only celebrated one win from the past 19 home encounters with Celtic, losing 15 of those.

Celtic will want to go into the first Old Firm showdown of the season with a lead over Rangers but, if O'Riley does move in this transfer window, he won't be around for the derby.

Player to watch - Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen)

Can Aberdeen midfielder Jamie McGrath find the net again at home to Kilmarnock?

Jamie McGrath has made a flying start to the season with Aberdeen.

The 27-year-old midfielder has provided a goal and an assist each time as the Dons opened their Premiership campaign with back-to-back wins over St Johnstone and St Mirren.

Aberdeen lost all three league meetings with Kilmarnock last season without scoring, but McGrath and his team-mates will be in confident mood as they aim for an eighth successive victory under manager Jimmy Thelin.

The last player to score and assist in three straight outings in the top flight was Celtic’s Anthony Stokes in May 2014.

Manager in the spotlight - David Gray (Hibernian)

Hibs and Kilmarnock are the only teams yet to get off the mark in the league and the mood at Easter Road remains bleak after three underwhelming seasons and last weekend's League Cup exit.

David Gray is Hibs' second appointment since Lee Johnson was sacked after losing his first three league games last term and while the former captain is in no such danger he could really do with a win to lift confidence.

The good news is Hibs have only lost one of their last 15 top-flight meetings with Dundee (W8 D6). The bad news is Gray was in interim charge for that defeat in May 2022 - and the Dark Blues are currently in fine fettle - unbeaten in seven so far this term, with six wins.

"I can't keep on picking the same players that make the same mistakes all the time," said an exasperated Gray after the League Cup loss at Celtic, so it will be interesting to see what changes are made.

The Hibs boss was a ferocious competitor as a player and is trying to rid his team of a long-held reputation for being soft touches.

Gray will also be keeping a close eye on Dundee skipper Luke McCowan, reportedly the subject of several offers from the Edinburgh club.