McCowan to haunt Dundee, more Valakari magic & nightmare on Pittodrie St?

A full midweek card in the Scottish Premiership, but one fixture stands out from the six gracing the pre-Halloween Wednesday floodlights.

It is not like matches between Aberdeen and Rangers need much to liven them up, but the seasoning on offer this time is decidedly more gunpowder than pumpkin spice.

In front of the TV cameras will be played out what, in all likelihood, could be a season-defining match – even this early in the competition - as reigning champions Celtic look to take advantage as they host Dundee.

Here's some of what to look out for across the six games:

Game of midweek: Aberdeen v Rangers

Considering Aberdeen survived what was seen as the first major test of Jimmy Thelin's buoyant new era by coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Celtic Park, they will no doubt go into a home game against a struggling Rangers with growing belief that they can at the very least split the Old Firm at the top of the table this season.

Brendan Rodgers' reigning champions are the only side to have denied the Swede's side a victory in 15 outings this season - and nine of the victories, including Sunday's 1-0 win over Dundee United, have come in front of their home fans as Pittodrie grows into a graveyard for visiting sides once more.

A 3-1 defeat at home to a less intimidating Aberdeen last September was a contributing factor to Michael Beale's demise as Rangers manager and the Ibrox side have failed to win in their latest two visits.

Current Ibrox boss Philippe Clement arrives with grumbles among the fan base growing over his own position just over a year since the Belgian took charge.

Rangers recovered from their insipid 1-0 defeat in Kilmarnock with a convincing 4-0 dismissal of FCSB in the Europa League, but they then laboured to a 2-1 Sunday win over St Mirren.

Those wins were both at Ibrox. Away from Govan, Clement's side have only won twice is six outings this season and, in the Premiership, have taken all three points just twice in nine outings - one in their latest six.

At least he knows how to beat Aberdeen, albeit winning their latest two meetings came before they came under Thelin's spell - and, again, those were at home.

Clement left Pittodrie with a 1-1 draw on his only visit there almost exactly a year ago, but would a repeat be enough to take the pressure off the former Club Bruges boss considering it would leave them still six points behind the Dons and probably more adrift of Celtic?

While recent form favours a Dons side who are only being denied top spot courtesy of Celtic's superior goal difference, at least history is on Rangers' side.

They have lost just once in their latest 13 visits - in April 2023 - winning six of them and, overall, have only lost twice in their latest 24 meetings.

Clement spooked many by dropping captain James Tavernier to the bench on Sunday.

Whether it was designed to give the right-back a pre-Halloween fright or save him for Pittodrie, a return for the Englishman seems likely considering he his 13 goals against Aberdeen is more than any player has against a single club since the Premiership was rebranded in 2013.

If a Pittodrie defeat is not to haunt another Ibrox manager, he and Rangers will have to dig deep into those traditions.

It might be nearly Halloween, but expect fireworks at Pittodrie.

Player to watch: Luke McCowan (Celtic)

Luke McCowan has had a measured start to his Celtic career after his deadline day switch from Dundee for a reported £1m.

However, an injury to captain Callum McGregor gave the 26-year-old midfielder his first league start for his new employers – and he did not disappoint.

McCowan, who revealed he has been using a mindset coach to get himself ready for games since long before his move to Celtic, bagged the opening goal against Motherwell on Sunday.

Manager Rodgers has hinted that McGregor could be fit enough for a midweek return, but McCowan may again get the chance to prove he belongs in the starting line-up as his former teammates arrive in the east end of Glasgow.

The Scot's upward trajectory has coincided with, and contributed to, a downward spiral for former manager Tony Docherty, with fan disquiet building after a run of one win in their latest eight outings, albeit that came in their own latest away trip to Motherwell.

Dundee have failed to beat Celtic in 43 meetings since a 2-0 win at Celtic Park in April 2001, losing their latest 10 in a row.

The last thing Docherty would want is for his former protege to put in another impressive performance to help continue that dismal run.

Manager to watch: Simo Valakari (St Johnstone)

Simo Valakari has arrived from the comparative wilderness of Latvian football with Riga waving a magic wand that has lifted the spirits at McDiarmid Park in his short spell as Craig Levein's successor.

The 51-year-old Finn will look to build on the resilient showing his side put up against Dundee on Saturday as he takes charge of another away trip - a battle of the Saints 24 hours before All Hallows Eve.

After work permit delays slowed down his appointment last week, the former Motherwell midfielder faces St Mirren in Paisley having just confirmed his backroom staff – former caretakers Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland – will remain in place.

Valakari's side showed a verve and energy in their second half that ultimately secured them a comeback victory at Dens Park.

Building on that – while trying to sort out St Johnstone's somewhat shaky defence – will be a priority against Stephen Robinson's usually robust hosts, who are unbeaten in their last nine home games against St Johnstone.