Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at SMISA Stadium

There's some tempo here in Paisley with both sides having a glaring chance in the opening five minutes.

It's absolutely relentless. No dilly-dallying on the ball so far.

It's attack, attack, attack.

Bright start at Easter Road from both teams. Hibs' Josh Mulligan has a shot from distance deflected wide.

The better option was to slide in Chris Cadden who had made a brilliant run into the box.

It's end-to-end already in Paisley.

On-loan Bologna forward Jesper Karlsson beats goalkeeper Shamal George to a through ball and cuts it from byeline into the path of Adil Aouchiche, but the midfielder on loan from Sunderland fires a few feet over the crossbar.

Aberdeen are immediately sloppy in defence as they concede a corner.

When it comes across, visiting striker Kevin Nisbet has to make his mark in defence, clearing off the line following a low drive from Keanu Baccus.

Tawanda Maswanhise wins the ball high up the pitch and it breaks to Elijah Just. He plays in Callum Hendry, who takes a touch and then fluffs his shot.

His marker had slipped, and the Motherwell striker probably had more time than he realised.

Still not started at Ibrox. Hurry it up, guys.

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Charlotte Cohen
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

They kicked off bang on three o'clock and the first thing Falkirk do is lump the ball out for a throw-in. Bit rusty after the international break?

Both managers seemed pretty upbeat before kick-off, clearly buzzing to get back into league action.

Off on time at Fir Park. The others won't be long...

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin hopes to build on the demolition of Dundee last time out for his bottom-placed side.

"It was good for us to get some confidence into the team and it is important to get another good performance and good result," he tells BBC Scotland.

"Even when we were not winning, we felt we were going in the right direction and it was a little bit better every week.

"We had some really tough setbacks, but the character of the players was really strong and the energy was there. We know we have to better in some parts, but the belief is there."

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St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson admits that goalkeeper Shamal George and defender Richard King "were touch and go" through illness.

"Shamal did not train yesterday but woke up good today, but Kingie is not up to start but gives us options from the bench," the manager tells BBC Scotland.

"It is a midfield that hasn't been beaten anytime it has started together, so that gives us a good base."

Former Bolton Wanderers forward Dan Nlundulu makes his first start.

"Dan's a very talented boy," Robinson says. "He is a fantastic finisher and he's one of those players who can make something out of nothing."

As for Aberdeen, he adds: "Two weeks ago against Kilmarnock was not us so we need to be better against an Aberdeen side who have spent a lot of money on good players."

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Livingston manager David Martindale tells BBC Scotland: "This is our sixth away game out of nine, and you need to look at it glass half full. We lost to Herats and Rangers at home with two last-minute goals.

"I'm frustrated at the points total but I'm fairly pleased with the performances and where we're at as a group.

"We're coming here to play our game. Not sit in a low or mid-block. But we respect our opponent because David [Gray] has done a fantastic job here."

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Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "It has to be a reset and it's an opportunity to really kick on now. We can't affect what's happened previously it's about moving forward and improving.

"I've seen a reaction but it's all well and good seeing it in training we need to make sure we go and get three points today.

"I've asked the players to play with an intensity and tempo right from the start today."

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Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "Well, I think it might have been a bit easier [to come to Rangers], shall I say, maybe two or three weeks ago, to be honest with you.

"I think the atmosphere in the stadium, had we come here a couple of weeks ago, would have been a lot different to what it's going to be this afternoon.

"I think the supporters have got what they wished for in terms of the manager being removed from his position.

"And look, it's a caretaker manager in Stevie Smith, but a very strong Rangers team, I think it's as strong an 11 with the players he has available to him that he could have picked.

"So we're under no illusions that this is not going to be an easy game, people may look at the league table and look at the recent form that Rangers have been in, but I do believe that they're in a false position.

"Obviously, we don't want to give them any encouragement.

"We want to be on the front foot ourselves, that's the way we've set the team up this afternoon, we've got real pace at the top end of the pitch, we want to try and exploit the Rangers back line with good service up to the front men, good balls beyond, good runs behind."

On his message to the Rangers players today, caretaker boss Steven Smith tells BBC Scotland: "Be brave, take responsibility. Trust the information given and execute the game plan.

"We all know it's been a challenging start, there's no hiding place at this club. [This is a] chance to kick on and gain momentum."

On clarity about his future, Smith adds: "It's day-by-day. Full focus has been on on Dundee United, they deserve that respect."

On his own emotions heading into this game, he says: "I'm good, normal. I do have the nerves, but that's normal for me."

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn tells BBC Scotland about his team news: "It's an enforced change. Sam's a natural left-back, but Leon's been holding that position and doing really well. He picked up an injury in a bounce game we had.

"Motherwell are a very good side and the manager has to be given a lot of plaudits for turning around their style around, for playing such an attractive style. We'll have to play very well to come out of here with three points.

"We took a lot of belief and confidence [from the draw with Rangers], we just have to get that consistency. The only game where we let ourselves down was against Hearts at Tynecastle. We're pleasantly comfortable with what we've got. We're very much in the mix."

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "Eli Just is back, having missed him for about a month. He's looked really good this week, he's been a very important player for us.

"Callum Hendry is also back from injury. AP [Stamatelopoulos] had a little issue after the Celtic game, he's not trained that much.

"We're growing in confidence every week. There's been a lot of positives in our performances. We want to be more efficient and win more games, and hopefully it pays off today.

"We're playing a team that has had a lot of time together, with a manager who plays some wonderful football. They made it really difficult against Rangers in the last game."

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Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at SMISA Stadium

The big carrot for Aberdeen here is that they are guaranteed to vacate bottom of the Premiership if they win today.

That would require back-to-back league wins which haven't flowed but they will be buoyed by the emphatic win over Dundee.

The problem is St Mirren are a very tough nut to crack. They're off a defeat but have shown real promise once again this term.

They welcome back a host of key players to bolster their backline and midfield.

Special mention for Alex Gogic who makes his 150th appearance for St Mirren.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road

It’s ‘Hibs kids’ day at Easter Road and David Gray is certainly hoping his players can put on a show that will excite the young fans this afternoon.

It’s staggering that they haven’t won at home since early May and that is a trend they must end soon if they are to push towards the top end of the table.

Livingston boss David Martindale seems content with their performances despite the lack of victories and it looks as if they will go toe-to-toe with their hosts.

These two have not been drawn in either of the cups since they were last top flight rivals 15 years ago.

Falkirk were 1-0 winners at Fir Park in April 2010 and Scott Arfield, on the bench today, was in the Bairns XI that day.

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