GOAL Dundee United 1-0 Hibernianpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:54 GMT 26 February
Ross Graham
What a start for United. It comes from a throw in as Ross Graham works it well with Ryan Strain and then gets into the box. The ball comes in and a poor header from Rocky Bushiri lands at Graham.
The big centre half smashes it and the ball hits off Jack Iredale and loops into the net.
Warm welcome for Wimmerpublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:53 GMT 26 February
Motherwell 0-0 Dundee
Jane Lewis BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park
There's a healthy crowd for what is Michael Wimmer's first home match in charge of Motherwell. And he received a warm welcome when he walked out and took his place in the dugout.
Postpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:52 GMT 26 February
Kilmarnock v Rangers (20:00)
Two home defeats on the bounce did for Philippe Clement but the big reason for the yawning gap at the top of the table has been Rangers' ropey away form.
From 13 games on the road in the Premiership, Rangers have won a mere five.
Not
since February 2024 have they won three in a row away from Ibrox, which they can do with a positive result in Ayrshire this evening.
Postpublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:51 GMT 26 February
Kilmarnock v Rangers (20:00)
Kilmarnoch have won six of their past 10 home games against Rangers in the Premiership, with Marley Watkins grabbing a late goal to settle the last meeting in October.
Home form has been solid lately too, with five wins and a draw in their past seven at Rugby Park.
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Marley Watkins knocks in a late winner for Kilmarnock against Rangers
Wee delay at Tannadicepublished at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:50 GMT 26 February
Dundee United 0-0 Hibernian
Kheredine Idessane BBC Scotland at Tannadice
It's noisy and colourful at Tannadice. Green and white away to my left. Tangerine and black all around the rest of the stadium. Not too many empty seats at all.
This has the feel of a big game, and little wonder. Fourth v fifth with the winner, if there is one, going either third or fourth. There's a wee delay to kick-off, though, with referee David Dickinson having a quick chat with both managers. Under way now, however.
'I can't wait to get started' - Fergusonpublished at 19:49 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:49 GMT 26 February
Kilmarnock v Rangers (20:00)
Interim head coach Barry Ferguson is "excited and proud to be in this position" as he prepares to lead Rangers for the first time against Kilmarnock.
"I just can't wait to get started," he told BBC Scotland.
"We had a good day yesterday, going through what I expect of them and the way we'll go about our business tonight.
"The response I got yesterday was the one I wanted, but the proof will be in the pudding.
"It's been a hectic few days, but I've enjoyed the challenge."
On naming an unchanged side here at Rugby Park, he added: "This is a place that has always caused us problems, so we need to make sure that's not the case tonight. Our performance needs to be full with hunger and desire.
"There's a few tweaks to it. I'm more than confident this side will deliver us the three points tonight.
"I'm under no illusions, I know what this club is all about - it's built on winning games and being consistent, and that's been the issue with this team."
'You can't achieve anything if you're not good at home'published at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:48 GMT 26 February
Kilmarnock v Rangers (20:00)
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tried to downplay the added attention Barry Ferguson's arrival has brought to this game.
"Any time Rangers come here it's a big occasion," he told BBC Scotland.
"There is always a lot of focus on the game, but I think the narrative has added to all of that, but this was always going to be a big game in the context of our season.
"There's an importance of picking up points before the split, we have a set target which we think should give us the chance for the top six. A win tonight would certainly help us take a big step before that.
"You can't achieve anything if you're not good at home, it's massive. We're going to need to do so much right for that [the run against Rangers] to continue.
On Danny Armstrong's return he added: "Danny was a big part of our win against Rangers last time."
Spot the differencepublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:45 GMT 26 February
Dundee Utd v Hibernian (19:45)
Kheredine Idessane BBC Scotland at Tannadice
Hibs arrive in particularly fine fettle. Check these stats: in his first 14 league games this season, David Gray managed one victory. A win ratio of 7%, taking just nine of the available 42 points.
In the 13 Premiership matches since, he's led the side to eight victories, a win ratio of 62%, claiming 28 of the 39 points.
Football, eh? If Hibs maintain this momentum, they'll fancy their chances of finishing best of the rest, outside the big Glasgow two.
Goal threats everywherepublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:45 GMT 26 February
Hearts v St Mirren (19:45)
Brian McLauchlin BBC Scotland at Tynecastle
The pitch looks magnificent, as if it’s just been laid.
With games running out before the split and the battle for top six places in full flow, I fully expect this match to be end-to-end with goal chances aplenty.
With Hearts having Kabangu and Shankland, they should always have their eyes on the target, but Saints have Mandron, Ayunga and Olusanyo, so both defences will have to be on their toes.
Image source, SNS
Image caption,
Elton Kabangu has seven goals in six appearances for Hearts
Postpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:37 GMT 26 February
Hearts v St Mirren (19:45)
St Mirren must be feeling good after their first victory at Ibrox since 1991, but will be aware that they slumped to four straight defeats after beating Rangers in Paisley on Boxing Day.
Their record at Tynecastle is not great, with just two wins from the past 20 top flight visits.
Docherty out for 'a few weeks' - Goodwinpublished at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:34 GMT 26 February
Dundee United v Hibernian (19:45)
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "Ross Docherty is going to be out for a few weeks, we don't have a timeframe on that one. We had a positive result against Motherwell so there's no need to change too much, but we need a better performance.
"It's got the making of a really good game. It's a massive game for both clubs, there's a real battle on for top six. The outcome we want is to win and open up a bigger gap between ourselves and Hibs. But if we can take a draw tonight and keep it to three points it wouldn't be a disaster."
Goodwin also says it's a huge boost to have Craig Sibbald back after his groin operation, saying the midfielder feels as good as he has done in years, having played in pain for a while.
St Mirren can play 'without any pressure'published at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:33 GMT 26 February
Hearts v St Mirren (19:45)
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "We believed we could beat them [Rangers], we beat them a few weeks before that. You have to put the same level of performance in and we did that.
"The league is so tight, if you don't turn up, you're not at your best, or decisions go against you, you can lose the game. It's vital we pick up as many points as we can.
"Usually you can set targets but it's very hard to predict this year. We're the team without any pressure on us. We can enjoy it, play our way, we've got an identity. We play a lot better football than people give us credit for."
Hibs managing Bowie's game time - Graypublished at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February
19:32 GMT 26 February
Dundee United v Hibernian (19:45)
Hibernian head coach David Gray tells BBC Scotland: "Keiron Bowie has not played a lot recently so we're managing his minutes. Myko [Kuharevich] came on and did well [against Celtic] so he gets his start tonight.
"Other than that the boys played really well at the weekend but the challenge is can you replicate that level of performance. Dundee United are a very good side, they're where they are in the league for a reason.
"There's an extra incentive because we're playing the team above us and if we win we go above them. That's the focus."
Defender Dan Casey scored twice as Motherwell won for the first time in eight matches to beat freefalling Dundee on new boss Michael Wimmer's home debut.
The visitors' fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership defeat leaves them four points from safety and just three points off bottom spot.
Casey's first came after 12 minutes when he bulleted in a header from an Andy Halliday corner.
The Irishman was left completely unmarked in the box and should have added a near identical goal just a few minutes later from another set-piece.
Tony Docherty's side struggled to compete in the first half, but a change of formation allowed them greater control in the second period.
They equalised with 11 minutes to play when Simon Murray tapped in his 15th goal of the season, but the game was not level for long.
Motherwell restored their lead six minutes later with centre back Casey volleying in from Harry Paton's cross to complete an unlikely double.
When Stuart Kettlewell quit as Motherwell boss, he left his side in fifth place.
A tumultuous transition period then shifted focus from a potential European finish to league survival.
And had Wimmer's side lost against Dundee, they would have been just one point off the relegation play-off spot. Instead, they are within one victory of top six.
Not only does this win brings them closer to the top half than to that dreaded 11th spot, but the manner of the performance should revitalise both the players and the Fir Park fans.
Five games until the league splits, and three of those are at home for Motherwell.
Worrying times for struggling Dundee
Dundee are in trouble. They have been unlucky in some defeats recently but not in this one.
It took until Cameron's equaliser for the visitors register a shot on target and they never really looked to threaten Ellery Balcombe's goal.
There are goals in Dundee's attack - Murray has 15 this season and netted 23 last campaign; Lyall Cameron boasts 10 from midfield; and Seb Palmer-Holden has found the net nine times.
But providing service to these forward players seems to be the real issue.
With bottom club St Johnstone beating Ross County, Dundee must know they are in a relegation dogfight.
What they said
Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "I'm very proud of the guys.
"I think it was a brilliant first half. In the second half, we saw a little bit of a lack of energy and dropped too deep. But it was a fantastic win from everyone together."
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "I thought we should've got at least a point. The performance in the second half was good enough.
"We had numerous chances. We were, by a long shot, the better team in the second half. If we continue to put in that level of performance then we'll be okay."
Motherwell have lost both of their two previous league games against Dundee in 2024-25, this after only losing one of their previous 14 league matches against them beforehand (W9 D4).
Dundee’s 1-0 win in October ended a seven-game winless run away to Motherwell in the league (D3 L4) since winning back-to-back visits in 2016-17.
Motherwell have lost both of their last two home league games, last losing more on the spin in November 2022 (run of 4).
Dundee have lost each of their last five midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) away league games by an aggregate score of 22-3 since a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen in January 2024. The Dee’s last midweek away win in the Scottish Premiership was back in February 2022 at Hearts (2-1).
Dundee’s Lyall Cameron has scored five goals in his five Scottish Premiership appearances against Motherwell – the only opponent against which he has scored more than twice in the competition.
Tyrone Smith
