Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

I wonder if the Rangers fans are on the BBC Sport Scotland website, or listening to the BBC Radio Scotland commentary from Fir Park. It's strangely quiet around Ibrox now.

Maybe they have heard that Daizen Maeda has scored for Celtic inside the first minute, extending the best goal-scoring streak of the Japan forward's time in Scotland?

Martin Dowden
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

It's been an incredible start from Celtic and I don't think Motherwell touched the ball before Daizen Maeda finished that.

What must Motherwell players be thinking right now? It's been a really testing week after the loss of their manager and this was exactly what they wanted to avoid.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

As you'd expect after such a successful week in Europe, the home fans are here in good numbers, expecting a home win.

There's a wee tiny band of Staggies supporters wedged in between the Broomloan and Sandy Jardine stands.

We're off at Fir Park...and now Ibrox too.

Martin Dowden
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

Stuart Kettlewell's resignation was a shock to most people, not least the players that will run out here.

Motherwell face the sternest of tests without the best preparation to say the least.

Celtic welcome back some of their big guns, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda back in and will hope Adam Idah kicks on from his display against Aston Villa now Kyogo has left.

With Callum McGregor appearing for the 500th time, they'll want to put on a show and retain their big margin at the top.

Of course, the downside for County is that Saturday's win for Kilmarnock over Dundee United has lifted the Ayrshire side above Don Cowie's side, who are now second bottom, just five ahead of a St Johnstone side who beat St Mirren.

It's all very tight in the relegation zone.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

County head to Ibrox looking for their first-ever win here. A tall order given the aggregate score in the two previous encounters this season is 9-0 in the hosts' favour.

That said, County's form has picked up considerably, to the point where they've only lost once in their last six Premiership matches - and that was to runaway league leaders Celtic. They've also won each of their last three away league matches. They couldn't, could they..?

Despite the abuse former manager Stuart Kettlewell received before his resignation, Motherwell are unbeaten in their last four home league games - their longest such run within a single season since they went five unbeaten in January 2022.

Celtic's 4-2 loss away to Aston Villa ended their latest six-game run without a loss and, despite performing well in Europe and their 10-point Premiership lead, they have only won once in their latest six away games.

They have conceded seven goals in their last three away league outings, more than the six they lost in their previous 13 beforehand.

Rangers have won six in a row at Ibrox, scoring 16 goals in the latest five, and 13 unbeaten since Lyon's Europa League visit and have not lost at home to domestic opposition this season.

County are three without a win, but they were all at home and they have won their latest three on the road.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

There should be a decent feel-good factor about Ibrox this afternoon, given the side has just proved themselves to be one of the best eight teams in the Europa League.

Add to that the fact they've only lost once in their last 10 matches - and that was against Manchester United at Old Trafford - and you can see why manager Philippe Clement feels they're on a bit of a roll at the moment.

Motherwell are without a win in 33 meetings with Celtic in all competitions, losing 28 of them, since a 2-1 league victory at Celtic Park in December 2015.

Celtic remain unbeaten in their latest 19 visits to Fir Park, winning 15 of them - the latest 10 in a row by an aggregate score of 33-6.

They last lost at Fir Park in April 2013 - their second in succession.

Rangers have won each of their last 10 home games against County, by an aggregate score of 34-6, since a 1-1 draw in February 2017.

County's 3-2 win in Dingwall in April was their first over Rangers in 27 attempts and they have since lost home and away, losing nine goals without scoring.

Ross County manager Don Cowie tells BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "Rangers have got the best home record in the country. We know the challenge that we face.

"We're in good form. One defeat in six, three wins on the trot away from home. You have to believe, that's why we are here. We'll give it our best shot."

Cowie was also asked about transfer business.

"We're pretty content," Cowie adds. "Going into tomorrow, we're in a really healthy place."

Image source, SNS

Stephen Frail is the main man in the Well dugout this afternoon after Stuart Kettlewell's shock departure earlier this week.

"I'm not going to lie, it's been tough, but you have these things in football sometimes," the caretaker manager tells BBC Sportsound.

"Now we have to pick up the players for what will be a tough time between now and the end of the season. They were shocked, but we hope we've done enough to galvanise them.

"He made a brave decision in my opinion. He wrestled with it for a while. He's made the decision and he believes it's the right one.

"It's now about trying to galvanise the fans. The players on the pitch have to give them something to get excited about."

Of all the many transfers in Scotland this week, it is probably Jota's return to Celtic that will be most keenly anticipated by neutral observers.

The 25-year-old Portuguese lit up the Premiership during his first two seasons with Celtic after arriving from Benfica but was unable to live up to his £25m price tag during a miserable time with both Al-Ittihad and Rennes since leaving Glasgow in summer 2023.

Now he is back with the Scottish champions, where he will compete with in-form Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda for a place on the wings but starts on the bench today.

Jota has scored twice previously against Motherwell by the way.

Image source, SNS

Six goals in five games have turned Cyriel Dessers from a figure of fun for some, and frustration to others, into a reborn goalscoring hero.

The 30-year-old Nigeria striker has put behind him a seven-game spell without a goal and, in addition to a Scottish Cup hat-trick and lauded Europa League strike at Old Trafford, has found the net in two Premiership games in a row.

Slot another against County and he will have scored in three successive appearances in the competition for the first time since arriving from Cremonese in 2023.

Image source, SNS

Rangers have scored nine without reply over their two meetings with County so far this season, but manager Philippe Clement is quick to point out that Don Cowie's side have won on the road in their past three away games against Aberdeen, Dundee and Kilmarnock - three grounds where the Ibrox side have dropped points this season.

"They will come with a lot of belief here in Ibrox and we need to start directly on the front foot to make the difference and to show that this is not the place where they can get points," Clement adds.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says: "Motherwell will come out and be motivated after a difficult week.

"After Champions League games, in the main, we've done very well. We came here after drawing 0-0 with Atalanta and played very well.

"I expect a tough game, but I expect us to bring our level."

Brendan Rodgers has been waxing lyrical about captain Callum McGregor's 500th Celtic appearance.

"When I came in, Callum McGregor was a young player who was looking to really establish himself in the team," the Celtic manager tells BBC Scotland.

"It was about developing the personality. Personality and mentality are the two biggest traits to develop at Celtic.

"It was really about inspiring him and trying to motivate him to play with belief. I virtually played him in every position because of his ability. He has just continued to grow and grow.

"He's a real example of what it takes to play for Celtic. All young players at Celtic have the best example you could have in Callum McGregor.

"Young players have to be patient. You're at a massive Champions League club. The pathway for any young player is here."