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."
St Johnstone's Scottish Premiership survival hopes were give a significant boost after a deserved 1-0 victory over Ross County.
Makenzie Kirk's close-range finish, smashing in after a Stephen Duke-McKenna effort was parried by Jordan Amissah, moves Simo Valakari's side to within three points of second bottom Dundee with 10 games of the season to play.
County travelled to Perth with a record of four wins from their previous five away league games, but it was the hosts who had the better of a competitive first half.
St Johnstone created several good goalscoring opportunities but were foiled on each occasion by an inspired Jordan Amissah in the County goal.
Amissah produced a wonderful diving save to tip a Stephen Duke-McKenna free-kick around a post early on.
And he bettered that stop as the interval approached, showing great reactions to somehow keep a Sam Curtis diving header out.
The keeper was also called into action to deny Kirk and Jonathan Svedberg.
County made a better start to the second with Connor Randall fizzing a shot just wide before Elijah Campbell headed straight at Andy Fisher from a couple of yards.
Kirk's goal ended that momentum and St Johnstone almost doubled their advantage, when Duke-McKenna fired just wide.
At the other end Fisher got down well to hold a Nohan Kenneh shot as St Johnstone saw the game out to secure a crucial three points.
St Johnstone survival hopes boosted
This feels like a big few days for St Johnstone in terms of their hopes of avoiding automatic relegation.
A healthy haul of points from their home date with County, and their massive trip to face second bottom Dundee, appeared a pre-requisite with regards to their aim of trying to dodge the dreaded drop. And they have achieved the first part of that.
After back-to-back defeats, the victory over County will have everybody at McDiarmid Park feeling a bit better about themselves.
Valakari's side remain bottom of the table and they still have plenty of work to do, but if they can back this victory up with another at Dens Park on Sunday, the Perth side will definitely believe they can pull off a relegation great escape.
County must tread carefully
This result is a reminder to County that they still have work to do in order to keep themselves clear of trouble.
Their form of late – particularly away from home – has been excellent, and has rightly had fans dreaming of the top six.
For all of that, though, they remain worryingly close to the relegation play-off spot.
You do get a sense they will be fine, and they have shown enough in recent times to suggest that they have enough quality to banish any concerns.
But until they have the points in the bag to ensure that is the case, County will have to tread carefully over the next few weeks.
What they said
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari: "It was a big win. This match was our most must-win game for our hopes for the rest of the season.
"I'm most happy with how the players performed in this high-pressure game.
"We kept our heads, we were well-balanced in transition and defended when we needed to. To win the game in this circumstances, I'm very happy."
Ross County manager Don Cowie: "I'm really disappointed on the back of two really good performances and victories. We got what we deserved out of the match.
"St Johnstone winning gives them momentum - it narrows the gap but we're not going to get caught up on one result, one performance.
"We're really disappointed and frustrated but we've only got a couple of days before another really important game so we need to get back to what we've done."
St. Johnstone are unbeaten in five league meetings with Ross County, winning three of those (D2), which is as many as their previous 18 games against the Staggies in the Scottish Premiership beforehand (W3 D10 L5).
Ross County lost 3-0 away to St. Johnstone in October of this season, but have never suffered successive away defeats to the Saints in the top-flight before.
St. Johnstone have won just one of their last nine midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) games in the Scottish Premiership (D4 L4), a 2-0 win at Aberdeen in February 2024.
Ross County have won four of their last five away league games (L1), as many as their previous 41 beforehand (W4 D11 L26).
St. Johnstone’s Nicky Clark has scored nine goals against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, the joint-most any player has against the Staggies in the top-flight (Kris Boyd also 9).