Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Tannadice

The Dundee United fans are in dreamland this season and they have a manager, Jim Goodwin, who has answered all his critics in some fashion. They have been a breath of fresh air this campaign and he has instilled a ‘never say die’ attitude into his squad.

And if he can persuade striker Sam Dalby his long-term future is at Tannadice then he will endear himself even more to the United faithful.

A win today for United would be their fourth top-flight victory in a row, a feat they haven’t been able to achieve since December 2013.

Its been 744 days since Craig Gordon suffered what everyone thought would be a career-ending injury but the 42-year-old has a resilience few others possess and his two incredible late saves against Motherwell last week was another indication he is far from finished.

Hearts have picked up just five points on the road this season, the lowest tally of any club in the Premiership. Something they simply must address in 2025.

Image source, SNS

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

The Motherwell management team might need to be careful. That's a few times they've had a right go at the fourth official after decisions have gone against some of their players.

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland at McDiarmid Park

I'm wrapped up like the Michelin man and Tony Docherty is kicking about in a light, long-sleeve polo.

It's bitterly cauld up here in Perth, I have a thermal jacket wrapped around my legs, Allan Preston's heater blasting beside me and I still have no feeling in the feet.

As long as the players down there do, that's all that matters as it's a big one today for both.

A win for St Johnstone and Dundee are reeled into the relegation conversation, while the depleted Dee could do with points on the board with the Old Firm to come next.

Image source, SNS

This game has sparked into life now.

Aston Oxbourough produces a great reflex save to slap away Nicky Devlin's header on the end of a corner.

Motherwell will be disappointed Devlin was allowed so much space in the box there.

St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari says his side "need to win today" as they aim to end a run of seven games without victory.

"We are believing," Valakari told BBC Scotland.

"I'm seeing it on the training ground, I think everyone saw in the last match how we fought, how we done a lot of ugly things to get the win. It didn't come, but we showed the character.

"There has never been a problem with attitude or character or desire, it's too many football mistakes which have cost us. Cut them out and then we have a chance.

"To be honest, we need these points today."

Image source, SNS

Kofi Balmer sets up for a long throw but opts to give it to Andy Halliday, who is free outside of the box.

The midfielder curls in a left-footed cross that drops in behind the Aberdeen defenders for Dan Casey to meet at the back post but his headers zips wide of the post.

A huge let-off for the Dons there.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley wants his side to pick up where they left off against Motherwell.

"We've not won back-to-back in the league this season and that's something we need to break and build consistency," he told BBC Scotland.

"Any win gives you belief and confidence, particularly the way we played. But if you forget the two minutes at Ross County we played pretty well in that one too.

"Here's a chance to take a step forward but this is a tough place to come to."

On new signing Jamie McCart, Critchley says: "He'll bring experience of this league, presence and extra height, and he's left footed as well so he brings balance to the backline."

The Hearts boss says he does not want to lose Kye Rowles and there is nothing to mention in terms of offers right now, but sometimes players moving on is "out of your hands".

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "Trying to get a bit of freshness in. Danny [Armstrong] gives us an attacking threat on the right. We feel Ross County play a lot of bodies centrally.

"We've brought [Cameon] Innes in for Bobby [Wales]. Bobby has started three games in a week and was, by his own admission, a bit leggy yesterday. It's understandable. Both him and Marley [Watkins] give us impact from the bench.

"As an opposition manager, it was always tough coming to Rugby Park. Every manager expects a tough game coming here and it pleases me that that's what they get.

"If we can get anything near the last three home games - clean sheets, different types of victory, with 10 men, swashbuckling and efficient - the I'll be more than happy."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell's first shot on goal comes from Tawanda Maswanhise, who also picked up a booking a few minutes ago.

He drives through the centre of the park but his shot from 20 yards flies straight into Ross Doohan's grasp.

Ross County manager Don Cowie tells BBC Scotland: "A lot was made of our away form and now we've won our last two. We need to take confidence from that but it's about realising we've got a difficult game today, at one of the toughest places to go in the league.

"They've got a great home record but we go in with real confidence on the back of the last three games.

"It's not about anyone else, just us. We concentrate on ourselves."

Image source, SNS

It's been a goal-less opening 17 minutes at Fir Park.

Image source, SNS

Graeme Shinnie wins the ball back with a thumping shoulder barge and promptly slides it forward for Aberdeen team-mate Duk in the final third.

He cuts in on his right and tries to shape it towards the far post but it's far too tame an attempt and Aston Oxborough gathers with ease.

County defenders Ryan Leak and Michee Efete both picked up injuries against Aberdeen, so it's no surprise to see them drop out of Don Cowie's starting XI.

They're replaced by Jack Grieves and George Harmon, hinting that one of James Brown or Connor Randall might drop into the back three.

On the bench, there's a rare appearance for Max Sheaf, while young goalkeeper Jayden Reid pads out the numbers.

Eli Campbell, Ross Laidlaw, Will Nightingale and Alex Samuel all miss out with long-term injuries while Aidan Denholm has returned to parent club Hearts.

Image source, SNS

Just the one change for Tony Docherty's depleted Dundee side from the team that went down in the derby to Dundee United.

Finlay Robertson picked up a knock, so, Scott Tiffoney is in for Dundee.

They're right short on the bench, too, naming just five outfield players in Perth.

Image source, SNS

Two changes to the St Johnstone side that drew with Hibernian.

Midfielder Jason Holt is suspended after seeing red in that game while teenager Fran Franczak drops to the bench.

Wales international Matt Smith and the experienced Graham Carey come into Simo Valakari's side.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland: "I think it's always key when you lose, we look at the bigger picture - 16 games won, two draws and one defeat so we're pleased with that start to the season.

"We take another step today into the second part of the season. The feeling doesn't change the facts that we've been good up until this point. We haven't spent too much time dwelling on it [the loss to Rangers].

"The game we lost was a great learning opportunity for us, I haven't seen a performance like that from us in a long time and now we have two home games to show the real Celtic.

"It's always a big day for the team, there's no extra pressure on Adam [Idah]. We make changes to keep the freshness, just because we lose a game I don't lose sight of the bigger picture.

"We need to play a really good game today to get the points."

Image source, SNS

Davor Zdravkovski picks up an early booking for a rather clumsy challenge in the middle of the park.

There was a brief VAR check for a possible red card, but it was soon over and done with.

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "It needs to be a very high level performance as we know but we just have to be better than what we showed [against Kilmarnock] and we're hoping for a response today.

"I don't think it'll be any different than what we expected. I don't think they need any extra motivation. We can control what we do but we need to be at our very best.

"We've played this system against Celtic a few times and caused them problems. We make changes to freshen it up, Alex Iacovitti has come back from a long-term injury, Oisin Smyth has been very good but we want fresh legs."

On Zach Hemming's return to St Mirren, Robinson adds: "I'm delighted. It happened quickly but my job is to make the team improve by small percentages and I believe Zach does that.

"We potentially have the option to do a longer term deal at the end of the season."

Image source, SNS

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

Both sides are looking for a reaction at Celtic Park today after stumbling into 2025 with poor performances.

Brendan Rodgers' side looked unrecognisable from the team that has ripped through the Premiership in the first half of the season as Celtic were thumped 3-0 by Rangers at Ibrox.

Stephen Robinson was furious at his side's lacklustre display at Rugby Park as St Mirren went down 2-0 to Kilmarnock.

The Buddies put Zach Hemming straight back between the sticks after his return on loan and you sense he will have to produce a big performance if the visitors are to take anything from this one.

Image source, SNS

Kevin Nisbet nudges the ball wide for Jack MacKenzie, who fizzes it into the area for the onrushing Graeme Shinnie.

The midfielder can only knock it wide of the post, though.

Pretty cagey opening five minutes or so at Fir Park.