Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes on BBC Radio Scotland: "We go into the game on the back of a couple of strong performances where the quality of the opposition required great commitment and organisation and the same applies today against St Johnstone.

"Whether they are on a good run or a poor run, it is always a difficult game."

McInnes explains the introduction of Stevie May and Scott Wright for Niall McGinn and Sam Cosgrove.

"Big Sam's suspension has opened the door up for Stevie to come in and in his last performance he got a standing ovation," he points out.

"It is no slight on Niall McGinn's performances. He has put so much work into the last couple of games and Scott can give us that extra energy."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson is the latest in Scottish football to call for video assistant referees.

"Referees need help, they're going to make mistakes it's as simple as that," he told BBC Scotland.

"Make them full-time, let's invest in the game up here, it's getting bigger and bigger and people's livelihoods are on the line - it has to happen."

On making four changes for today's match at Hearts: "Three of them are enforced on me but I always thought it was needed after games against Celtic when we've been caught on the hop and looked a bit leggy.

"The result midweek [a 1-1 draw with Celtic] means we come here in a positive frame of mind."

Image source, SNS

There were plenty of talking points in the midweek Premiership matches including a disputed penalty for St Johnstone in their draw with Hearts and a disallowed goal for Celtic in their draw with Motherwell.

Arbroath are away to fourth-placed Forfar Athletic in an Angus derby as they look to maintain their 10-point lead at the top of League One.

They will hope that Angus neighbours Montrose also do them a favour as they host second-top Raith Rovers.

Colin McMenamin will be hoping for his first win as Stenhousemuir manager as his side visit second bottom Brechin City and cannot really afford a defeat with the hosts already four points clear.

League Two leaders Edinburgh City are away to fourth-placed Annan Athletic, while chasers Peterhead visit Berwick Rangers.

League One (all 15:00):

Brechin City v Stenhousemuir

Dumbarton v Airdrieonians

East Fife v Stranraer

Forfar Athletic v Arbroath

Montrose v Raith Rovers

League Two (all 15:00):

Annan Athletic v Edinburgh City

Berwick Rangers v Peterhead

Cowdenbeath v Clyde

Elgin City v Albion Rovers

Queen's Park v Stirling Albion

After Ayr United's match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle last night was postponed because of strong winds, there are four games in the Scotttish Championship today.

Ross County can take over from Ayr at the top by a point if they win at home to Queen of the South.

Partick Thistle can move off the bottom should they beat Dunfermline Athletic at Firhill as the two sides above, Falkirk and Alloa Athletic, are playing each other.

Championship (all 15:00):

Falkirk v Alloa Athletic

Greenock Morton v Dundee United

Partick Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic

Ross County v Queen of the South

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone have been boosted by the news that manager Tommy Wright has signed a new contract to stay at McDiarmid Park until 2022. He has been in charge since 2013 and won the Scottish Cup with the Perth side the following year.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke has been explaining the absence of centre-half Kirk Broadfoot and keeping his feet on the ground despite his side's lofty position.

"It just feels like it always feels," he says about visiting the reigning champions. "We come here as we have been before and look forward to the challenge

"The fact that we have gone four games without defeat is irrelevant, it is a different game.

"Kirk got a knock on the head on Wednesday night and concussion protocol says it would be crazy for us to play him today.

"It is nice we have come a long way in a short place in time, but it remains to be seen how long we can keep it going.

"It is obviously pleasing when your club is doing well. The other aspect is that I get a lot of praise, which doesn't sit comfortably with me.

"Every time we play against one of the bigger clubs, especially away from home, you expect them to take the game by the scruff of the neck and hopefully we can deal with that again."

Image source, SNS

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at the Tony Macaroni Arena

Ryan Hardie makes his first start this season after recovering from a long-term injury. The on-loan Rangers striker should beef up Livingston’s attacking options after being a key man in their promotion from the Championship. Midfielder Keaghan Jacobs also comes back into the starting XI after being rested in the defeat by Kilmarnock. Steve Lawson and Nicky Cadden drop to the bench.

As for St Mirren, injuries to Kyle Magennis (hamstring) and Danny Mullen (ankle) mean they need replaced. Defender Jack Baird is in, as is Simeon Jackson up front.

Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

You would struggle to find anyone - except perhaps Kilmarnock director Billy Bowie - who might have dared to have predicted that come December 2018 Kilmarnock would be looking down from top spot in the Premiership on Celtic et al. And yet here we are.

The Kilmarnock fairytale has been incredible to watch. From bottom of the table to top spot, the Steve Clarke revolution has been nothing short of remarkable. What other manager has had such an impact on a club?

And yet despite the fact Kilmarnock under Clarke are unbeaten against Celtic the bookies still think the chance of an away win today to be unlikely. And as for Kilmarnock ‘doing a Leicester’? You’re looking at long odds for that one.

Given Clarke’s record against Rodgers’ Celtic you would not expect much of a different approach from the away side this afternoon - keep it tight and compact at the back and counter attack. The big question is will Celtic alter their approach in any way, or just aim to muster that little bit extra this time round?

Whatever happens, today’s top of the table match promises to be a fascinating watch.

Celtic were pegged back at Motherwell in midweek.

Watch the goals that put Kilmarnock top of the league on Wednesday.

Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

I would argue Kilmarnock winning the league would be better than Leicester. Their budget is about 10th of the 12 teams – they have no right to be where they are.

It’s December, they’re no flash in the pan. They’re up there by rights. They’re top. They hadn’t won a game after seven games when Stevie Clarke came in last season.

Celtic have been so far ahead of everyone for so long. He’s played them four times and they haven’t lost yet – two wins and two draws. They’ve got some good players, some Scotland internationals, but it’s an extraordinary thing.

I don't think they'll win the league. We were third and fourth when I was at Kilmarnock. They've had good times.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells BBC Scotland that Kieran Tierney misses out today with a groin problem but should be okay for Thursday's Europa League game against Salzburg.

"Today is very important for us, but if he is only at 50%, it is very difficult for him," he says.

"We obviously have to look after him as a young player and hopefully he will be okay for next Thursday."

Rodgers is hopeful that he can engineer a first win in four games against Steve Clarke's Kilmarnock.

"The pitch looks beautiful, the pitch is lit up and hopefully it should be a very good game," he says.

"It will be a difficult game against a good counter-attacking team.

"I have huge admiration for what Steve has done at Kilmarnock, but we get the chance to go a point clear of them with two games in hand.

"Away against Kilmarnock has been difficult for us on the Astroturf pitch. At home, we have taken the lead but just not been able to get the job done. I am looking forward to the game."

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers makes six changes after the midweek draw at Motherwell.

Kieran Tierney is resting a minor groin issue, while Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham, Leigh Griffiths, Jonny Hayes and Cristian Gamboa drop to the bench.

Emilio Izaguirre gets a run out at left-back, while Mikael Lustig, Tom Rogic, James Forrest, Scott Sinclair and Odsonne Edouard return.

Stuart Findlay, Rory McKenzie and Aaron Tshibola are in for league leaders Kilmarnock.

Eammon Brophy and Chris Burke have to make do with places among the substitutes and Kirk Broadfoot picked up an injury during Wednesday's 2-0 win over Livingston.

Celtic: Gordon, Lustig, Simunovic, Benkovic, Izaguirre, McGregor, Rogic, Christie, Forrest, Sinclair, Edouard.

Substitutes: Bain, Hendry, Brown, Griffiths, Gamboa, Hayes, Ntcham.

Kilmarnock: Bachmann, O'Donnell, S Boyd, Findlay, Taylor, McKenzie, Dicker, Tshibola, Power, Jones, Stewart.

Substitutes: MacDonald, K Boyd, Brophy, Waters, Millen, Burke, Ndjoli.

One of Celtic and Kilmarnock will be top come close of play today.

Reigning champions Celtic are a point off current Premiership leaders Kilmarnock, who have played a game more than second-placed Rangers and two more than Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.

Steve Clarke is yet to taste defeat against Celtic as Killie boss and his side have taken 64 points in total during 2018 so far – that’s three more than Celtic, again with the caveat that Celtic have two games in hand.

Image source, SNS

Northern Ireland winger Niall McGinn drops to the bench as Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes makes two changes from the side that beat Rangers 1-0 on Wednesday.

The other change is forced, with striker Sam Cosgrove suspended after his red card at Ibrox.

Forwards Stevie May and Scott Wright come into the starting line-up.

Image source, SNS

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright makes one change, with Ross Callachan replacing Blair Alston, who drops to the bench despite scoring his side's opening goal in a 2-2 draw with Hearts, in midfield.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen won away to Rangers on Wednesday.

St Johnstone claimed a draw with Hearts in midweek.

Aberdeen:Lewis, Logan, Considine, McKenna, Lowe, Ferguson, Ball, Shinnie, Wright, May, McLennan.

Substitutes:Cerny, Forrester, Gleeson, Wilson, McGinn, Campbell, Anderson.

St Johnstone:Clark, Foster, Shaughnessy, Kerr, Tanser, Callachan, Davidson, Craig, Wotherspoon, Kennedy, Watt.

Substitutes:Hurst, Alston, Kane, McMillan, Nydam, Scougall, Gordon.