Long range efforts are in-vogue at the moment it seems. Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland chests down a long ball from Mark Reynolds, and has the space to run forward but instead elects to thump it from a long way out... and fires it well over the bar.

A minute later and Marc McNulty has a long range strike too, which also doesn't trouble the St Johnstone goalkeeper.

Regan Charles-Cook dragged an effort wide for Ross County earlier and now Allan Campbell sends a shot swerving off target at the other end.

A busy start from both teams at Fir Park.

Marc McNulty goes close to his first Dundee United goal on his first start, firing over the bar from inside the box.

Joe Newell uses his chest to take down a headed clearance on the edge of the penalty area and the Hibs midfielder smacks in a half-volley that ripples the side-netting.

We're under way across the country...

Hibs manager Jack Ross says he is totally opposed to any talk of penalties for teams hit by Covid outbreaks unless it can be shown there has been a "blatant disregard" for the protocols.

"I would much rather be playing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at the end of the season than having teams forfeit points," he tells BBC Sportsound.

Ross county manager and father for a fourth time Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "My missus and the wee one have managed to settle well.

"We're playing against the team that finished third in the division last season.

"We're definitely second favourites. That's a situation we relish and that's a situation we enjoy."

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "It's nice to get it to come round. It's been a long wait to get a game and very difficult to replicate match situations in training.

"It's a real positive place at the moment. We believe that certain players are starting to find form in the forward areas and we're hoping to see that today.

Image source, SNS

Hibernian manager Jack Ross: "By and large, performances have been good.

"Kyle Magennis has been out for a good chunk of the year, so it's an opportunity for Stevie Mallan who has had to be patient this season.

"We managed to win the first game of the season against Kilmarnock but it was a tough game.

"It is a different game on this surface, there's no doubt about it. In fairness to Kilmarnock, this is a good pitch. We have facilities to train on an artificial park and there's a whole generation that have grown up with them now."

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer has been giving his reaction to the SPFL charging the club for allegedly breaking Covid-19 protocols.

“I know we haven’t done anything wrong. We’ve been honest with what we do. Since we came back on 15 June we have followed all the protocols," Dyer tells BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

“It’s a pandemic that’s out there and everyone is getting it. So I don’t know what the authorities think they have to show some blame.

Image source, SNS

"It’s frustrating – they should be defending us because we’ve done the right things. But they seem to want to show some blame somewhere.

"Every club is going to go do down with something. They have a duty to look after the clubs as well, it’s a two-way thing. It’s their right to investigate to only do it properly and come out with the right decision, which isn’t to take it to the next level when we’ve done the best we can. We’ll prove ourselves, no doubt about it."

Dundee United assistant manager Stephen Frail tells BBC Scotland: "It's another exciting game for us.

"We need to maybe get more sustained pressure up. We've got three quality players up front. We're excited to have the level of player in Marc McNulty and have him alongside Lawrence Shankland. If we can get chances created for those three I'm sure we'll score some goals.

"Callum Butcher - we've been trying to manage him all week but the game is too early for him, and Peter Pawlett picked up a wee strain in training on Thursday."

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

The Steelmen haven’t had a game since their defeat at home to Rangers at the end of September. Ross County have played four times since then!

The Staggies give a first start since the end of 2019 to defender Tom Grivosti who is back after a foot injury. Devante Cole makes his first appearance since re-joining Motherwell.

County manager Stuart Kettlewell is the father of a new baby son born during the week. Both the baby and his wife are healthy and well...

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson tells BBC Scotland: "We've made one change today. Ali McCann has been excellent all season but he's been away for international duty, he's a young lad, he's had a real physical tough time, and Craig Bryson has looked good in training. It's great for me I can bring someone like Bryson in.

"It'd be nice for the centre-halves to start chipping in from set-plays, but it's important we get the first goal today."

Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound