Scottish Cup semi-finals & Premiership build-up

1. Delayed 2019-20 Scottish Cup semi-final weekend - Hearts v Hibs (Sat), Celtic v Aberdeen (Sun)
2. Three Premiership matches across weekend
3. Championship and Leagues One & Two continue

Until the weekend then...

That's all from me this afternoon.

Join us this weekend for all the action from Hampden, with two absolutely cracking Scottish Cup semi-finals in prospect. I, like you, am gutted supporters can't get to any of them but BBC Scotland will ensure you don't miss a beat of the action.

There's also league business this weekend, including Premiership games with Dundee United hosting Ross County, and Livingston facing Motherwell - both of those are on Saturday. And Kilmarnock are at home to Rangers on Sunday lunchtime.

And also don't forget BBC Scotland are streaming games from the Scottish Women's Premier League this season. It's an 11am kick-off on Sunday morning with Hearts and Celtic going head-to-head.

Stay safe.

Will it be Celtic or Aberdeen who triumph on Sunday?

On Sunday is the second Scottish Cup semi-final. Who do you think will win that?

Give a thumbs up if you think Celtic will make it eight Hampden wins in a row against Aberdeen.

Give a thumb pointing south if you agree with Alex McLeish that "this could be Aberdeen's time" and believe Derek McInnes' side will do the business.

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Who will win the Edinburgh Derby?

Okay, it's prediction time. Who is going to triumph in Saturday's semi-final between Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian?

Give a thumbs up if Hearts are the team you think will win, and a thumb pointing south if you think Hibs will be the victors.

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'Hearts put me out of the cup so I'm getting a bye to the semis'

'Hearts put me out of the cup so I'm getting a bye to the semis'

Hibs the better team?

Former Hibernian manager John Collins says his old club are a better team than their Edinburgh rivals Hearts.

He told BBC Scotland's Sportsound: “Hearts have had a good start, but Hibs are a better team. Hearts have a good, well balanced squad. But what they haven’t had - which Hibs have had in the last few months – is real competitive games week in, week out.

“So Hibs are ahead in match fitness and they have goalscorers. Kevin Nisbet has been a terrific signing and hit the ground running.Christian Doidge brings something different – he’s excellent in the air, great at holding the ball up – and the main man is Martin Boyle.

“He has pace that lasts for 90 minutes. Some quick players tire but he has it from the first minute to last. He is the threat to Hearts, that’s for sure.”

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Martin Boyle is Hibs' "main man" says John Collins

Dumbarton and Airdrie venue switched

Does the quadruple treble still matter as much to Neil Lennon's side?

It has almost been lost amid the swirl of discontent over their stuttering form, but Celtic stand just two games from completing a domestic clean sweep for the fourth season running.

The quadruple treble would be uncharted territory and so are the circumstances, with Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen held over from last season.

But as Neil Lennon's side try to make history on two fronts in two separate campaigns, has the quest for a 10th successive league title become the only thing that matters to them?

Read more

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'Too early for Rangers to get carried away' - Gerrard

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is far too wary of Celtic to overthink his side's lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, even if they extend it to nine points this weekend.

While Neil Lennon's side take on Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday, earlier that day Rangers are away to Kilmarnock.

He said: "I don't think we really need to concern ourselves with psychological advantages and where the tables are and what we can do. There's three points available, we want the three points, we are hungry for the three points. It would be different if you had the opportunity to go there and be nine points clear with no games in hand.

"You are talking about Celtic here, in this instance, who are a good team, who are capable of going on big runs. We are still in October, it is very early days for us to be getting carried away or ahead of ourselves. We have started the season very well. We are happy where we are.

The Ibrox side are unbeaten in 17 games in all competitions so far this season, having won their last eight and keeping a clean sheet in the last five.

"We couldn't be in a better place really, because our form is good at the moment, people are healthy, fresh and ready," said Gerrard.

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Grivosti looking up after injury

Ross County defender Tom Grivosti is hoping to overcome a slight hamstring strain to face Dundee United after making his first start in a year following a troublesome foot injury.

The 21-year-old revealed this week that: "It got to the stage where I wondered if I would get back to the same level as I was.

"But I believed in myself that I could put the work in and I think I showed on Saturday that I’ve come back on a good level quite early on in my comeback."

Grivosti had not expected to make his return so early until injuries forced manager Stuart Kettlewell's hand and now he is keen to face up to Dundee United's Scotland striker, Lawrence Shankland.

"I played against Shankland a couple of times in the Championship, he was brilliant for Ayr United and I knew he could take the step up to the Premiership 100%," he recalled. "I made my debut against him, so that was a tough debut, but we won the game."

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Mellon accepts 'it is not the Dundee United we all want to see yet'

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon insists his side have worked hard to get to mid-table in the Premiership, but is looking for more. After 12 Premiership fixtures they sit in sixth place, a point above Ross County - their opponents on Saturday.

Mellon said: "I keep an eye on the league table. If Dundee United were offered that at the start of the season they would have bitten your hand off. We understand we want to keep getting better and better and that is exciting. I am pleased about that, we believe we can get better and better.

"Where we are at the minute, we have worked very hard to get there, but we are the first to say we want to improve and get better in all areas. There is an appetite to do that. We have to keep working hard, it is as basic as that.

"I understand that it is not the Dundee United that we all want to see yet, but we are working very hard to get there."

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Dundee United have had two consecutive 0-0 draws against Aberdeen and St Johnstone

Wembley showdown for Scots

At the same time as Celtic and Aberdeen kick-off at Hampden on Sunday, there will be five Scots involved in a big clash down at Wembley.

Everton meet Manchester City in the English Women's FA Cup final.

Everton are managed by Scotsman Willie Kirk, assisted by another Scot in Chris Roberts, and have Scotland internationals Lucy Graham and Claire Emslie in their team.

Manchester City also have Caroline Weir - who scored twice for Scotland last week against Albania - likely to start for them.

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Claire Emslie and Caroline Weir won the FA Cup together at Man City last year, but will be on opposite sides in this Sunday's final

County boss 'not pressing panic button'

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell believes the solution to his side's run of four Premiership games without a win is finding "a solution to those crazy moments" in defence and taking the chances they are creating up front.

"We missed three guilt-edged chances and I felt as if our demeanour changed and our body language changed and that’s a frustration," he said of last weekend's 4-0 defeat by Motherwell.

"But I’ve seen in the past how these guys can deliver and carve out results, so I am not going to sit here now and say they are mentally weak. There is no pushing the panic button."

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Ross County lost 4-0 to Motherwell last weekend

Edinburgh derby 'massive for the city' - Hanlon

Hibernian defender Paul Hanlon can't wait to take on Hearts in Saturday's Edinburgh derby.

He said: "It is a massive game and we need to play well to win it and showcase what we have done so far this season. I am excited for the game, one I have been looking forward to for a long time. It has always been in the back of our mind and it is here now.

"It is a massive for both clubs and the city and we want to come out on top."

Hanlon believes it will be a strange occasion with no fans inside Hampden, although he has recent experience of that when he made his Scotland debut against the Czech Republic at the national stadium.

He said: "There is no doubt that it is going to be a surreal experience being at Hampden, being involved in such a big game, obviously being a semi-final of our national cup, and an Edinburgh derby on top of that. It is going to be surreal not having fans there but it is something we have got used to over a number of weeks now.

"No matter where you go in the country, bigger stadiums, smaller stadiums, we are used to it. "We have adjusted well to it so far this season and we need to do it again."

Motherwell have 'incredible injury list' - Robinson

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson is trying to cope with a big injury list ahead of their trip to Livingston tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Trevor Carson is out until the new year after undergoing knee surgery.

His deputy, Scott Fox, is also injured, while Charles Dunne, Bevis Mugabi, Jake Carroll and Liam Donnelly are also in the midst of lengthy lay-offs. Robinson is also without Liam Grimshaw and Ricki Lamie again and will have a youthful bench with on-loan Lions midfielder Robbie Crawford is ineligible for Saturday's game.

Robinso said: "We have got an incredible injury list at the moment and, the worst thing is, they are injuries you can't control. I'm the first person to look at myself and my staff and what we are doing. We have a brilliant medical department and there is one muscle injury out of all the injuries. I think we have got six knee injuries, which are uncontrollable.

"You look at the pitches, you look at everything, and they are all being done in different areas, at different times. Even down to their boots, we are looking at."

Recent arrival Aaron Chapman made his debut in goal after Carson went off in Saturday's 4-0 win and he is expected to continue with Scotland international Jordon Archer on the bench after signing in midweek.

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Aaron Chapman is deputising for the the injured Trevor Carson

How well do you know the Edinburgh derby?

Test your knowledge of the Edinburgh derby by trying your hand at the BBC Scotland quiz.

I got a rather miserable 6 out of 10 so the bar hasn't been set very high.

Rangers 'toughest test this season' - Dyer

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer says facing Rangers is their toughest so far this season.

He said: ‘’Every game is tough, but they are sitting at the top of the tree because they are the best side up till now.

"In the league they have been brilliant. It’s up to us to work hard and do what we normally do and try to get a good result against them.’’

The club have had a number of positive covid tests this season, but Dyer says this week they have a clean bill of health.

Stewart to leave County?

Ross Stewart's future at Ross County hangs in the balance after manager Stuart Kettlewell revealed this week that the striker has so far not responded to the club's desire to talk about a contract extension.

The 24-year-old's current deal ends next summer and the striker has already attracted interest from English clubs without meeting County's valuation.

"We’d love to sign Ross on a longer-term contract, but we understand the interest and where he wants to go in the next phase of his career," Kettlewell said. "I’ve got a really good relationship with his agent and I’ve badgered him once or twice about getting him to sign a new contract.

"It will surprise people - Ross isn’t on a massive contract at all at Ross County. It would stun people probably the contract he’s on here. So money is not the object for Ross, but it also shows there are grounds there for us to improve it."

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Ross Stewart has scored four times this season

'Be all and end all' agree Scottish Cup semi-final derby bosses

Preparing for their Scottish Cup semi-final has been the main focus of their season so far, say the bosses of both Edinburgh sides.

Saturday's derby at Hampden is part of last season's delayed competition.

But Hibernian head coach Jack Ross has described it as the "be all and end all" for his side.

And Hearts manager Robbie Neilson explained that: "It was the reason we were back at training so early and had 10 or 11 pre-season games."

Hearts, relegated from the Scottish Premiership after the season was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic, felt they needed those friendlies to match the fitness of a top-flight side whose league season started two months before the second tier.

Read more

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Hearts boss Robbie Neilson and Hibernian manager Jack Ross

Queen's Park: What happens next for Scotland's oldest club?

Scottish League 2 side Queen's Park finally relinquished their amateur status last season. But what does the future hold for the venerable Glasgow club?

You can watch more like this on A View from the Terrace on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer at 22:30 GMT on Friday.

Queen's Park: What happens next for Scotland's oldest club?