Ryan Hedges is down for a third time and it looks like Aberdeen are going to have to make a change in midfield because of that shoulder injury.

The first effort on goal comes from the hosts as Kristian Dennis slices a half volley from range, but it curls harmlessly wide of Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano's near post.

An uneventful opening to the game as Hibs enjoy the majority of possession early on, but they are yet to create a clear opening.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound

Ouch!published at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2021

18:09 GMT 2 February 2021

Aberdeen 0-1 Livingston

To add to Aberdeen's woes, midfielder Ryan Hedges is receiving treatment for a second time in a matter of minutes for a shoulder injury picked up in a challenge just before the goal.

It's been an untidy tussle so far and Livingston take the lead with the first delivery into the Dons penalty box.

Julien Serrano's cross to the near post is inexplicably fumbled into his own net by goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Not the lead you want from your captain.

Image source, BBC Sport

We are under way in Paisley and in Aberdeen...

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says Sam Cosgrove's move to Birmingham City has allowed them to "reinvigorate" their attack.

"Delighted to get Fraser [Hornby] in," he says.

"Since we've lost Marley [Watkins], we've not been as good as we'd want to be in that forward area. Sam [Cosgrove] was a catalyst for a lot of the changes, we've managed to free up some space and wages - and it allows us to make the changes that we did.

"Tough game again [tonight], the wind's getting up as well. On Saturday, I thought out-of-possession we were outstanding. We dealt with their threat. What we need to do better tonight is make more of the moments we have in the game. We had some good counter-attacking threats and we missed some brilliant chances, so hopefully we can finish off a lot of that good work tonight."

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Sportsound that the Paisley club missed out on signing a defender late last night.

"I was here to half past 12 last night trying to get one last defender," says Goodwin.

"It just didn’t work out. I'm pleased with the squad we've put together, but there's an obvious gap on the left side of defence.

"The board have backed me in every window and I think we are starting to see that come to fruition now. Some of the younger players are really stepping up to the plate."

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On why striker Kevin Nisbet is on the bench after a bid from Birmingham was turned down, head coach Jack Ross tells BBC Sportsound: "He’s focused on replicating the form he's been in and the fact he's not starting tonight is a reflection of how well the team played at the weekend.

"He’s in a good place and he’s fully aware that the only way he will attract that similar type of interest in the summer is by continuing to play well."

On reports suggesting Nisbet submitted a transfer request, Ross denies it before adding: "I think he was keen to explore an opportunity that may have been significant for him.

"I think we can all acknowledge that. You become emotional over that time. I was never going to be critical of him. It was a challenging few days for him as a young man."

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Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Pittodrie Stadium

After the sides contested a goalless draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Saturday, it is Aberdeen v Livingston part two at Pittodrie.

There is certainly plenty of intrigue surrounding this one, particularly from a Dons point of view after an eventful couple of days.

Derek McInnes has overhauled his frontline options - Sam Cosgrove, Scott Wright, Curtis Main and Bruce Anderson have all departed, with with deadline day signings Fraser Hornby, Florian Kamberi and Callum Hendry being brought in.

He will be hoping the changes provide some fresh attacking impetus as his side look to tighten their grip on third spot – and put the pressure on second-top Celtic.

The visitors have travelled north looking to continue their remarkable 13-game unbeaten run, so David Martindale’s team will certainly not be daunted by the challenge in the Granite City.

It goes to show what a couple of wins can do for you in the Scottish top flight.

St Mirren looked to be the relegation fight after five games without a win, but two fine away victories over Dundee United and Celtic and they have moved into the top six and are only seven behind fifth-top Livingston with two games in hand.

Hibs head coach Jack Ross greeted his own side's weekend win away to United with relief having described a run of one win in seven outings as probably his worst as a manager.

He will hope that it will reignite their top-four challenge and history is on their side as Hibs are unbeaten in nine outings against the Buddies, have won on their last four visits to Paisley and have beaten St Mirren twice already this season without conceding a goal.

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A few bets will no doubt have been placed on another draw between Aberdeen and Livingston after Saturday's 0-0 stalemate at Tony Macaroni Arena.

It means the Dons are now unbeaten against tonight's visitors in 14 meetings since April 2004 - and eight at Pittodrie, where they beat the West Lothian side 2-1 in August.

Livingston, meanwhile, are are on this unbeaten run since David Martindale took over as manager that now stretches to 13 games - and seven without a defeat away from home.

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After that goalless draw at home to tonight's hosts, David Martindale has decided to shake things up as he tries to go one better.

That game was the start of a gruelling run of fixtures during which Livingston play five times in 15 days, which may explain the logic behind their manager's decision to rotate.

Jackson Longridge replaces Ciaron Brown in defence. Craig Sibbald and captain Marvin Bartley drop out of midfield, with Steve Lawson and Josh Mullin handed starts.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the in-form Scott Robinson dropping out, with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas leading the line.

Hibs head coach Jack Ross names an unchanged side after the weekend's 2-0 win away to Dundee United.

That means there is still no place for striker Kevin Nisbet and centre-back Ryan Porteous.

Nisbet was subject to late transfer interest from Birmingham City - who reportedly had a bid worth £3m turned down by the Easter Road hierarchy - whereas Poerteous was also attracting interest south of the border from Championship club Millwall.

Missing the bench is Stevie Mallan, the midfielder having headed to Turkey on loan to Super Lig side Yeni Malatyaspor.

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Sportsound is about to start its coverage of tonight's games on BBC Radio Scotland MW and digital.

Joining host Kenny Macintyre are former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner, former Scotland striker Julie Fleeing, Partick Thistle full-back Richard Foster and former Aberdeen and Scotland defender Willie Miller.

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St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin makes four changes to his team despite that terrific win away to Celtic on Saturday.

Wide men Dylan Connolly and Kyle McAllister make way, along with midfielders Ethan Erhahon and Cammy MacPherson.

Eamonn Brophy comes into the side to partner Kristian Dennis up top as full-back Richard Tait and midfielders Ryan Flynn and Jake Doyle-Hayes return from the start.

Aberdeen had probably the busiest transfer deadline day.

So busy, in fact, that manager Derek McInnes sent assistant Tony Docherty to speak to the media yesterday as he scrambled to finish some surgery in his search for a goalscorer.

Sam Cosgrove was sold to Birmingham City and Curtis Main was shuttled off to Shrewsbury Town.

In came former Rangers and Hibs man Florian Kamberi from Swiss club St Gallen, Jack Hendry - who is on the bench tonight - from St Johnstone, and Fraser Hornby. The Scotland Under-21 forward joins on loan from French club Stade de Reims and makes his debut from the start tonight.

It's McInnes' only change to the side who drew 0-0 with Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Saturday. Winger Matty Kennedy drops to the bench.

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