The away side have started with intent here as Marc McNulty sees an effort gathered comfortably by Ross Laidlaw.

County can't get out their own half.

And we're off! Let the goals flow freely...

Midfielder Lewis Ferguson has described Aberdeen's meeting with Hibs as "must win", while boss Derek McInnes says it has the feel of a cup final.

Third place rather than silverware is the prize at stake for the winners today, with the Dons currently two points behind have played a game fewer.

McInnes could certainly do with a victory to ease the growing criticism aimed at him amid a run of just two wins in nine. And his side have an excellent recent record in this fixture, winning the last three meetings and losing just one of 11.

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Motherwell manager Graham Alexander tells BBC Scotland: "Celtic are still the envy of the rest of the league. We know it's a tough challenge but we try and approach every game the same. If we meet them head on and try to play as much as we can we give ourselves the best chance."

A wee reminder of the top-flight standings as kick-off time looms.

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon says the club are unhappy at Albian Ajeti being charged for simulation by the Scottish FA after winning a penalty in midweek against Kilmarnock.

He tells BBC Scotland: "It's a new thing. It looks like the goalposts have been moved again on Celtic. We're not happy and we will defend it vigorously. This isn't to make a point, it's to protect the player. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

"Three referees have looked at it, there's clear contact, so its not simulation. Why it's being looked at again I don't know."

Dundee United assistant manager Stevie Frail tells BBC Sportsound: "We know how difficult this afternoon will be, but we are hoping to replicate the 2-1 win we got up here at the start of the season.

"It's disappointing the run we are on, but we feel in large parts of these games we are playing reasonably well.

"Although we've not had the wins there has been a lot of positives. We’ve just maybe not had that wee bit of invention in the final third."

Motherwell have lost nine straight visits to Celtic Park - including a 3-0 defeat in August - since their last victory, a 2-1 triumph in December 2015 under Mark McGhee.

But with Celtic manager Neil Lennon still under pressure, as his side trail leaders Rangers by 23 points, the champions' vulnerabilities can give the visitors hope.

Celtic's defeat to St Mirren last weekend means they have won just one of their last four league games at Celtic Park - another slip-up today would be their first back-to-back home defeats since Martin O'Neill's tenure in 2004.

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Hibernian head coach Jack Ross is well aware of the importance of this game against Aberdeen in the context of third place.

"It's not season-defining for either team, because of the number of games left and the points difference between the sides either way," he said.

"When you play the teams you think are going to be round about you, there always significant and so far this season we've been on the wrong end of the result.

"And as you edge closer towards the end of the season they take on extra significance."

On some of the criticism pointed at his counterpart this afternoon, Derek McInnes, Ross said: "I have an enormous amount of respect for him and the job he's done as a manager full stop.

"He's someone who's been really really good to me when I started in management at Alloa. Really supportive, right up to when I lost my job at Sunderland. His job at Aberdeen is very good, in context."

Our radio coverage is under way on BBC Scotland FM & MW, with updates from all games across the country.

There are also two separate online-only live commentaries of Celtic v Motherwell and Hibs v Aberdeen, which can be accessed by clicking the links at the top of this page.

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Managerless Kilmarnock have James Fowler, Andy Millen and Gary Dicker at the helm for a second game as the club's search for a replacement to Alex Dyer continues.

The Rugby Park side sit just a point off second-bottom Ross County and their away form is woeful, losing five of the last six without mustering a goal.

They did win in Paisley earlier this season though, with Nicke Kabamba netting the only goal in that September encounter.

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Livingston manager David Martindale has confirmed that striker Gavin Reilly has tested positive for Covid-19 and team-mate Julien Serrano is self-isolating after advice from Scottish football's joint response group.

Martindale told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound: "Gavin Reilly's been hit with Covid. Gavin, I think returns next Thursday.

"Julien Serrano is the unlucky one who was sitting in the bus. There was only 10 people on a bus but Julien sits in the same line as Gavin, three metres away, and the JRG came back and said the Scottish government would prefer it if Julien Serrano isolated."

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Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has been responding to some of the criticism that his come his way after a run of win win in seven games.

"I look at our competitors today, Hibs," he said. "Third for them is clearly vitally important. They've resisted a lot of offers this window, they clearly see the importance of finishing third, as we do.

"We've always prided ourselves on being the team that's right up there. Finishing third is still a very good achievement for us.

"Dealing with pressure, dealing with disappointing results is part of the deal for an Aberdeen manager. If you don't deal with that side of it well you're as well not applying for a job here. I need to remind people if we win today we go third.

Asked if he deserves the chance to turn things around, McInnes said: "That's not for me to decide. You sign up to be a manager and you deal with what's ahead of you.

"I've loved my time here. I wasn't born or brought up an Aberdeen fan, but I love this club more than any other supporter out there. It's so important for us to finish third."

Hearts continued their gallop to the title with last night's win at Ayr moving them 12 points clear, but it's all to play for below them in the play-off race.

And there's a key contest at the bottom today as Alloa - at risk of becoming cut adrift - host fellow strugglers Queen of the South.

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After his red card in the midweek defeat to Hibernian, St Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is suspended and replaced by Dean Lyness. Jim Goodwin has stuck with the same back four, but has made three further changes further up the park.

Striker Eamonn Brophy is unavailable as he is on loan from Kilmarnock, so Jon Obika leads the line. Kristian Dennis is injured, with Kyle McAllister drafted in. Ethan Erhahon returns to the midfield, with Ryan Flynn dropping to the bench.

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Clevid Dikamona's omission allows Killie to hand a debut to Arsenal loanee Zech Medley in defence. Their line-up is slightly rotated from the side that lost 4-0 to Celtic on Tuesday.

Key man Chris Burke has to settle for a place on the bench, while George Oakley is not with the squad. They are replaced by Crystal Palace loanee Brandon Pierrick and forward Danny Whitehall.

The good news for Killie fans is that Greg Kiltie is back in the starting XI. Nicke Kabamba is on the bench.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes makes two changes for this crucial clash with Hibs.

Dylan McGeouch comes into the midfield to face his old club, while Matty Kennedy also returns to the XI.

Connor McLennan drops to the bench, and Ryan Hedges misses out due to that pectoral injury which will keep him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

Jack Ross, meanwhile, names the same Hibs team that beat St Mirren on Tuesday. Christian Doidge, Martin Boyle, and Jamie Murphy lead the attack.

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Ross County boss John Hughes makes three changes to the side that secured a vital comeback win away to Hamilton Academical on Wednesday.

Midweek goalscorers Jordan White and Billy Mckay, as well as Carl Tremarco, come in for Alex Iacovitti, Iain Vigurs and Oli Shaw.

As for the away side, Dundee United manager Micky Mellon makes two alternations to the team that suffered a damaging defeat at Fir Park.

Striker Nicky Clark and midfielder Ian Harkes are dropped to the bench for Peter Pawlett and centre-back Mark Reynolds.

A change of shape for the visitors?

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Livingston, who won at Aberdeen on Tuesday, make three changes for today's dress rehearsal for the Scottish League Cup final against St Johnstone.

Marvin Bartley, Alan Forrest and Scott Robinson come in while Jay Emmanuel-Thomas drops to the bench and Julien Serrano and Josh Mullin are not in the squad.

St Johnstone make five changes from the team that lost away to Rangers on Wednesday.

Shaun Rooney, David Wotherspoon, Liam Craig, Guy Melamed and Chris Kane start, while James Brown, Craig Bryson, Craig Conway and Stevie May drop to the bench and Murray Davidson misses out injured.

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