Connor Goldson somehow finds himself deep inside the County penalty box after starting and finishing a flowing move.

James Tavernier's cross flicks off the head of Antonio Colak and lands at the centre-back's feet.

However, goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw blocks bravely from point-blank range and the visitors survive.

Aberdeen hit back with a deep cross to the back post, but Vicente Besuijen is the man on the end of it and he's not tall enough to make a decent connection.

Both sides making their intentions known early on, with Livingston playing some really nice one-touch stuff.

An early chance for the visitors as Connor Shields finds Dean Cornelius free in the Kilmarnock box, but the midfielder's first-time effort bounces wide.

Early chance for Livingston.

Andrew Shinnie did well to keep the ball following a Stephane Omeonga cross ball. Jason Holt picked up and floated towards Joel Nouble, but the striker headed over from close range.

Kick-off was delayed by a couple of minutes at Rugby Park after a flare appeared on the pitch.

A slightly confused looking steward is on hand with a litter-picker and a bucket to save the artificial surface from further damage.

Hibs have started on the front foot. They haven't really created a chance yet, but they are putting the home side under heavy pressure in the opening stages.

Livingston boss David Martindale told BBC Scotland: "Not overly confident. it's going to be a difficult game and I don't underestimate the task in front of us.

"Jim Goodwin has made huge changes at Aberdeen. They're going through a transitional phase. On their day, they're a top team.

"We need to apply pressure in the final third and get after them. We want to be on the front foot. We were a bit passive last week, a bit lethargic. We need to get back to what gives us success.

"Jim is still identifying what he wants to do. He's still getting his philosophy in. Their recruitment has been shrewd and as the season goes on, I think we'll see Aberdeen develop and grow as a team. It's my job today to try and take points from this game."

Blistering start from Motherwell with only two minutes gone as Kevin van Veen latches on to a long diagonal, bamboozles Lewis Mayo, and draws a good save from Sam Walker.

Rangers look buoyant from their midweek Champions League progress and are first to threaten.

Ryan Kent comes in from the left and the winger sends a curling drive just over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty box.

And they're off...

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Firhill

Both Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers are looking to close back in on leaders Ayr United after their really impressive win over Dundee last night.

Thistle lie four points adrift in second place, off the back of their really dominant 4-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle just over a week ago. They will be full of confidence and looking to utilise the vastly improved surface here at Firhill to maximum effect.

Raith Rovers are starting to pick up. Back-to-back wins have got their season up and running with the opportunity to a least leap over Dundee and Thistle.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin tells BBC Scotland: "I don't think you need to make changes for the sake of it. The guys in the team are doing well. We had a blip against Motherwell where far too many of us were below par but I was pleased with the reaction in Perth last weekend.

"The pleasing aspect for me was the way we defended as a unit and the way the boys fought to keep a clean sheet. We've got real quality at the top end of the pitch. [Bojan] Miovski has been outstanding since he came in, one of the form strikers in the league.

"We've got a strong, competitive squad this season. Matty Kennedy is back from injury, he's had a brilliant start to the season. I'm pleased to have him back. [Luis] Lopes came off the bench last weekend and he's slightly ahead of Christian [Ramirez] at this moment in team.

"The numbers from last season don't interest me. This is a completely new group. They weren't here when that was happening. We want some consistency and if we can put back-to-back wins together, it can propel you up this league. That's where we want to be."

Image source, SNS

Hibernian have been dealt a big injury blow as Rocky Bushiri is set to spend more than two months on the sidelines after the Belgian suffered an ankle injury in training.

Manager Lee Johnson told BBC Scotland: “Very unfortunate and bad for Rocky. You want competitiveness in training, which we try to create, but unfortunately on this occasion it was a little bit too competitive.

"It was just a 50-50 tackle, both were committed in the challenge but he is going to be out eight weeks minimum and likely 12.

“We are feeling for him as he has been doing so well. He has been one of our star performers in my opinion.

“I’m going to have to go to the board to see what we have got [in the budget]. I probably envisaged a couple of outs but for whatever reason we haven’t been able to do that, which is fair enough. That's a player's prerogative."

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Malky Mackay is happy with his side's early season form despite only securing their first Premiership win of the campaign last weekend.

"We came up against two of the top three in the first three weeks then we were disappointing against St Mirren, but I thought we came back and deserved the win over Kilmarnock," he tells BBC Scotland.

Mackay congratulates Rangers for their progress to the Champions League group stage and adds: "I'm sure it will make this place interesting this afternoon."

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave an update on Alfredo Morelos' situation after the Colombia striker was omitted from the squad to face PSV Eindhoven in midweek because of concerns over his fitness and attitude.

Morelos is suspended for today's game against Ross County after last weekend's red card and his manager had already revealed he would meet with him next week to plan his path back into his plans.

"His attitude this week with the training sessions was good and he needs to continue that effort," Van Bronckhorst said.

After the euphoria of Wednesday's Champions League play-off win over PSV Eindhoven and the excitement of Thursday's draw, it's back to league business for Rangers.

The Ibrox side dropped Premiership points for the first time this season last weekend but can go above leaders Celtic with a win today.

Ross County will have other ideas, though, and Jordan White has a record to maintain. The striker scored in all four of County's meetings with Rangers last season and the Dingwall side are going for back-to-back wins.

To continue his record today, White will have to make it off the bench.

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen and Livingston have both started the Scottish Premiership season with two wins out of four.

It was also two wins each in last season's meetings between these sides.

The Dons are still trying to achieve back-to-back league wins while Livi are seeking to get back to winning ways after last week's loss to Motherwell.

Both teams finished in the bottom six last season and have aspirations of a top half finish come May.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock and Motherwell meet for the first time since 1 May 2021, with Killie still in search of a first Scottish Premiership win since promotion.

To achieve that, they'll have to get past a Well side on two straight wins and three league victories overall this season.

Any positive result for the hosts would leave Dundee United bottom before they face Celtic on Sunday.

Although Kilmarnock have spent a year in the Championship, these two clubs know each other well, having been in the same division for most of the past three decades.

Image source, SNS