Kilmarnock start with a training ground move, and it only ends when a Motherwell defender makes a block inside his own box.

What a start that could've been. We'd be looking through the record books!

Away we go across the country.

Needing a "mini pre-season" just over a month after pre-season finished probably tells you everything you need to know about St Johnstone's start to the season.

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean says it has been "a long two weeks but a good two weeks" since his side's defeat by Ross County last time out.

He says there were "a few home truths" and "a mini pre-season that they needed" as they looked to prepare for a difficult task at Celtic Park.

MacLean is fielding three of the signings made during that time and points out that striker Chris Kane is back on the bench after long-term injury.

⚽️ Top of their Viaplay Cup group

⚽️ Unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership

⚽️ No league goals conceded

⚽️ Victories over both halves of the Old Firm

Derek McInnes' suit has known nothing but success this season, and he's donning it again for Motherwell v Kilmarnock.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We have people that believe in themselves. I always talk about having evidence for belief, not false hope. We are eight Premiership games without defeat, so we're in a decent spot to turn around our mentality.

"Brodie [Spencer] is a versatile player, he could operate in wide positions. He has history playing at centre-back, too. Those hybrid players are important to us. I start today with six teenagers involved in the squad. That's incredible really.

"Lennon [Miller] had played more minutes for us than any other player in pre-season or the League Cup. It's no token gesture. [David] Watson has been doing well for Kilmarnock as well. It's positive for Scottish football, young players earning the right to play."

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland at Firhill

Fascinating clash between two of Glasgow’s Championship sides in Maryhill this afternoon, and a couple of clubs who find themselves in very different situations.

The Jags are desperate to kick-start their league season after only taking one point from six so far.

The Spiders have played three league games and are looking to maintain an impressive 100% record to date…they’re five points clear at the top!

Brendan Rodgers has been talking about the return from injury of right-back Alistair Johnston.

"He has come in a bit earlier than expected, but he has shown in his time here what a good player he is and to have that experience and quality is obviously beneficial to us," the Celtic manager tells BBC Scotland.

As for a rare start for centre-half Liam Scales, he adds: "I trust the guys who are coming in. Liam was on loan to Aberdeen last season but has shown up very well in pre-season - hence the reason why we haven't let him go out."

Meanwhile, Rodgers admits that a winger with the quality to start in his side is one of his priorities as he looks to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window.

Image source, SNS

Jane Lewis
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

Motherwell and Kilmarnock come face to face after contrasting League Cup ties last weekend.

Motherwell were dumped out by St Mirren in Paisley and Kilmarnock caused the upset of the weekend by ending Celtic’s hopes of another treble.

No doubt Killie’s tails will be up coming to Fir Park, while Stuart Kettlewell has already said he wants his side to show a positive response to their cup defeat.

In the league, both sides have got off to a great start. Although you could argue that Killie’s four points came against tougher opposition and they are yet to concede a goal.

It should be an interesting tussle at Fir Park, and one that could see two of the country’s most exciting young talents, who’ve been more than bit-part players for their respective clubs.

Lennon Miller turned 17 yesterday and has started six games for Motherwell with one sub appearance. David Watson is 18 and after bursting on to the scene at the tail end of last season for Kilmarnock, he’s kept his place in midfield.

Livingston manager David Martindale says he wasn't surprised by Hibs' humbling at the hands of Aston Villa, but acknowledges the threat the Easter Road side carry.

"It [the Villa result] just shows you the difference in quality," he tells BBC Scotland. "I actually thought Hibs equipped themselves well in the first 15 minutes. It shows you the gulf in class. It's about finances.

"The majority of Hibs fans wouldn't have been surprised by the scoreline. I wasn't, and I don't mean that disrespectfully to Hibs at all. The gulf in finances is mindblowing. It's astronomical."

Asked about today's game, he says: "It'd be nice to keep 10 men on the park, first and foremost. I think the last two times we've played Hibs home and away we've been down to 10 men.

"Hibs carry a huge threat in offensive areas. We've had five clean sheets in seven games. That gives you a foundation to go and build from. It's going to be a difficult game."

Image source, SNS

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Easter Road

There is definite tension around Easter Road after the thumping Hibs suffered at the hands of Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

With two defeats in their opening two league matches they simply must win today or suffer the wrath that will undoubtedly come from the home support.

But Livingston will not make things easy and with five clean sheets in their seven competitive games played.

The Hibs attack will have to be on the ball to come out on top.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

This is a test or an opportunity for Celtic's pairing at centre half, depending how you view it.

Liam Scales might have anticipated he'd never have this chance again with he and Gustaf Lagerbielke handed huge responsibility given the injury crisis and Carl Starfelt's departure.

St Johnstone have a real freshness with three debutants and a handful of others who have never experienced this environment.

Steven MacLean said he wants his teams to be attack minded. This might be a great chance to do just that and ask a few questions.

Hibernian boss Lee Johnson says his side are "desperate" to pick up their first points of the Premiership season as they take on Livingston at Easter Road.

He tells BBC Scotland: "It's the impetus of energy that's the key for us today. We've been asking these boys to go beyond the call of duty in term of energy levels.

"I just felt today we needed to shake things up. There's a lot of hungry, motivated lads who maybe haven't had the opportunities they would have liked.

"We want [to win] desperately. We want to get our domestic season up and running. We'll give our all to get three points."

Asked what kind of reception he anticipates from the Easter Road crowd: "I expect it to be positive. We're all Hibs fans here and want to win the game. When the fans get behind us, it's really special."

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "There's been a natural bounce from the win [against Celtic]. Sometimes it's difficult to gain that confidence, sometimes you're searching for that kind of form but right now we're in a good place. However, it doesn't give you any guarantees.

"We're unable to pick the same XI for the fourth week in a row, due to Corrie [Ndaba's] injury. If Corrie had been fit, I'd have gone with the same team. Bringing Kyle [Vassell] in is a big lift for us though. Kyle is our captain, a real important figure for us. He's come off the bench and given us a lift at the right time. If you have a chance to bring your captain back, you do it.

"It's our first time playing against a back five. It allows us to get two strikers on the pitch, two wingers as well. We're hoping we can be strong enough to deal with their physicality and energy.

Image source, SNS

Although he was appointed club captain in the summer, Kyle Vassell has been restricted to appearances off the bench due to injury.

Today, the striker makes his full return to fitness, leading the line at Fir Park.

Corrie Ndaba drops out from the side that beat Celtic in the only change, with Kyle Magennis dropping back into the midfield.

Image source, SNS

The big team news for an injury-hit Motherwell is that new signing Brodie Spencer is drafted straight into the starting line-up. The 19-year-old, on loan from Huddersfield Town, starts at wing-back.

Lennon Miller, who turned 17 through the week, comes back into the starting XI alongside American forward Joe Efford - whose return is timely, given Conor Wilkinson is also absent.

The bench includes four teenagers - with Mika Beireth, Pape Souare, and Jon Obika all ruled out for the foreseeable.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

The big talking point at Celtic is the centre-back partnership. Liam Scales probably thought he would never get a chance at Celtic again.

Because of the injuries he's got another opportunity.

Steven MacLean rings the changes after St Johnstone's 2-0 defeat by Ross County last time out - handing debuts to three on-loan signings.

Wigan Athletic's Luke Robinson replaces the injured Liam Gordon in defence.

Newcastle United's Jay Turner-Cooke and Burnley's Dara Costelloe come into midfield, while another summer signing, Luke Jephcott, starts up front.

Stevie May, Ryan McGowan and Cammy Ballantyne drop to the bench at Celtic Park.

Livingston boss David Martindale had a week to prep for the trip to Easter Road after his team progressed to the quarter-finals of the Viaplay Cup with a 2-0 win over Ayr United last weekend.

Christian Montano and Stephen Kelly drop out, with Jamie Brandon and club stalwart Scott Pittman coming in.

Image source, sns