Bright start from the home side at Rugby Park as Kilmarnock threaten down both wings.

Derek McInnes asked his players to impose themselves on the game. Looks like his players were listening.

The SPFL Saturday is under way.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

Rangers players have just walked out to a huge ovation at Ibrox - league leaders for the first time since manager Philippe Clement took over in October. The stadium is packed to the rafters. In the wedge between the Broomloan and Sandy Jardine stands, the Hearts' fans are just as expectant.

Rarely, if ever, can their team have arrived in Glasgow in better form as they seek their seventh straight win on the road in the league, a top-flight streak they have not had in 13 years.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Incredibly, a win for Derek McInnes' side would open up a 13-point gap over Aberdeen, albeit they would have a game in hand. At this stage, that's some incentive.

Neil Warnock talked about cutting out "clangers" that are undermining Aberdeen's ability to win. They badly need one to get moving in the right direction.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Scotland at Easter Road

With games fast running out before the split Hibernian really need to step up their game if they want to join the top-six party for the season run-in. Victory against the team today immediately above them would undoubtedly give the fans hope but a defeat would place them eight points behind Dundee with only seven games left before the split.

Dundee wins at Easter Road are rare. You have to go back to October 2001 when a last-minute Steve Milne strike secured victory.

Should be a cracker here at Easter Road!

Image source, SNS

Livingston manager David Martindale: "I woke up this morning ready to go, and the boys are similar. You just want to get into the game.

"[Last week's win] gives you positive momentum. I've lost games of football and been on bad runs but none as bad as we have been.

"And what you notice is the negative momentum and energy. Every game gets harder, but now you can flip that in a positive way.

"It plays a bigger part in the game than I realised before this run."

Image source, SNS

Aberdeen manager Neil Warnock tells BBC Scotland: "I'm just hoping they can put the performance on. They've got to stand up and be counted. Kilmarnock are a strong, physical side and it'll be a good test for us.

"We've got some good players and I hope they lift themselves today. The pitch, I've not really experienced before to be honest.

"The goals we've given away, they've just been clangers - Sunday league stuff. Apart from one goal, I don't think we've conceded anything that hasn't been our own fault.

"We have to ask the question on what they'll do about us. We've got to put our own house in order, and if we do that, I think we'll give anyone a game.

"The squad is a little bit unbalanced. We've haven't got too many leaders. They're a nice bunch, maybe a bit too nice in that respect."

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes tells BBC Scotland: "There's been a lot of draws. I think last week at Celtic Park was probably our best performance since we came back from the break. It's important for us to keep striving for those improvements.

"You look at the Aberdeen squad, they're a good team and we'll have to play well to beat them. We need to win games of football.

"For us, we're strong at home. When you see Aberdeen's investment, they'll not be satisfied with where they are.

"The new manager will be looking to assess and try and find the formula. It's up to us to try and impose ourselves on the game."

Image source, SNS

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Scotland at Ibrox

Both of these sides have an immaculate record in 2024. Not a single point dropped between the pair of them. So something has to give today.

Rangers' record over the past dozen matches in all competitions is won 11, lost one. Hearts' is even better; the only blemish during that time a home draw with Ross County. They have not beaten Rangers in four years, however, and have not won at Ibrox in the top flight since 2012.

With seven games until the split, only really the top three are safe in the top six.

The form of Hibernian, Aberdeen, Motherwell and St Johnstone may not scream consistency but all four are arithmetically capable of catching Dundee (32 points), St Mirren (35) and Kilmarnock (37).

So too are the bottom two but, realistically, it's Hibs, Aberdeen, Motherwell and St Johnstone who are the biggest threats to Dundee, St Mirren and Killie.

St Johnstone manager Craig Levein tells BBC Scotland: "We've got a lot of energy in the team. And now that Nicky [Clark] is back fit and raring to go, I decided to put two strikers on the field. We'll see how we get on. We need to create more chances and score more goals, so I think it's worth the risk.

"With Nicky's experience, and Adama Sidibeh's running, power, strength and finishing ability, I'm excited myself to see how they play together. I'm hoping Nicky can talk Adama through the game. Nicky's a proven goalscorer at this level which is difficult to find."

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson tells BBC Scotland: "James [Bolton] is back in after suspension. He was very, very good with three clean sheets before he went out of the team. Charles [Dunne] has done well with the games he has been in but we have just put that more defensive bone in.

"Lewis Jamieson has been excellent in the games he has come on. It's a fight between him and James Scott at the moment. They are two good options for us.

"We have to be a lot more ruthless than last Saturday but we are playing well and we are going into the game confident."

Jane Lewis
BBC Scotland in Paisley

The battle of the Saints in Paisley brings together two sides looking to get back to winning ways. St Mirren have played well in their past two defeats, but have taken nothing.

St Johnstone have lost their past three games and might be looking over their shoulder depending on how that match between Ross County and Livingston goes in Dingwall.

Visiting manager Craig Levein insists he will not have half an eye on that one, though, as he cannot affect that game. Both managers are eager for goals today, something that's been missing recently.

Image source, SNS

Ross County manager Don Cowie: "Every game is important for us, but where both teams are in the league there's a lot of spotlight on the game.

"This is the first time we've had a full week leading into a match so the preparation has been good, the team is ready, now it's about putting that on to the pitch.

"For me it's about giving the players belief. I really believe in them, I've seen some good things and I want that to go further today.

"Disappointing on Yan [Dhanda], he's picked up a knock from last week so doesn't make it today.

"I just feel we've got three very good strikers at the club. I want the fans to see a team that's going to play on the front foot."

Six points separate the bottom two sides before their meeting today. Livingston are 12th and have played a game more than Ross County. St Johnstone, who like Livi have played 26 games, are five points clear of County.

Livi secured a rare win - only their third in the league this season - against St Mirren while County are still seeking their first points under interim boss Don Cowie.

Image source, SNS

Regardless of what happens today, it doesn't look like anyone will threaten Hearts' position in third.

Kilmarnock, at home to Aberdeen, are 14 points behind Hearts but only two points in front of St Mirren, who host St Johnstone. Dundee are five points off St Mirren but have a game in hand. They are away to Hibernian.

Finishing third or fourth will secure European football, as could fifth depending on who wins the Scottish Cup.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith tells BBC Scotland: "[A result today] would be the next step. Going into every game we know and understand the progress we've made.

"Today is another big test for us. We need to be on it to get a result.

"A lot of these games will be decided on small margins. It's two good teams who are in good form and want to have the ball.

"We're building confidence in our own ability."

Last week, Celtic were held 1-1 by visitors Kilmarnock on the Saturday and Rangers took advantage by winning 3-0 at St Johnstone on the Sunday.

That gave Rangers a two-point advantage at the top with 12 games to go. Today, Rangers can move five points clear with victory over Hearts at Ibrox, with Celtic not playing Motherwell at Fir Park until Sunday lunchtime.

Should the Ibrox side slip up against in-form Hearts, it could be Celtic's turn to take advantage.

Image source, SNS

• Cove Rangers v Annan Athletic
• Hamilton Academical v Alloa Athletic
• Kelty Hearts v Falkirk
• Stirling Albion v Edinburgh City
• Queen of the South v Montrose (17:30) - watch on BBC Alba

• Dumbarton v Stranraer
• East Fife v Forfar Athletic
• Peterhead v Elgin City
• Stenhousemuir v Clyde
• Spartans v Bonnyrigg Rose

Dunfermline Athletic beat Partick Thistle in controversial circumstances in last night's Scottish Championship contest at Firhill. Watch the main incidents below.