Friday 29 September 2017 16:22, UK
This week in Scottish football saw a brilliant night for Celtic in Brussels followed by what was surely a day to forget in Vegas for Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha.
Both Glasgow clubs have hit the headlines in the last few days for vastly different reasons.
Celtic recorded their first Champions League group stage win away from home in five years with Wednesday's 3-0 win over Anderlecht.
On the other side of the city, Caixinha has once again had to fend off claims of dressing room discord at Ibrox. He claimed the leaks from inside his squad makes him "more confident," but it can't make comfortable reading for the Portuguese.
Friday's headlines were even less kind to the Rangers manager, with reports he has sent veteran striker Kenny Miller to play with the U20s instead of being in the squad for the trip to Hamilton.
Hibernian take their positive start to life back in Scotland's top division with a first managerial return to Celtic Park for Neil Lennon.
It is second against third in the Premiership at Pittodrie as St Johnstone travel east to face Derek McInnes' side. The Perth club could leapfrog Aberdeen into second with a victory.
Neil McCann hosts another of his former clubs this weekend with Hearts visiting Dens Park, and both clubs are looking to build on recent positive results.
Ross County appointed former Premier League manager Owen Coyle to replace Jim McIntyre early this week. His first duty is to try and wrestle three points away from Rugby Park against his former team-mate Lee McCulloch, who is still looking for his first league win of the season.
And last but by no means least, an in-form Motherwell side welcome Partick Thistle to Fir Park. Thistle are the only other side than Kilmarnock yet to win in the Premiership in 2017/18
Andy Walker - Hamilton Accies 1-2 Rangers
Key Player - Carlos Pena
When you spend as much as Rangers have on a player, he has to make a difference. A lot of improvement required.
Ian Crocker - Hamilton Accies 1-2 Rangers
Key Player - Alfredo Morelos
The Colombian striker has certainly got himself noticed and made an impression.
Opta Stats
Since the turn of the millennium, Hamilton have faced Rangers on 12 occasions in the Scottish Premiership and have taken only a single point from the 36 available (D1 L11).
During this period Rangers have conceded just six league goals (0.5 goals per game) against Hamilton and scored a total of 31 (2.6 goals per game).
Hamilton are currently on a run of four games in the league without a win (D1 L3).
Rangers are currently on a eight game unbeaten run away in the Scottish Premiership (W5 D3) the last time Rangers went nine away top-flight games undefeated came back in October 2011, this was part of a run that lasted 14 matches (W14).
Andy Walker - Aberdeen 1-1 St Johnstone
Key Player- Stefan Scougall
Has plenty to offer in midfield for Tommy Wright's men.
Ian Crocker - Aberdeen 1-0 St Johnstone
Key Player- Stevie May
Isn't there a law about scoring against your former club? Stevie may do it.
Opta Stats
St Johnstone are currently on a five game unbeaten run away in the league against the Dons (W3 D2), with their last defeat at the Pittodrie stadium coming back in January 2015.
In four of the last five league meetings between the sides Aberdeen have failed to register a single goal, whilst St Johnstone have netted six times.
Despite losing their last three home games of last season, Aberdeen have started this season off undefeated at home in the league (W2 D1).
St Johnstone have failed to score in just one of their last 19 Scottish Premiership matches.
Andy Walker - Celtic 2-1 Hibernian
Key Player- Mikael Lustig
Enjoying a consistent run of form, so reliable.
Ian Crocker - Celtic 2-1 Hibernian
Key Player- Moussa Dembele
Back in business after injury and ready for action and goals.
Opta Stats
This will be the sides first meeting in the Scottish Premiership since January 2014.
Celtic have lost just one of the last 14 league games against Hibernian (W10 D3) and haven't lost at Celtic Park to the Hibs since January 2010, where a 90th minute Danny Galbraith winner sealed three points for Hibernian.
Celtic have kept clean sheets in seven of the last 11 league meetings against Hibernian, conceding just five and netting 24 past the Hibs in that time.
After last weekend's Old Firm derby victory against Rangers, Celtic's unbeaten league run has now stretched to 46 games (W41 D5) the last time they lost at home in the league came back in December 2015, 33 games ago (L1-2 Motherwell).
Andy Walker - Dundee 0-1 Hearts
Key Player- Kyle Lafferty
Very open about his gambling addiction this week, still offers a threat up front for Hearts.
Ian Crocker - Dundee 1-1 Hearts
Key Player- Ross Callachan
Great to see lower league players given a chance and he's definitely taken his.
Opta Stats
Dundee have won just one of their last six Scottish premiership fixtures against Hearts (D1 L4).
Hearts have lost just three of their last 14 away meetings with the Dee in the Scottish Premiership, although those three defeats have come in their last five such trips to Dens Park.
Despite winning their last home league game against St Johnstone (3-2), Dundee have won just one of their last nine home matches in the Scottish Premiership (D2 L6) and currently pose the league's worst defensive record conceding 15 goals.
Hearts have picked up nine points from their last six matches in the league prior to this they managed just one point from the previous six matches.
Andy Walker - Kilmarnock 1-2 Ross County
Key Player- Andrew Davies
Like the rest of the squad, Davies should get a lift from Owen Coyle taking over from Jim McIntyre.
Ian Crocker - Kilmarnock 2-2 Ross County
Key Player- Jordan Jones
Lively presence and buzzing after a Northern Ireland call-up.
Opta Stats
Kilmarnock have lost all but one of their last 6 home league meetings against Ross County (W1 L5), scoring just five and conceding 15.
This fixture has ended in a draw just once in the last 17 Scottish Premiership games between the two sides, which came in February 2014 (2-2).
Kilmarnock are one of two sides still without a league win so far this season and have won just two of their last 17 league matches (D7 L8).
Ross County however have lost five of their last six league matches (D1), after winning five of the previous six matches (D1).
Andy Walker - Motherwell 2-0 Partick Thistle
Key Player- Chris Cadden
Enjoying another fine season, he'll be next to make Motherwell a big profit when they sell him.
Ian Crocker - Motherwell 2-1 Partick Thistle
Key Player- Louis Moult
Top striker making a big difference to Motherwell's season.
Opta Stats
The visiting team have not won in any of the last twelve league meetings between these sides, with Motherwell being the last to win a match between the two away from home in December 2013, running out 5-1 winners at Firhill Stadium.
Motherwell have not lost in 11 home Scottish Premiership fixtures against Patrick Thistle (W7 D4). In fact, Motherwell have won seven of the last eight meetings between the two at Fir Park, scoring 16 goals and keeping five clean sheets in that time.
Motherwell have only seen one draw at home in their last 15 Scottish Premiership games, winning five and losing nine.
Along with Kilmarnock, Patrick Thistle are the only other side searching for their first Scottish Premiership victory of the season (D3 L4) and are currently on a run of 13 league games without a win (D4 L9).
