SPL weekend preview

The Old Firm derby takes centre stage in Scotland this weekend as Celtic travel to Ibrox to take on Rangers in the biggest game in the SPL calendar.

Celtic go into the game three points clear of their fierce rivals and they will be aiming to strike a psychological blow by extending their lead at the top of the table, while Rangers are looking for their third derby success in a row.

Elsewhere, there is a relegation six-pointer at Love Street as St Mirren play host to basement boys Gretna.

Hibernian are also hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Motherwell.

Falkirk v Kilmarnock.

John Hughes has close to a full-strength squad to choose from him for the visit of Jim Jefferies' Kilmarnock.

Jack Ross is the only absentee for Falkirk as he struggles with a suspected hernia problem.

Kilmarnock are boosted by the return of a number of key men for the trip to Falkirk.

Ryan O'Leary is available again after suspension, while Gary Wales, Eric Skora, Rhian Dodds and Danny Invincibile are all back in training after injury.

David Fernandez, Grant Murray and Allan Johnston are long-term injury victims for Kilmarnock.

Hearts v Dundee United

Hearts are still short of numbers ahead of the visit of Dundee United with Saulius Mikoliunas, Bruno Aguiar, Deividas, Juho Makela and Neil McCann all sidelined for the home side.

Mauricio Pinilla made a successful return for the reserves in midweek and he could be on the bench at Tynecastle.

Craig Levein returns to his former club hoping to maintain United's fine start to the season.

The visitors are still without injured trio Craig Conway, Lukasz Zaluska and Keith Watson for the trip to Edinburgh.

Motherwell v Hibernian

Hibernian are without French midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin for the trip to Fir Park after he underwent knee surgery during the international break.

Better news on the injury front for John Collins is that Steven Fletcher is expected to recover from a knee problem which forced him to miss Scotland Under 21s defeat to Holland in midweek.

Motherwell team news to follow...

Rangers v Celtic

Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan have a number of injury worries to contend with before finalising their sides for the first Old Firm derby of the season.

Rangers chief Smith is sweating over the fitness of DaMarcus Beasley, Brahim Hemdani, and Jean-Claude Darcheville.

Beasley suffered an ankle injury playing for the USA in midweek, while Darcheville is struggling with a hamstring strain and Hemdani faces a fitness test on a groin problem.

Alan Hutton has shaken off a calf injury picked up against Ukraine last weekend to take his place in the squad.

Lee McCulloch has been passed fit to play after an ankle injury and Allan McGregor is expected to shake off a shoulder problem to start.

Celtic are waiting on Scott Brown's fitness as he attempts to recover from a hamstring problem which ruled him out Scotland's defeat to Georgia in midweek.

Gary Caldwell faces a late fitness on the knee injury he sustained against Gretna last time out.

Paul Hartley and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are both expected to miss out with hamstring injuries.

Celtic have problems at right-back with Mark Wilson and Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe both sidelined through injury.

Steven Pressley is still missing for Celtic as he recovers from a back problem.

St Mirren v Gretna

Tony Caig is hoping to make his belated debut for Gretna after finally being allowed to seal his move to the SPL new boys.

Caig will be fighting it out with Greg Fleming to start between the sticks for Davie Irons's side.

The visitors are missing defensive duo Aurelien Collin and Martin Canning for the trip to Paisley.

Ian Maxwell, Craig Dargo, Alan Reid and Eddie Malone are still sidelined for St Mirren because of injury.

Craig Molloy could be involved after making a successful return for the reserves.

Sunday

Inverness v Aberdeen

Inverness play host to Aberdeen in Sunday's only SPL fixture hoping to record their first ever victory over The Dons.

Caley's player-manager Craig Brewster could return to the starting line-up against his old club after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Markus Paatelainen, Rory McAllister and Steven Watt are still absent through injury, while Richie Hart is suspended by the club following a breach of conduct.

Aberdeen are set to welcome back Jamie Smith and Darren Mackie after they recovered from hamstring problems.

Jimmy Calderwood will have to make do without Michael Hart due to illness, while Chris Clark has an Achilles problem.