Aberdeen vs Celtic is live on Sky Sports from midday on Saturday; Kilmarnock are away to Hearts; Livingston face Dundee United; Motherwell are at home to St Mirren; Ross County face St Johnstone
Saturday 17 December 2022 08:49, UK
Michael Beale won his first league game as Rangers boss under the Ibrox floodlights on Thursday, 3-2 against Hibernian, while Celtic's season gets underway again live on Sky Sports on Saturday lunchtime against Aberdeen.
Rangers' victory means Celtic need a victory at Pittodrie to restore their nine-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Just four points separate third and seventh in the table with the relegation battle also too close to call.
We asked former Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson for his assessment of an intriguing season for Scottish football...
Rangers returned from the World Cup break with a dramatic victory over Hibs, live on Sky Sports, as the Michael Beale era got off to a winning start.
It was far from a convincing performance at times and Thomson admits it will be difficult for his former team to catch the Scottish Premiership leaders.
"Celtic are a really good team.
"It's mad to think when Ange [Postecoglu] came to Scotland, his credentials were being questioned, but he always stayed with real respect and quality as an individual.
"He carries himself with real class which is refreshing and the way he's conducted himself has been a breath of fresh air. He's got a really good team, his recruitment has been spot-on."
Aberdeen currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership, just four points ahead of fifth-placed Hearts.
Thomson is expecting a real battle in the race for a European place.
"I think Robbie Neilson's done a terrific job at Hearts and Jim Goodwin turned a corner after a difficult start at Aberdeen.
"They are two really good young managers who have good experience now as well.
"They're starting to get a bit of longevity now in management which is not easy, so it tells you they must be doing something right.
"I think Robbie's assembled a really good squad, a competitive squad. If I was hedging my bets, even though it might be a disappointment for me, I think the Jambos might just edge that third place."
It has been an impressive season so far for Livingston who find themselves sitting in fourth in the Scottish Premiership as David Martindale targets their first top-six finish.
Thomson insists the manager deserves a lot of credit.
"I think he's a different class, Davie, to be honest," he said.
"He's old school, he's got old school mannerisms, I think he always conducts himself really well and his teams are difficult to play against.
"People talk about Ange Postecoglou's style, Mick Beale's style, David Martindale's got his still and it works.
"I'm pretty sure his budget will be down near the bottom of the league so he had to recruit well and he has to get the best out of players.
"He is a breath of fresh air, it's the best way to describe him and his teams always punch above.
"You know if you're giving Davie Martindale a pound he's going to get the best out of it.
"That's the best way to describe him. I think every team that plays against Livingston will know they're in a game and, if I was a manager, that's the least you should expect from how your team looks. That's easier said than done, trust me.
It is Dundee United who find themselves in the unenviable position of bottom in the Scottish Premiership, with Kilmarnock just three points above them.
Thomson believes experience could count come the end of the season.
"It's a difficult one because Callum (Davidson) and St Johnstone went on a good run and picked up some points and parachuted themselves up the league.
"Liam (Fox) came into Dundee United and they had a couple of good results to start with then kit tailed off a bit.
"Derek (McInnes) at Kilmarnock has been around the block. He's got longevity as a manager but he'll feel the pressure like everyone else because it's natural, but he's more experienced to feel that pressure.
"I'm pretty sure Kilmarnock will be ok but, at the same time, they're in that fight with Dundee United.
"There are only a couple of results from going up the way to down the way. It's intriguing to see how it's going to pan out."
Sky Sports - This season up to 48 cinch Premiership games will be available across Sky Sports' flagship channels, including Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, plus at least five SWPL matches. From 2024/25, up to 60 cinch Premiership will be live on Sky Sports, in addition to the SWPL.
Sky Sports News - Running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Scottish football fans can enjoy Sky Sports News' (channel 409) rolling editorial coverage of the cinch Premiership and SWPL throughout the season.
Sky Sports Digital - Follow all the latest from Scottish football across SkySports.com and app, including exclusive features and interviews, plus dedicated live blog coverage, in-game clips from matches live on Sky Sports and free highlights.
Sky Sports Social - Alongside coverage and visibility for the league across all Sky Sports' main social media channels, the bespoke Twitter channel @ScotlandSky will continue to be the home of all Scottish football content on Sky Sports.
Highlights show - Tune in for a dedicated round-up from the cinch Premiership every week on Sky Sports Football.
To download the Sky Sports app click here, to visit Sky Sports website click here.
Sky Sports is the home of domestic football in the UK and Ireland, with more than 400 games per season across the SPFL, SWPL, Premier League, WSL, and EFL.
