Scottish Premiership resumes Saturday as new Hibs boss Reedijk prepares for first match
Scottish Premiership teams return to league action on Saturday after an extended international break, with Rangers hosting Kilmarnock at Ibrox and Marink Reedijk taking charge of Hibernian for the first time away to Dundee United at Tannadice; the weekend concludes with Aberdeen v St Johnstone at Pittodrie on Sunday.
The hiatus stretched into what some felt like a mini close-season and allowed managers extra preparation time while many players rested or spent time in warmer climes; all 12 top-flight clubs resume competitive fixtures this weekend. Rangers arrive having won six consecutive matches before the break, though the club’s momentum may not be immediately replicated. Kilmarnock will attempt to become the first visiting league side to score at Ibrox since early August.
At Ibrox Derek McInnes will face his former team-mate Neil McCann in what the preview describes as an intriguing duel between ex-Rangers and Scotland colleagues. McCann’s Kilmarnock picked up positive domestic results prior to the pause, notably an away victory at Hibernian and draws with Aberdeen and Hearts. Those results provided a confidence boost for the visitors ahead of Saturday’s trip.
Marink Reedijk makes his managerial debut for Hibernian on Saturday against Dundee United after joining late last month and without the benefit of a transfer window. Hibs sit third from bottom, a point above Falkirk and two above Kilmarnock, following the departure of David Gray and with a squad that mixes Premiership experience and young talent such as striker Owen Elding. Reedijk has promised his side will play "brave, intense and committed" football and is expected to have a decent travelling support at Tannadice despite preferring to begin at home.
Hearts have struggled in recent weeks, losing at Falkirk and drawing away to Kilmarnock, and Wouter Vrancken’s side face St Mirren at Tynecastle on Saturday as they seek to halt that dip. St Mirren themselves have lost their last three matches after a buoyant start to the campaign. Dundee, three points behind Hearts, head to Falkirk on Saturday after a morale-boosting win over Motherwell before the break, while Falkirk have shown signs of a mini-revival following early-season dropped points.
Celtic arrive at Fir Park on Sunday having lost their last three fixtures in all competitions, including league and cup defeats to Rangers, yet remain two points clear at the top under Martin O'Neill. The match against Motherwell carries the immediate aim of returning to winning ways and also doubles as preparation for Celtic’s Europa League trip to face Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday. Motherwell have also lost three straight, with recent defeats to Rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee.
The weekend’s final top-flight fixture sees Aberdeen host St Johnstone at Pittodrie; both clubs have eight points from seven matches, with Saints marginally ahead on goals scored. It is the first top-flight meeting between the two in more than a year, and both sides went into the break in reasonable form — Aberdeen unbeaten in four and St Johnstone having salvaged a late point at home to Falkirk.
With at least one of Hearts and St Mirren likely to drop points on Saturday, Sunday presents a clear opportunity for either Aberdeen or St Johnstone to move closer to the teams above them in the table; Celtic then travel to Lisbon to face Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday.
