Upcoming Scottish Premiership Matches and Key Players
The Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals limited Scottish Premiership action last weekend, but an exciting lineup is set for the next two days.
Celtic and Rangers are back in domestic action following their midweek Europa League matches, while other teams are eager to return after a weekend off.
This weekend’s highlight match features Celtic Park, where we will be monitoring a key striker, and our manager spotlight focuses on the visiting team at Fir Park.
Game of the Weekend - Livingston vs. Rangers (Sun, 15:00 BST)
Under normal circumstances, this might not be the standout match, but Rangers are currently facing challenges.
Playing on a plastic pitch against a tough team led by an experienced manager is not ideal for Russell Martin and his squad.
After suffering their fourth defeat in 14 matches during a Europa League loss to Genk, Rangers find themselves at the bottom of the Premiership standings, still seeking their first league win of the season.
With four draws and one defeat, Martin’s team is just one point behind their West Lothian opponents, albeit with one game less played, marking their worst league start in 48 years.
Rangers have gone winless in their last six league games, a streak that includes five draws and one loss, tying the longest such run in their history, previously reached in December 2005.
This is not merely a case of bad luck; the team's performances have been disappointing, and even Martin seems to be losing confidence in his belief that fortunes will turn around.
Although it is only match-day six for Rangers, this match is crucial for them to secure a victory.
Historically, they have fared well against Livingston, winning nine of their last ten encounters in all competitions, with six consecutive victories. They have not lost to Livingston in their last 21 meetings.
However, David Martindale’s side has nothing to lose and will be looking to bounce back after a controversial VAR decision contributed to their recent defeat against Dundee.
Player to Watch - Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic)
Kelechi Iheanacho has made an immediate impact at Celtic, with two goals and one assist in just three games.
Although he was not featured in the Europa League opener against Red Star Belgrade, his performance off the bench in the 1-1 draw solidified his position in the starting lineup for Saturday’s match against Hibernian.
The 28-year-old striker provided the focal point that Celtic lacked in the first half, registering three shots on target and seven accurate passes during his time on the pitch.
His ability to link up play was evident in last week’s 4-0 victory over Partick Thistle, where he assisted fellow summer signing Sebastian Tounekti.
Despite initial skepticism regarding his transfer on a free earlier this month, if Iheanacho continues his scoring form, he is likely to win over Celtic fans as their leading striker.
Manager Spotlight - Jimmy Thelin (Aberdeen)
Jimmy Thelin has consistently been in the spotlight this season as the Aberdeen manager.
He acknowledged the need to “find answers quickly” to address a troubling start that has seen the team suffer four league defeats and a draw in five matches, without scoring a single goal.
Additionally, a League Cup exit at the hands of Motherwell has added to the gloom at Pittodrie.
Following a midweek league defeat against Dundee United, fans expressed their dissatisfaction with chants directed at Thelin, who stated that the club is at “rock bottom.”
Defender Mats Knoester urged the squad to “look in the mirror and do better,” emphasizing that blaming the manager alone is not the solution.
However, Thelin’s continued reliance on tactics that do not suit the players at his disposal, along with a lack of in-game adjustments, is diminishing the value of the goodwill he earned from winning the Scottish Cup.