Team news: Rangers get a boost, Hearts suffer a concussion blow, Aberdeen defender sweats for Hibs, and a key Celtic man returns.
Aberdeen (8) v Hibs (9) – Saturday, 3pm
After missing the midweek match with Motherwell due to illness, Aberdeen defender Richard Jensen is still doubtful, and fellow center-back Slobodan Rubezic is still out due to a knee injury. Rocky Bushiri, a defender for the Hibs, has returned from his eight-week stint in the Africa Cup of Nations, despite not playing for the DR Congo. Josh Campbell, Jake Doyle-Hayes, and Owen Bevan (thigh and ankle) are still out.
Although Greg Taylor is back from injury and Cameron Carter-Vickers will resume full training next week, Liel Abada is still not in the right frame of mind to play for Celtic. Due to a fracture in his side of the head, Alistair Johnston will not be returning, while Reo Hatate is still out with calf issues. Brad Lyons (knee), Kyle Magennis (hamstring), and Robbie Deas (fractured cheekbone) are still out of action for Kilmarnock. Trying to turn it around and treating Liel Abada like a son, Brendan Rodgers struggles with the Celtics’ “they won’t have a clue” situation.
Dundee (6) v Ross County (11) – Saturday, 3pm
Michael Mellon (head knock) is out for Dundee, but Curtis Main is back in the gym on Thursday after missing time due to a chest ailment. Charlie Reilly and Diego Pineda Ryan Howley and Antonio Portales will return the following week. Don Cowie, the interim manager of Ross County, does not anticipate having any of his injured players return. While Scott Allardice and Ross Callachan (both knee), Ryan Leak and Dylan Smith (both ankle), and captain Jack Baldwin are still sidelined, Connor Randall recently had surgery.
Hearts (3) v Motherwell (7) – Saturday, 3pm
Craig Halkett, a defender for Hearts, is out with a knee injury he suffered against Airdrie, while Kyosuke Tagawa, a forward, is sidelined by the concussion protocol. Liam Boyce (hamstring), Barrie McKay (knee), and Peter Haring (knee) are still sidelined. Andy Halliday, a midfielder for Hearts on loan, is not available for Motherwell due to a calf injury. Adam Montgomery (hamstring) and Callum Slattery (knee) are still out. Statistics show that Frankie Kent of Hearts will be a strong candidate for signing of the season.
Livingston (12) v St Mirren (5) – Saturday, 3pm
Welcome back, Livingston David Carson following the former Inverness midfielder’s cup tie for the Partick Thistle Scottish Cup victory. Following injuries suffered last weekend by Shaun Donnellan (hamstring), Scott Pittman (Achilles), and Steven Bradley (Achilles), they could be sidelined along with James Penrice (hip), Cristian Montano (hamstring), Jack Hamilton (groin), Kurtis Guthrie (neck), and Michael Devlin (calf). James Bolton, a defender for St. Mirren, is serving the second of a two-game suspension; also, Alex Gogic has not practiced this week; and Greg Kiltie and James Scott have both had Achilles injuries. Jonah Ayunga, Mark O’Hara (thigh), Conor McMenamin (knee), and Ryan Strain (groin) are all out, while youthful players Evan Mooney and Callum Penman enter the team.
St Johnstone (10) v Rangers (2) – Sunday, noon
Midfielder Dan Phillips of St Johnstone, who has missed the last three games due to a muscle strain, may make a comeback. Long-term absentees Ali Crawford (calf), Drey Wright (knee), Ross Sinclair (arm), and Cammy MacPherson (thigh) are still out. Dujon Sterling of the Gers returns from a two-game ban, and defender Leon Balogun will be available with a mask on to protect a facial injury. Rabbi Matondo, on the other hand, will miss the game due to a muscle injury. Kemar Roofe, Danilo (knee), Kieran Dowell, and Abdallah Sima (thigh) are also sidelined.
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