Midweek Excitement in the Scottish Premiership: Key Matches to Watch
After an eventful weekend wrapped in stormy weather, the Scottish Premiership is back with a thrilling lineup of midweek matches that are bound to captivate.
Derek McInnes is bracing for a heated reception as he leads his Rangers squad to Tynecastle, where former club Hearts will be eager to prove they’re not a one-hit wonder. Meanwhile, Jim Goodwin’s upbeat Dundee United will venture to Celtic Park, hoping to break a long-standing jinx.
And what about Marink Reedijk? Will he manage to kickstart his Hibernian tenure as his side heads to Paisley?
McInnes carries a sense of 'guilt' regarding his departure from Hearts to take the reins at Rangers. Just four points behind Rangers, Hearts will be looking for redemption following a disappointing outing at Celtic Park a week ago.
This Wednesday's clash also marks McInnes’ return to Gorgie, where he narrowly missed guiding Hearts to a historic title victory last season. The summer saw him switch to Ibrox, bringing striker Lawrence Shankland along, with midfielder Cammy Devlin following suit.
Unfortunately for McInnes, both Shankland and Devlin will miss this trip due to injuries, but he anticipates a chilly atmosphere, despite the positive impact he had during his tenure at Hearts.
"The hope would be to get on the pitch and clap the fans, but I know that might not happen. I get it," McInnes admitted.
On the other hand, Dundee United is making headlines as Goodwin's side flourishes after embracing a bold new playing style. Known more for traditional Scottish football during his playing days, Goodwin has taken a page from Jens Berthel Askou’s book to reshape his team.
After a thrilling 3-2 win against Aberdeen in tough conditions at Tannadice, United is on a five-match unbeaten streak and now sits fourth in the league. However, they face a true test with a trip to Celtic Park.
Goodwin has had some success against Celtic, winning two of his last three matches against them, but both victories came at home. Celtic are a daunting opponent, boasting an incredible 51-match unbeaten streak at home against United in all competitions, dating back to 1992.
As the Irishman prepares his team, he acknowledges the challenge ahead but encourages his players to embrace the occasion, recalling his own beginnings in Scottish football.
Meanwhile, Reedijk is feeling the heat after Hibs' narrow loss to Celtic left them at the bottom of the table. However, he sensed a positive response from fans after the match, indicating that progress is being made.
Former Hibs midfielder Kevin Thomson is optimistic about Reedijk’s potential to turn things around. The team heads to face St Mirren, who recently ended their own losing streak with a win against Dundee.
Historically, Hibs have fared well at St Mirren, losing just twice in their last 14 visits. But doubts linger among fans about whether Reedijk can steer the club back on course.
A controversial tactical shift during Sunday’s game saw centre-back Grant Hanley pushed up as a striker, raising eyebrows among supporters. Reedijk insists such moves won’t be repeated and is focused on continuing the progress he believes is underway.
"The atmosphere in the club is positive, and we’re showing signs of improvement," Reedijk noted. "We definitely need a win to ease the pressure, but I’m confident results will come."
