Scottish Premiership: Rangers face Motherwell, live on Sky & Celtic host St Johnstone as part of full card

There is a full Scottish Premiership card to look forward to on Sunday - here's what to look out for at both ends of the table...

Rangers head to Motherwell desperate to make amends for their shock Boxing Day defeat at St Mirren.

Philippe Clement's side now trail Celtic by 12 points with the Old Firm clash looming on January 2 at Ibrox.

 

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell is expecting a tough challenge from Rangers on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, despite their surprise defeat to St Mirren

Motherwell go into the match on the back of a 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park, but know a victory could see them move back up to fifth in the table.

Celtic are runaway leaders in the Premiership and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run by piling more misery on bottom side St Johnstone.

Brendan Rodgers' side put four past Motherwell despite not being at their best and the manager could ring the changes again as he also thinks ahead to their New Year trip to Ibrox.

 

Highlights from the William Hill Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Celtic

Thirty-three points separate the teams ahead of the game with the Perth side falling back to the foot of the table with a 2-1 defeat at home to Dundee United.

Simo Valakari's side have lost seven of their last nine league games - the new boss was watching from the stand when they lost 6-0 to the Hoops back in September.

Can Hearts recover from derby defeat?

 

Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts of Midlothian and Hibernian

Hearts supporters remain unconvinced by head coach Neil Critchley and their Edinburgh derby defeat to Hibs will have done nothing to ease the pressure with the club only two points off the foot of the table.

They have won just two of their last six games but a victory against Ross County would see them move above their hosts into to 10th spot.

The Staggies ended a run of four defeats with an impressive 3-0 win away to Dundee as they look to avoid a third season in the relegation play-offs.

It ended 1-1 when the sides met at Tynecastle Park earlier this season with the Jambos losing just one of their last 16 Scottish Premiership games against County.

Will Aberdeen return to winning ways?

 

No one expected Aberdeen to maintain their unbeaten run all season, but their slump to seven games without a win is quite the decline from their blistering start under Jimmy Thelin.

 

The Dons, who remain third, will be determined to stop the slump in their final match of 2024 to stop Dundee United edging nearer to them.

United have lost their last three league games against Aberdeen, but will go into the match with confidence after beating St Johnstone on Boxing Day.

Hibs' dismal start to the campaign looks to behind them as they host an in-form Kilmarnock aiming for their fourth straight league win.

St Mirren know they have to make their late win against Rangers count when they return to action against Dundee.