Premiership Action Returns Amid Key Fixtures
Scotland's Premiership resumes on Wednesday following the Scottish Cup's last-16 weekend, with several significant matches on the schedule. Rangers will visit Motherwell, potentially knowing if they can surpass Heart of Midlothian at the summit, depending on Hearts' derby result against Hibernian the day before.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Celtic are set to host bottom-placed Livingston, aiming to maintain pressure on the league leaders.
Game of Wednesday - Motherwell v Rangers
One of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures in recent months takes place at Fir Park, where Motherwell will host Rangers. The visitors could seize the opportunity to displace Hearts from the top of the table for the first time since September, contingent on Hearts' performance in their derby at Tynecastle.
Danny Rohl's Rangers arrive after an impressive run, having secured 16 points from their last six unbeaten league matches and scoring eight goals against Queen's Park in the recent cup tie. Conversely, Motherwell, currently fourth, have accumulated 13 points in the same period, losing only once, and have garnered praise under Jens Berthel Askou for their dynamic, passing style.
Motherwell's cup fixture against Aberdeen was postponed due to heavy rain, providing them with rest ahead of this encounter. They are on a six-game unbeaten streak across all competitions since a 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox in December.
Rangers have suffered just one loss in their last 12 matches, that being an away defeat to Porto in the Europa League. They have won 10 of those games, including seven of eight league fixtures since the loss to Motherwell.
Rohl acknowledges his squad remains a work in progress since his October appointment and may opt for further changes as he integrates January signings.
Rangers last drew 1-1 at Fir Park in August and have remained unbeaten in their last 16 visits there since a 3-0 defeat in the Premiership play-off second leg in May 2015. Of those 16 matches, 10 were victories. To secure another win, Rangers must overcome Motherwell's strong home defensive record, as the hosts have kept nine consecutive clean sheets since a 2-1 loss to Falkirk in October.
Seven of those clean sheets resulted in wins, including the last five. Achieving a ninth consecutive clean sheet would make Motherwell only the second team after Celtic to accomplish this feat twice in the league during the 21st century.
A victory would bring Motherwell within five points of second-placed Rangers and fuel aspirations for a top-three finish or higher.
Player to Watch - Benjamin Nygren (Celtic)
Benjamin Nygren has been a key figure for Celtic this season, scoring in each of their last four league matches. The Swedish winger, signed from Nordsjaelland, stands out as the club's most successful transfer acquisition this campaign.
The last Celtic player to score in four consecutive league games was Japan's Daizen Maeda in March. Nygren is the first to do so in his debut season since Scott Sinclair in 2016, who went on to score in six successive matches.
Nygren will be confident of extending his scoring streak as Celtic face Livingston, a team he has scored four goals against in just two games, his highest tally against any Premiership side.
Manager in Spotlight - Martin O'Neill (Celtic)
Livingston, positioned at the bottom of the table and six points behind Kilmarnock, have not won a league game in 23 matches since August, marking the longest winless run in the top flight this century. They face a tough challenge at Celtic Park, especially with Martin O'Neill managing Celtic in his 200th game in charge.
O'Neill becomes the sixth Celtic manager to reach this milestone and holds the club record for most wins with 164, surpassing Neil Lennon's 154. Celtic are strong favourites to extend their unbeaten run, which has lasted eight games since O'Neill's interim appointment this season.
Under O'Neill, Celtic have won six of those eight matches, including four at home. Although they trail league leaders Hearts by six points, Celtic possess a game in hand and remain contenders in a three-team title race alongside Rangers and Hearts.
While defensive vulnerabilities persist, Celtic have strengthened their attack with January signings Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu, both of whom have already scored. Kelechi Iheanacho is nearing a return from injury, and the addition of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain further bolsters their offensive options.
Celtic's resilience was evident in their recent Scottish Cup match, where Adamu's stoppage-time equaliser denied Dundee an upset victory in Glasgow.
O'Neill will aim to celebrate his 200th game with a win against Livingston, a side Celtic have dominated at home, remaining unbeaten in 22 matches and winning 19, including the last 10 by a combined score of 30-6 since a goalless draw in October 2021.
