With the Outdated Agency in motion on Wednesday, the Scottish Premiership desk can have a well-known look if Rangers could make it 4 successive wins.
The Ibrox outfit host St Mirren, whereas Celtic journey to Perth to tackle St Johnstone.
Derek McInnes' facet seem like discovering their ft after dropping factors of their opening two league outings and falling out of Europe.
In the meantime, Celtic have an ideal home document, bouncing again from a Champions League qualifying trauma in Austria and including an array of latest faces on the finish of the switch window.
The Glasgow rivals meet at Ibrox on Sunday within the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports activities Cup, so how will they heat up for the primary derby of the season?
Rangers v St Mirren (19:45 BST)
Rangers discover themselves trailing third-placed St Mirren on aim distinction, following a vivid begin from the Paisley facet.
Head coach Craig McLeish has earned plaudits for implementing a extra fluid type and he was named Premiership supervisor of the month for August.
"I'm not shocked it's come collectively so rapidly – I get that from the surface it would seem like that," McLeish mentioned.
"There's an inside perception about what we're doing and the work we are able to do on the pitch. It might have been even higher and we have been near it being even higher."
Nonetheless, the Buddies have already been to Ibrox this season and have been soundly thrashed within the Premier Sports activities Cup.
James Penrice loved a energetic Rangers debut that day, scoring one in every of 5 targets and establishing one other.
The left-back has began every sport since, together with central defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez. Whereas the latter is susceptible to the odd wobble, a settled defence has supplied a platform for the latest upturn in outcomes.
Motherwell hardly ever threatened at Ibrox on Saturday as Rangers spurned a number of good alternatives to extend their lead.
That consequence got here after wins over Aberdeen and Falkirk. McInnes says confidence is constructing whereas admitting there may be nonetheless a strain to succeed.
"I don't suppose that ever lifts till you've received a trophy in your hand," he mentioned.
"However I do suppose there's been an excellent really feel concerning the place. What we now have had in latest weeks is simply small steps, encouragement, confidence ranges."
The lack of Lawrence Shankland to damage simply because the striker had discovered his capturing boots is a blow, so Kevin Kelsy might not have the posh of easing himself into his new environment.
Rangers gained the earlier two league video games in opposition to St Mirren by the odd aim however previous to that the guests had an unbeaten streak of 4 on this fixture.
Celtic needed to work arduous for his or her weekend win in Paisley, with McLeish's group spectacular between each bins however missing a killer contact.
St Mirren shall be with out the chunk of Paul Nsio, who can't play in opposition to his guardian membership, and that may very well be telling since Rangers had the run of midfield in that cup tie final month.
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St Johnstone v Celtic (20:00 BST)
Celtic have been removed from their flowing finest on Saturday night however received the job executed after falling behind.
Yang Hyun-jun was the star man, capping an lively show with the decisive end, however the winger is now away with South Korea for the Asian Video games.
His absence will imply a reshuffle however Martin O'Neill could also be reluctant to shift Camilo Duran out huge once more after a run of three targets and two assists in three video games at centre-forward. If he does, on-loan Chelsea striker Shim Mheuka might make his first begin.
Of the six gamers arriving within the remaining 48 hours of the window solely Mheuka and Oliver Sorensen have been used from the bench thus far and it may very well be that Sebastian Tounekti is the protected selection to switch Yang.
Striker Kasper Hogh and left-back Kieran Tierney are additionally in competition after temporary spells out injured.
The champions can count on to face one other facet who deal with possession and enjoying via the phases as St Johnstone hunt a 3rd win on the bounce at McDiarmid Park.
"They need to play soccer as nicely they usually're dedicated," O'Neill mentioned of Celtic's subsequent opponents.
"There's a vitality about them which may be very encouraging. Not dissimilar in lots of elements to what Craig McLeish is doing at St Mirren."
Three of Josh Fowler's 4 targets have are available Perth, whereas native lad Taylor Steven caught the attention along with his crossing from the fitting in victory over Hibs.
Centre-backs Cheick Diabate and Zach Mitchell are a no-nonsense pair who will put their heads the place it hurts, though Saints are but to maintain a league clear sheet.
Head coach Simo Valakari admits they are going to want a level of fortune to proceed their spectacular residence type.
"We have to do our soccer issues so nicely, then on the similar time, we have to earn our luck, as a result of in opposition to Celtic, if you wish to beat them, you want to be a little bit bit fortunate in some moments," the Finn mentioned.
O'Neill was final in Perth as a supervisor 25 years in the past however you don't have to return very far for the latest upset, given a house win over Celtic in April 2025 was among the many uncommon moments of pleasure in a season that led to relegation for St Johnstone.
