HERE'S the team news for the weekend's SPFL matches with some crucial points Adam Rooney's signing for Aberdeen and Ryan Stevenson's suspension for Hearts.
I strongly fancy Ross County to beat the Jambos but they are a short price and I'll be on Celtic tomorrow. The other games are close calls but I have a sneaky feeeling for Aberdeen who have won twice at Motherwell this season.
Kilmarnock (9) v Inverness (4)
Kilmarnock are hoping to complete the loan signing of Brighton defender Vitalijs Maksimenko in time for him to face Inverness. Defender Ismael Bouzid could return from a knee injury after playing for the Under-20s in midweek. Darren Barr is out long-term following hip surgery while winger David Silva will miss out with a knee injury.
Ross Draper and Gary Warren return from suspension for Inverness, while winger Marley Watkins is nearing a return to fitness and could be involved. James Vincent is pushing for more action after making his comeback from a fractured leg late in last weekend's win at Aberdeen. Captain Richie Foran remains on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
Motherwell (3) v Aberdeen (2)
Motherwell have an unchanged squad, with Simon Ramsden (knee), Lee Hollis (ankle) and Lee Erwin (knee) remaining on the sidelines. Fraser Kerr is pushing for a start after making his comeback from a hamstring injury from the bench at Celtic Park last weekend, while Under-20s midfielder Dom Thomas could join the squad.
Ross County (10) v Hearts (12)
Ross County midfielder Stuart Kettlewell serves the second of his three-match ban while defender Steven Saunders remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Right-back Mihael Kovacevic left the club on Wednesday.
Hearts could be without Jamie Hamill (hamstring) as well as Ryan Stevenson (suspended), but midfielder Scott Robinson returns from a ban while Jamie Walker and Jason Holt remain on the sidelines as they recover from suffering foot fractures.
St Mirren (8) v Partick (11)
Striker Stephane Bahoken remains a doubt for St Mirren. The on-loan French frontman made his Buddies debut against the Jags back in August but could miss this match due to a thigh strain. Meanwhile, defender David Barron has been released while Kenny McLean (knee) and Gary Teale (groin) are not expected back until early February.
Goalkeeper Scott Fox could return to action for Partick after recovering from a heel injury. Fox missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock and 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone as Paul Gallacher was required to deputise, but should be joined in the starting line-up by Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and Stuart Bannigan as they return from suspension. Only long-term absentees Isaac Osbourne (ankle) and Sean Welsh (groin) will miss out.
Hibernian (7) v Celtic (1) (Sun)
Hibs' defenders Paul Hanlon (thigh) and Ryan McGivern (hamstring) will both miss out. Midfielder Scott Robertson is suspended for the Sunday lunchtime encounter but Daniel Handling has overcome a heel injury. Manager Terry Butcher revealed this week that Kevin Thomson and Tim Clancy, who have been unable to work their way into his plans, were also missing through injury.
New midfield signing Stefan Johansen is added to the Celtic squad but defender Adam Matthews will be out for at least a couple more weeks with a calf complaint. Forward Georgios Samaras will return from a hamstring injury. Mikael Lustig (hip), Beram Kayal (foot) and Steven Mouyokolo (Achilles) remain out.
Dundee Utd (5) v St Johnstone (6) (Mon)
Dundee United will welcome back teenagers John Souttar and Ryan Gauld following their Spanish holiday. The highly-rated duo were ordered to recharge their batteries on a sunshine break by boss Jackie McNamara but return for the clash with Saints. Winger Chris Erskine has rejoined Partick on loan for the rest of the season though while frontman Brian Graham remains out with an ankle injury. Defender Gavin Gunning is a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Former Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo could make his St Johnstone debut after joining the Perth club until the end of the season. Goalkeeper Alan Mannus and defender Tam Scobbie are suspended for their part in a brawl against Hearts but Steven Anderson is free to play after winning his appeal against a red card. Left-back Brian Easton is likely to return following a hamstring injury while midfielder Murray Davidson and striker Steven McLean (both knee) remain on the sidelines.
And here are some weekend specials from McBookie you might like.
Celtic are closing in on a couple of club records following their recent run of eight league games without conceding a goal and nine domestic games in total. The current club records are 10 clean sheets in the league (1913-14 and 1921-22) and 13 overall (1913-14). McBookie.com is offering 3-1 they will manage 11 league games in a row and 8-1 they will make it 14 in all domestic competitions.
If no games are cancelled Celtic will break the League record if they don’t concede a goal up until St Mirren and the domestic record against St Johnstone on February 15.
Another club looking to break a club clean sheet record are Falkirk who are currently on a run of not conceding a goal in 467 minutes – the current record sits at 623 minutes. McBookie.com are offering 5-1 the club will go the next two games with a clean sheet.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Roma like John Souttar and Ryan Gauld alot. Looks like an offer in Summer will come via Rome to Dundee.
Oor man, you name them – Real Madrid, Man Utd, Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal, Celtic – they’ve all been linked with the boys, especially Gauld who seems to be the hottest prospect Scottish football has had for years.
Yep, id like to see them at Roma as they will get a chance. They wont be reduced to the bench. Garcia will play them and let them learn. Its great for scottish football and the national team and the romans will love them.
Cannot see them moving to Italy they will be bigger bids from uk clubs and the boys will prefer to stay here for a few more years at least I reckon.