Scottish Premiership: Stiff Hearts test, cup dress rehearsal & David Watson

Kettlewell is not the only manager to be facing if not a crisis, certainly a few question marks over recent form.

Despite Kilmarnock’s run of five defeats, his side still remain above Dundee and Livingston.

October’s surprise win over Celtic had hinted at better times for the Dark Blues, but that is the only time Steven Pressley’s side have avoided defeat in their latest six outings.

Few will expect Dundee’s fortunes to turn at Easter Road on Saturday, when they face a third-top Hibernian side they have not beaten in 19 visits to Leith since October 2001 and who won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Dens Park in August.

Dundee have faced the most shots (182) and shots on target (72) in the Premiership this season, while only Livingston (23) have conceded more goals than the Dee (22) this term.

David Martindale’s side face an equally uphill task as they visit a fourth-top Rangers side who have won all three league games under new head coach Danny Rohl.

The Premiership’s basement side have gone 11 games without a win, have never won in 25 previous visits to Ibrox and have lost 20 of their 22 meetings since their last win over Rangers in September 2018.

Meanwhile, although St Mirren have a Premier Sports Cup final to look forward to, before then Stephen Robinson has the task of ending a run of just one point from their latest five league games that leaves his side only above third-bottom Kilmarnock on goal difference.

Robinson will be doing well to end that run in Paisley on Saturday in a dress-rehearsal for their trip to Hampden, although Celtic could have a new man in charge to replace caretaker and fellow Northern Irishman Martin O’Neill by the time they head to the national stadium.

The Buddies have lost 12 of their last 14 meetings with Celtic in all competitions since their last league win in September 2022 and the Glasgow side have won on their latest five visits, all by at least two goals.