Scottish Premiership: Talking points as international break looms

Celtic bounced back from defeat by Falkirk with a stirring 3-2 victory at home to Besiktas in the Europa League.

Earlier on Thursday, injury ravaged Hearts lost 3-1 to Thun in Switzerland.

As such, both Scottish sides play their Premiership fixtures on Sunday.

Rangers’ result the night before will either offer encouragement or added pressure, with leaders Celtic four points clear of Rangers and the same margin of points between second place and Hearts as things stand.

With one win now in seven games and with 10 first-team players missing on Thursday, Wouter Vrancken and his squad are desperate for the respite provided by the international break.

First, though, the must host in-form Falkirk, who are bidding for five wins in a row. The Bairns’ first league win of the campaign was at home to Hearts back in mid-September. They have seldom looked back.

By half-time at Tynecastle, Celtic will be getting ready to kick off against Kilmarnock. Misfiring Kasper Hogh’s only three Celtic goals so far came in a 5-1 win at Rugby Park back in August.

Fellow summer signing Camilo Duran has done most of the scoring for Celtic since, including a double (a Duran Duran if you will) against Besiktas.

Whoever starts in attack for the hosts, second-bottom Killie will have their work cut out to improve a run of one win in six outings.