Scottish Premiership set for hectic year end – Aberdeen v Celtic showdown, Rangers acid test, Hearts and Hibs pressure
Between now and the end of the year, Scottish Premiership clubs will be packing in as many games as they can.
With just five weeks left in 2024, Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts each have ten games left to play before 2025 rolls around, and European games will just add to their already packed domestic calendar.
The remainder have seven or eight games to play, and since there won’t be a winter break in the new year, it should be a difficult time for teams nationwide. The Scotsman examines how each team is preparing for the final stretch of the year.
Aberdeen
Jimmy Thelin’s club has had an incredible season thus far. By the end of 2024, the Dons would be content to remain second to Celtic on goal differential. Since their planned trip to Ibrox was postponed owing to the Premier Sports Cup final, they have a welcome two-week breather and can devote all of their energies on the league without the distraction of Europe. Celtic’s December 4 visit to Pittodrie is expected to be an exciting one.
The following games are scheduled: November 23 vs. St Mirren (a); November 26 vs. Hibs; December 1 vs. Hearts; December 4 vs. Celtic; December 7 vs. St Johnstone; December 21 vs. Hibs; December 26 vs. Kilmarnock (a); December 29 vs. Dundee United (a).
Celtic
Between now and Hogmanay, Brendan Rodgers’ team appears to be the most prepared to handle the pressures of playing two games per week. The Hoops, who are strong in depth, will try to fight off Aberdeen’s charge and keep their nine-point advantage above Rangers. Two Champions League games that they could win may bring them within striking distance of the knockout rounds, and there’s also the minor issue of the season’s first trophy up for grabs.
November 23 vs. Hearts (a); November 27 vs. Club Brugge (h); November 30 vs. Ross County (h); December 4 vs. Aberdeen (a); December 7 vs. Hibs (h); December 10 vs. Dinamo Zagreb (a); December 15 vs. Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final; December 22 vs. Dundee United (a); December 26 vs. Motherwell (h); December 29
Dundee
At a time when other clubs will be struggling, they will get a two-week vacation thanks to the postponement of their league match against Celtic on the weekend of the Premier Sports Cup final. They will play clubs lower in the table in four of their next seven games.
Future schedule: Hibs (h) on November 23; Kilmarnock (a) on November 30; Motherwell (h) on December 4; Hearts (a) on December 7; Rangers (a) on December 21; Ross County (h) on December 26; and St Mirren (a) on December 29.
Dundee United
After surpassing expectations, the Tangerines now play every other team in the top six in a challenging last seven games of the season, beginning this Saturday at Ibrox against Rangers.
Future games include Rangers (a) on November 23, St Mirren (h) on November 30, Kilmarnock (h) on December 7, Motherwell (a) on December 14, Celtic (h) on December 26, St Johnstone (a) on December 26, and Aberdeen (h) on December 29.
Hearts
Under Neil Critchley, performances have improved, and now that the analytics contract with Tony Bloom has been completed, Gorgie hopes that Hearts may begin to move up the league before the January window. An eager fan base will put pressure on Hearts, but the team will be put to the test with three league matches and seven European matches before the new year, including an Edinburgh derby on Boxing Day.
Future schedule: November 23 against. Celtic (h); November 28 vs. Cercle Brugge (a); December 1 vs. Aberdeen; December 7 vs. Dundee; December 12 vs. Copenhagen; December 15 vs. Kilmarnock; December 19 vs. Petrocub; December 22 vs. St Johnstone; December 26 vs. Hibs; December 29 vs. Ross County (a).
Hibs
Hibs are in such a dangerous position that it seems futile to think about anything other than the upcoming game. Head coach David Grey is now playing each game as it comes, and he might be eliminated after one loss or revived with one victory. It is unclear if he will still be in command in 2025. There is a lot of pressure on.
Future schedule: November 23 against. Dundee (a); November 26 vs. Aberdeen (h); November 30 vs. Motherwell; December 7 vs. Celtic; December 14 vs. Ross County; December 21 vs. Aberdeen; December 26 vs. Hearts; December 29 vs. Kilmarnock (h).
Kilmarnock
Although Derek McInnes’ team has had a mixed season thus far, recent victories over Rangers and Celtic demonstrate that they are still a formidable opponent. Given that they have already received nine red cards this season, including five this season, improving discipline should be the main priority.
Future schedule: November 23 vs. St Johnstone (a); November 30 vs. Dundee (h); December 4 vs. Rangers; December 7 vs. Dundee United (a); December 15 vs. Hearts; December 20 vs. Motherwell; December 26 vs. Aberdeen; December 29 vs. Hibs.
Motherwell
The Steelmen appear to be a strong contender for a spot in the top six. They have only lost once to a team outside of the top three, and their next games against Celtic and Rangers are post-Christmas. Stuart Kettlewell’s club may have success in the following six games against opponents that are primarily below them.
Ross County (a) on November 23; Hibs (h) on November 30; Dundee (a) on December 4; St Mirren (a) on December 7; Dundee United (h) on December 14; Kilmarnock (h) on December 20; Celtic (a) on December 26; Rangers (h) on December 29 are the next games.
Rangers
Can Philippe Clement’s squad cope with 10 games in 36 days? The upcoming period could make or break their season as they look to avoid falling any further behind Celtic and Aberdeen while also attempting to reach the Europa League knockout stages. The Premier Sports Cup final against Celtic – just three days after facing Tottenham at Ibrox – will be the acid test.
Upcoming fixtures: Nov 23 – Dundee Utd (h); Nov 28 – Nice (a); Dec 1 – St Johnstone (a); Dec 4 – Kilmarnock (h); Dec 8 – Ross County (a); Dec 12 – Tottenham (h); Dec 15 – Premier Sports Cup final v Celtic; Dec 21 – Dundee (h); Dec 26 – St Mirren (a); Dec 29 – Motherwell (a).
Ross County
The Staggies have been the draw specialists of the Premiership so far with six stalemates the highest in the division. They are also the lowest scorers in the top flight with just 10 goals in 13 matches. Currently ninth, four points above bottom place, matches against Hibs and Hearts either side of Christmas could be crucial in keeping the Edinburgh clubs at bay.
Upcoming fixtures: Nov 23 – Motherwell (h); Nov 30 – Celtic (a); Dec 8 – Rangers (h); Dec 14 – Hibs (a); Dec 21 – St Mirren (h); Dec 26 – Dundee (a); Dec 29 – Hearts (h).
St Johnstone
With the division-high 27 goals lost in 13 games, the Saints’ biggest issue this season has been keeping the back door shut. Simo Valakari, the new manager, will have had time to concentrate on his defence during the international break. He hopes that this will show in the team’s performance, especially at McDiarmid Park.
Future games include Kilmarnock (h) on November 23, Rangers (h) on December 1, Aberdeen (a) on December 7, St Mirren (h) on December 14, Hearts (a) on December 22, Dundee United (h) on December 26, and Celtic (a) on December 29.
St Mirren
Although the Buddies have fluctuated greatly, a seven-point run in nine games prior to the international break indicates that things may have turned around. They will visit Rangers on Boxing Day and try to hand Aberdeen their first league loss this weekend, but all five of their remaining games appear to be winnable.
The following games are scheduled: Aberdeen on November 23 (h), Dundee United on November 30 (a), Motherwell on December 7, St Johnstone on December 14, Ross County on December 21, Rangers on December 26 (h), and Dundee on December 29.
