Clement’s Ibrox introduction, tasty Tynecastle tussle & Miovski’s home comforts

Sorry to be the party pooper, but it’s high time we put the Euro 2024 qualification celebrations on hold.

The Scottish Premiership is back after an unforgettable international break, during which Scotland secured their spot in Germany next summer without a single win.

If you thought that was absurd, just wait and see what the country’s top-flight football has in store for us this weekend.

Here’s your comprehensive guide to week nine…

Game of the weekend – Hearts vs. Celtic

Brendan Rodgers returns to Tynecastle after over five years as the highlight of the Premiership weekend, with an exciting clash on Sunday afternoon.

Tynecastle has been a mixed bag for the Northern Irishman during his first stint in Scotland. He won three – one of which sealed a league title – and lost two out of five matches at Gorgie.

In fact, those two defeats at Tynecastle account for 25% of Rodgers’ eight Premiership losses as Celtic manager. He emphasized the “difficult” challenge his team will face in the capital this week.

A 4-0 defeat in December 2017 ended an incredible unbeaten run of 69 games under Rodgers, but since then, Hearts have managed only two wins in 22 encounters across all competitions.

With three victories from eight league matches this season, Steven Naismith’s side has shown signs of finding their rhythm but remains inconsistent. A statement performance on Sunday could spark a resurgence, but it will require an immense effort against a Celtic team that has dropped just two points out of a possible 24 this season.

Player to watch – Bojan Miovski (Aberdeen)

Pittodrie Stadium seems to bring out the best in Aberdeen’s number nine, Bojan Miovski.

Miovski has scored 18 out of his 20 Premiership goals at Pittodrie, with all three of his assists also coming in home league games.

There’s no doubt that the North Macedonian striker is the danger man for the Dons. He has already netted eight goals this season, adding to the 18 he scored across all competitions last term.

Miovski has been directly involved in 50% of Aberdeen’s 10 league goals this campaign. However, he couldn’t provide the decisive moment in a goalless draw against bottom club St. Johnstone in the previous match.

Perhaps this indicates an over-reliance on the striker, who exudes the confidence of a player willing to shoulder the burden. Therefore, don’t be surprised if he finds the back of the net again when facing another struggling team this weekend.

Manager in the spotlight – Philippe Clement (Rangers)

Welcome to the wild world of Scottish football, Philippe. Your first challenge: Hibernian at home.

There seems to be something that brings these two teams together whenever a new Rangers manager takes charge at Ibrox.

Michael Beale’s debut resulted in a thrilling 3-2 victory last December. Giovanni van Bronckhorst witnessed Martin Boyle’s hat-trick sending Hibs to the League Cup final a year earlier. Even Mark Warburton’s tenure began with a resounding 6-2 triumph at Easter Road in the 2015 Challenge Cup.

More of the same drama would be delightful on Saturday, but Clement needs results, not chaos.

The Belgian stated at his unveiling earlier this week that he is “not a magician.” However, he will need to work some magic quickly if he wants to close the seven-point gap on Celtic, the current leaders.

A debut win would reduce that deficit to just four points, at least for 24 hours. But he will have to outsmart Nick Montgomery, a recent addition to the Premiership, who remains unbeaten in his first five games as Hibs boss.

A sensational 83-second comeback in the thrilling Edinburgh derby exemplified the character that the new Hibs manager has already instilled. A similar display will be required if they are to take anything from an opponent they haven’t defeated in 19 league meetings.