Big game at Ibrox, spotlight on Rodgers & stardust at Pittodrie?

The Scottish Premiership returns pinch a bang pursuing a affirmative world break for nan nationalist team.

A immense crippled astatine Ibrox headlines nan play schedule, while a number of deadline-day signings are group to get their first sensation of action astatine their caller clubs.

One subordinate stands retired for america astatine Pittodrie, and we are sparkling our head spotlight successful nan visiting dugout astatine Rugby Park connected Sunday.

Hearts investor Tony Bloom raised eyebrows past period erstwhile he claimed nan Tynecastle nine are successful a position to divided nan Old Firm this season.

A uncommon triumph astatine winless Rangers connected Saturday would surely make a statement.

Derek McInnes' side, who will beryllium without grounds signing Eduardo Ageu and defender Frankie Kent, recreation to Govan pinch 10 points from 4 games, while Russell Martin's men person opened pinch 4 consecutive draws.

Rangers looked much organised successful a dreary Old Firm stalemate past clip out, but their attacking output will person to improve.

Thelo Aasgaard will bounce backmost from Norway work aft a remarkable four-goal display disconnected nan chair successful an 11-1 triumph complete Moldova.

And Martin tin look to deadline-day signing Youssef Chermiti, signed from Everton for a woody reported to beryllium worthy £10m, to springiness his squad much cutting separator aft they grounded to registry a changeable connected target against Celtic.

Stretching backmost to past season, nan Ibrox broadside person grounded to triumph their past 5 convention matches, their longest winless tally successful nan apical formation successful 20 years.

But they are unbeaten successful 18 meetings pinch Hearts, who person gone 17 visits to Rangers without occurrence since winning 2-1 successful nan Championship successful August 2014.

Something's gotta give.

Brendan Rodgers' pre-match property convention is possibly much anticipated than Celtic's lucifer connected Sunday.

The Northern Irishman has not faced questions from nan media since a hugely underwhelming deadline time was followed by much instrumentality fury directed towards nan club's board.

With a late introduction protest planned astatine Rugby Park, it will beryllium intriguing to perceive nan manager's reaction, but he will besides beryllium keen to attraction connected what looks group to beryllium a tricky travel to Kilmarnock, who are unbeaten but winless aft 4 games.

Across some spells arsenic Celtic boss, Rodgers has suffered conclusion astatine Rugby Park connected 4 occasions, but nan champions person won 16 of their past 19 meetings against nan Ayrshire team.

Although supporters of nan Parkhead broadside stay disenchanted astatine their club's transportation window, Rodgers will person caller faces Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho to telephone connected to effort to amended a blunt attack.

Aberdeen spell into Saturday's location fixture pinch Livingston rooted to nan ft of nan table, losing 3 consecutive games without scoring.

However, spirits raised among nan Dons support pinch a connection extremity to nan transportation window.

Striker Kevin Nisbet was brought backmost connected a imperishable deal, pinch Scotland team-mate Stuart Armstrong besides joining.

But possibly nan astir eye-catching acquisition crossed nan convention connected deadline time was nan indebtedness signing of Bologna winger Jesper Karlsson.

The 27-year-old, who has 14 caps for Sweden, excelled nether head Jimmy Thelin astatine Elfsborg earlier earning a move to AZ Alkmaar.

After scoring 46 goals and assisting 33 pinch nan Dutch top-flight side, nan guardant sealed a reported £10m move to Serie A 2 years ago.

Things person not rather worked retired astatine Bologna for Karlsson, who spent nan 2nd half of past play connected indebtedness astatine Lecce.

But, connected paper, nan Swede still has nan imaginable to beryllium an outstanding signing for a Dons broadside successful hopeless request of attacking inspiration.