Rangers trail third-placed St Mirren on goal difference after a bright start from the Paisley side. Head coach Craig Mc Leish has earned plaudits for implementing a more fluid style and was named Premiership manager of the month for August. "I'm not surprised it's come together so quickly - I get that from the outside it might look like that," Mc Leish said. "There's an internal belief about what we're doing and the work we can do on the pitch."

However, the Buddies have already been to Ibrox this season and were soundly thrashed in the Premier Sports Cup. James Penrice enjoyed a lively Rangers debut that day, scoring one of five goals and setting up another. The left-back has started each game since, along with central defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Emmanuel Fernandez. While the latter is prone to the odd wobble, a settled defence has provided a platform for the recent upturn in results.

Celtic had to work hard for their weekend win in Paisley, with Mc Leish's team impressive between both boxes but lacking a killer touch. Yang Hyun-jun was the star man, capping an energetic display with the decisive finish, but the winger is now away with South Korea for the Asian Games. His absence will mean a reshuffle but Martin O'Neill may be reluctant to shift Camilo Duran out wide again after a run of three goals and two assists in three games at centre-forward.

St Johnstone will host Celtic at Mc Diarmid Park, with three of Josh Fowler's four goals having come in Perth. Centre-backs Cheick Diabate and Zach Mitchell are a no-nonsense pair who will put their heads where it hurts, although Saints are yet to keep a league clean sheet.