After two contrasting Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and mixed midweek fortunes for Scotland’s three European representatives, it is back to Premiership business with four games on Saturday and two on Sunday.
Of course, it is worth recalling that, despite Celtic’s 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen to reach the League Cup final, the sides remain unbeaten and only separated by goal difference at the top of the league table.
Here are a few things to watch over the weekend:
Game of weekend – Kilmarnock v Celtic
Having swept aside the Dons in that semi-final – then RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League – Celtic once more look a relentlessly potent force.
If Brendan Rodgers had failed to convince some last season despite eventually cantering to the league title, his side’s recent scintillating performances are helping put to bed unfavourable comparisons with Celtic under predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Yes, there was the 7-1 thrashing away to Borussia Dortmund, but they have shrugged off that embarrassment by going seven games unbeaten since.
Albeit one of those was Aberdeen’s two-goal fightback to draw at Celtic Park, it has culminated in their two most impressive displays this season.
Indeed, it is 25 games since they last lost domestically, against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle in March, and they head to Rugby Park on Sunday having won all five away league games this season.
Celtic eased to a 4-0 win on Kilmarnock’s visit to Glasgow in August and handed out a 5-0 thrashing on their last trip to Ayrshire in May, all of which does not suggest Derek McInnes’ side will offer much resistance this time either.
However, Kilmarnock are unbeaten in four at home and will take heart from their last Rugby Park outing – when a single goal accounted for the other side of the Old Firm to heap pressure on Rangers manager Philippe Clement and send McInnes to the top of the bookmakers’ odds as the Belgian’s likely successor.
Indeed, Celtic headed home beaten in their other two visits last season – once in the Premiership and once in the League Cup – as well being held to a draw at Celtic Park.
We could be in for some post-Bonfire Night fireworks.
Player to watch – Vaclav Cerny (Rangers)
Who starts for Rangers as they entertain Heart of Midlothian on Sunday will be almost as intriguing as the game and result.
Long-time captain James Tavernier was dropped to the bench for Thursday’s Europa League draw with Olympiakos – and then Neraysho Kasanwirjo was preferred as a replacement right-back for Dujon Sterling during the second half.
Clement put the decision down to managing the game time of the ageing Englishman – and needing more than one captain, with goalkeeper Jack Butland handed the armband.
However, it has led to speculation about Tavernier’s future in the side given his legendary goal and assist contributions are no longer outweighing his oft mentioned defensive frailties amid a difficult start to the season for his side.
It is Vaclav Cerny who has picked up the baton as Rangers’ most potent attacking force.
Clement was advised by his medical team against using the Czech Republic winger in so many consecutive games earlier in the season, but it would be hard to leave out someone who has scored four goals in his five home appearances in the Premiership, including three in his last two.
Especially so given Hearts have held Rangers to draws in their latest two meetings and arrive having earned praise for their performance despite losing 2-0 at home to Heidenheim in the Conference League.
They have also accumulated seven points in four league games under Neil Critchley – as many as the previous 12 before he was appointed head coach.
With or without Cerny and Tavernier, however, third-top Rangers will start strong favourites against the second-bottom side given they have won seven in a row at home domestically this season and are unbeaten in 16 meetings against Hearts, winning 12, both overall and at Ibrox.
Managers in spotlight
It comes with the territory these days that you can look at all six Premiership fixtures this weekend and make a case for at least one manager in each being under particular pressure.
Probably part from Tannadice, where Dundee United host Ross County after both picked up creditable away draws last time out.
Simo Valakari heads to Motherwell on Saturday with no concerns about his job, but the Finn will be keen to avoid a third straight defeat that would undermine the feelgood factor that accompanied his switch from Riga to become St Johnstone manager last month.
Similarly, and at the same time, Dundee arrive at Pittodrie, where Jimmy Thelin faces the first test of his ability to lift Aberdeen from a major disappointment after their 16-game unbeaten run since the Swede arrived from Elfsborg came to a crashing halt at the hands of Celtic at Hampden.
Dundee’s comeback from two goals down to beat Kilmarnock 3-2 last weekend will not have helped Derek McInnes maintain his position as the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Rangers manager should Clement lose his job.
Shortly after McInnes looks to improve his CV against Celtic on Sunday, Clement will be hoping to build on Sunday’s League Cup semi-final win over Motherwell and Thursday’s creditable draw with Olympiakos in Piraeus – and further dissipate talk of a crisis at Ibrox.
However, perhaps the most unique challenge facing a manager comes at Easter Road on Saturday, when Stephen Robinson looks to avoid a fourth consecutive away defeat with a St Mirren squad coming to terms with their latest off-field misdemeanours.
Having parted company with defender Shaun Rooney following an assault charge, this week they terminated Kevin van Veen’s loan from Groningen after the striker appeared in court charged with domestic abuse, while left-back Jaden Brown is awaiting sentence for driving offences.
Visiting a Hibs side sitting bottom of the table with head coach David Gray under pressure after a run of six games without a win could be welcome relief considering they won on both their visits to Paisley last season.