Scotland are heading to Euro 2024 and if cinch Premiership players eligible to pull on the Dark Blue jersey needed an added incentive to force their way into Steve Clarke’s plans then they’ve certainly got it now.
As the focus returns on the club game for GW9, there’s a fresh face in the Ibrox dugout as well as a big Sunday clash in the capital, live on Sky Sports
Kilmarnock v Livingston
Kilmarnock are searching for their first win since August when they host Livingston at the BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.
After scoring his first senior club goal in GW8, the stage is set for David Watson to remain a key part of the Killie midfield especially with Kyle Magennis ruled out for the remainder of 2023. Brad Lyons earned his first Northern Ireland cap during the break and with 42 points, he and Danny Armstrong (49.6 points) have been Killie’s most productive men in the middle so far.
Livingston head to Ayrshire in a good mood after their 2-0 triumph over Motherwell on October 7. Sean Kelly has been a revelation since returning from injury, earning 43 points from just 167 minutes of cinch Premiership action to date.
Bruce Anderson has scored more top-flight goals than any player in Livi’s history and he’ll fancy his chances of adding to his tally, having scored in two of the four meetings between the sides last term.
Rangers v Hibernian
Philippe Clement is the new Rangers manager and Fantasy Football players will get their first look at how he sets his new team up when Hibernian arrive at Ibrox on Saturday.
A double against St. Mirren made James Tavernier GW8’s leading scorer with 52 points but it is Abdallah Sima who has been the shining attacking light for the Ibrox men in recent weeks with a total of 75.2 points.
Hibernian fought back from 2-0 down to earn a derby draw at Tynecastle in GW8 and their best performing outfielder Lewis Miller (72 points) had more to celebrate after earning his first start for Australia.
Elie Youan was the SPFL’s Star Man in the last round of Premiership fixtures and he could be the perfect threat to relieve pressure on Nick Montgomery’s men in Glasgow.
Ross County v St. Mirren
With their trip to Dundee called off due to a waterlogged pitch, we’ll see how well rested the Staggies are when St. Mirren come to Dingwall.
Will Jordan White come into consideration for your team in GW9? He was on the scoresheet when County last beat Saints at home last November.
Saints will be without Ryan Strain following his red card against Rangers, which could open the door for either Thierry Small or James Bolton to secure more first-team minutes.
Keanu Baccus impressed for Australia over the past week and the midfield man will need to be at his best if Stephen Robinson’s team are to return down the A9 in possession of all three points.
Heart of Midlothian v Celtic – Live on Sky Sports
If Sunday’s live match serves up anything close to last season’s seven-goal thriller then viewers are in for a Tynecastle treat.
Fantasy players will be keen for an update on the injury which forced Stephen Kingsley off in the Edinburgh derby, with the full-back proving to be a consistent points scorer so far this term. With Craig Halkett and Nathaniel Atkinson also missing with knocks, it leaves decisions to be made if you have Hearts defenders in your line-up.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have a seven-point lead in the table after their 3-1 win over Kilmarnock before the international window. Reo Hatate’s Man of the Match display could see more Fantasy bosses opt for the Japanese midfielder while Luis Palma has two goals in his last two top-flight appearances.
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