Scottish Premiership: How will clubs respond to Euro disappointments?
Scottish Premiership clubs return to domestic action this weekend following a challenging week of European football.
SNS
The Scottish Premiership returns to a full schedule this weekend after a period where several clubs were focused on European play-off fixtures. Following a difficult week, teams like Rangers, Hibernian, and Motherwell are looking to regroup, while Celtic shift their focus from the Champions League to the Europa League after their exit against LASK.
Champions Celtic host Falkirk on Saturday, aiming to move past their midweek Austrian pain. After conceding five goals in the second leg, the squad face questions about their resilience. Despite their dominant domestic record, captain Callum McGregor and his team will need to prove that their European exit hasn't left them with a lingering hangover as they face a refreshed Falkirk side.
Sunday's highlight is the clash between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie. For the Rangers manager, this match carries extra weight. Still seeking a first league win and coming off a penalty shootout defeat to Jablonec, the pressure is mounting. Aberdeen, conversely, carry momentum from their opening league win and are expected to be the fresher side given Rangers' extended midweek travel and 120-minute effort.
Elsewhere, Dundee and St Mirren look to sustain their strong starts to the season. Both sides have had time to prepare and will host Hibernian and Motherwell respectively. With both visiting teams reeling from painful European exits, it may be the ideal moment for the in-form hosts to solidify their places in the standings.