The latest round of fixtures in the Scottish Premiership provided plenty of drama, with several key talking points emerging across the division.
Here are five things we learned from this SPFL weekend.
Callum McGregor continues to lead by exampke at Celtic
Callum McGregor continues to be the driving force for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers. The Hoops’ captain is not just a player but the inspiration at the heart of the Celtic team.
In a season where Celtic are looking to assert their dominance once more, McGregor’s influence cannot be overstated. His ability to dictate the tempo of games, coupled with his tactical awareness, ensures that Celtic maintain control in midfield battles.
This weekend, McGregor’s leadership was on full display against St Mirren as he rallied his teammates and set the standard both on and off the ball – as well as opening the scoring with an impressive strike inside the opening three minutes.
As long as McGregor is pulling the strings, Rodgers’ side will remain the side to beat in the title race.
Aberdeen Under Jimmy Thelin Look Formidable
Aberdeen’s appointment of Jimmy Thelin is beginning to pay dividends, as the Dons are starting to look like a team to be reckoned with in the SPFL. Thelin, who took over with a reputation for building resilient sides, has injected a newfound confidence and tactical discipline into the squad.
This weekend’s performance at home to Kilmarnock was another step in the right direction, as Aberdeen showcased their defensive solidity and attacking prowess to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Thelin’s Aberdeen are well-organised, difficult to break down, and increasingly clinical in front of goal. If they continue on this trajectory, the Dons could be genuine challengers for a return to European football next season.
Rangers Click Into Gear with a Hammering of Ross County
Rangers sent a statement of intent this weekend with a commanding 6-0 victory over Ross County. After a somewhat sluggish start to the season, Philippe Clement’s side finally clicked into gear, displaying the attacking flair and defensive stability that had been lacking in their previous outings.
This was a performance that will give Rangers fans hope that the team can sustain a title challenge against a fast starting Celtic side. The goals flowed, and the defence held firm—exactly the response Clement would have wanted after a mixed start.
Consistency will be key for Rangers as they look to build momentum from this result ahead of Sunday’s derby match away at Celtic Park.
Lennon Miller Continues to Shine at Motherwell
Lennon Miller’s stock continues to rise at Motherwell, as the young midfielder delivered another impressive performance this weekend as his side defeated Hearts by three goals to one.
Miller has quickly become one of the standout young talents in the SPFL, combining pure technical skill with composure on the ball, vision, and an ability to break up play.
As the season progresses, Miller’s influence is likely to grow even further, making him one to watch not just for Motherwell fans, but for anyone keeping an eye on Scotland’s emerging talents.
Hearts and Hibs Continue Shaky Starts to the Season
The struggles of Edinburgh’s big two has been one of the ongoing narratives of the opening weeks of the SPFL season.
Both clubs have had inconsistent starts, and this weekend was no different, with neither side able to secure the results they desperately needed. Hearts lost away at Motherwell while Hibs squandered victory at home to Dundee to draw 2-2.
For Hearts, the lack of cutting edge in attack remains a concern, while Hibs continue to struggle with defensive frailties and a lack of consistency across all areas of the pitch.
Hearts will now turn their attention to the Europa League playoff second leg with Viktoria Plzeň. If they can overcome the 1-0 first leg deficit then things will be rosy at Tynecastle again. If not, then Steven Naismith will need to find a consistent level of performance and results ahead of – what would then be – Europa Conference League league phase action.
Callum McFadden 