soccer

Celtic v Hibs, Bartley & Chermiti in focus

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After two dramatic Sunday Scottish Premiership fixtures last weekend, there's lots at stake this coming Sunday.

Here are the names and games to look out for.

Game of the weekend - Celtic v Hibernian (Sun, 15:00 GMT)

Celtic are licking their wounds after a bruising 4-1 Europa League knockout play-off first-leg defeat at home to Stuttgart on Thursday, but their domestic record under Martin O'Neill this season alone should give them plenty of encouragement.

Over two spells as interim manager this season, the 73-year-old Northern Irishman has overseen 10 league games, won nine of them and only dropped points in a draw away to leaders Heart of Midlothian.

Last Sunday's win at Kilmarnock was one of the more dramatic, recovering from two goals down to prevail 3-2 with an added-time goal.

Celtic and Hibs' last meeting was similarly tight, although not decided late on. O'Neill was in charge for that one as the visitors built up a two-goal half-time advantage before the Leith side pulled one back in the second period.

David Gray's side are not only attempting to be the first Scottish team to beat an O'Neill team this season, they are also trying to arrest their fairly discouraging record at Celtic Park.

Hibs have not won there in more than 16 years and have avoided defeat only four times since that January 2010 victory.

And, while they bounced back from an unfortunate Edinburgh derby defeat by beating St Mirren last time out, they have now lost three straight games on the road.

With fourth-placed Motherwell a place and five points in front with a game in hand, Hibs cannot treat visiting a wounded Celtic as a mere free hit if they are to improve their chances of catching the Steelmen.

Player to watch - Youssef Chermiti (Rangers)

A question was posed to Rangers head coach Danny Rohl at his Friday news conference about last Sunday's hat-trick hero, Youssef Chermiti.

It was asked whether the Portuguese striker may need to go from big-game scorer to regular scorer.

Chermiti has found the net seven times this season, with five of those coming in away wins over Celtic and Hearts. Three of his overall tally has come against the league leaders and his only other strike was in Rohl's first league win as Rangers head coach, against Kilmarnock in October.

"As a striker, you always want to score," said Rohl. "He always tries to score.

"He comes in fantastic situations. Now, it's about being clinical."

Sunday represents another chance to become that regular scorer, with Rangers on the road against Livingston, a team they have struggled to overcome so far this term.

Rangers have won 2-1 twice against the bottom-placed side this season and none of their goals have come from strikers.

Manager in spotlight - Marvin Bartley (Livingston)

Two defeats and a draw is Marvin Bartley's record so far as Livingston manager, having stepped up from first-team coach to replace David Martindale, who is now sporting director.

However, both losses were narrow, including a 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park that was settled by a late goal, and there were encouraging signs for Bartley last weekend.

Trailing 2-0 after five minutes away to Dundee, Livi were level by the 19th minute and saw it out for a point.

With Sunday's opponents, Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all engaged in a tussle at the top of the Premiership, the margins in Livingston's next game could be similarly tight.

Bartley and Livingston simply need to start picking up wins, with Kilmarnock starting this weekend with an eight-point advantage over the bottom side and games running out.

A big three points is on offer in West Lothian if Bartley can get that first win and end his side's 27-game run without a victory overall.

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