Yahoo Sports Critchley, McGrath and Dundee derby in New Year focus
The Old Firm derby is the only game in town as far as Glasgow - and the title race - is concerned, but the other five Scottish Premiership fixtures on 2 January have plenty of intriguing storylines of their own to start the new year.
Leaders Celtic's trip to face Rangers is not the only city derby, with Dundee hosting neighbours United, while Ross County make the trip along the north coast to visit third-top Aberdeen.
Here are some things to look out for on Thursday away from that Ibrox showdown.
Dundee v Dundee United
The Dundee rivals meet in their first New Year derby since 2016 both on a high after weekend victories that lifted them closer to sides immediately above them in the table.
United will take the short stroll up Tannadice Street buoyed by a stoppage-time winner over Aberdeen that means there is only a three-point gap between themselves and Saturday's faltering third-top visitors.
The Dark Blues, meanwhile, ended a three-game run without a victory by beating St Mirren 2-1 to narrow the gap between themselves and their hosts, as well as sixth-placed Motherwell, to five points.
Following that up with a derby win is therefore vital for Tony Docherty's side if they are to retain hopes of a top-six finish instead of looking behind them to a relegation battle.
Nine points ahead and only a few short months after their return to the top flight, Jim Goodwin's United instead have Dons and European qualification in their sights after a run of one defeat in nine outings.
With both clubs yo-yoing in recent years between the top flight and the Championship, it means Dundee are seeking their first win over United at Dens Park since 2017, while the Tangerines are without a win there since 2014.
The latest three derbies, including August's 2-2 draw at Tannadice, have all finishing level, so it all points to another tight affair in front of a packed stadium out to witness some festive derby fireworks.
Player to watch - Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen)
Jamie McGrath will be relishing the visit of Ross County as the midfielder looks to help end Aberdeen's dismal run of eight games without defeat and three consecutive defeats.
The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland cap has scored six goals in his last six Premiership appearances against the Highland side.
His five in five since joining Aberdeen includes a double in the corresponding fixture exactly a year ago, when the Dons left Dingwall with a 3-0 win.
Having scored five times this season overall, and being the top provider to six Premiership goals - along with Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn and Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller - McGrath will no doubt find himself a marked man by the visitors.
Ending a four-game losing streak with a win in Dundee and draw with Heart of Midlothian, Don Cowie's side will arrive in buoyant mood, but Aberdeen are nine unbeaten against County since a 1-0 loss at Pittodrie in April 2022 and won the reverse fixture by the same score in August.
Manager in spotlight - Neil Critchley (Heart of Midlothian)
Two stoppage-time goals were not the belated Christmas present for which Neil Critchley was hoping as his Hearts side squandered a two-goal lead away to Ross County last time out.
Coming immediately after losing the Boxing Day derby at home to Hibernian, it means the pressure that lifted off the Englishman's shoulders following his side's win over St Johnstone to move themselves above the Saints at the bottom of the table has swiftly returned.
Hosting a Motherwell side who have only lost once in five outings - away to leaders Celtic - and were unfortunate to only draw at home to Rangers last time out is not the easiest of introductions to a new year.
Indeed, the Edinburgh side suffered a 3-1 reverse the last time the sides met at Fir Park in August.
However, Critchley reckoned it was only two "crazy moments" that prevented them leaving Dingwall with only their third win in 12 outings.
Could this be the time for Lawrence Shankland to rediscover his scoring touch considering the Scotland striker has been directly involved in eight goals in his last eight league appearances against Motherwell, scoring six and assisting two?
Or will 17-year-old strike partner James Wilson build on his Dingwall double in a fixture that has failed to produce a draw in 11 meetings since March 2020?
