Scottish Premiership midweek preview: pressure on managers and Edinburgh derby
The piece previews the midweek Scottish Premiership fixtures, noting that several managers are under pressure. It highlights the Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibs, and discusses Celtic's recent form after a heavy Champions League defeat.
The midweek slate arrives amid a compressed transfer window, with Scotland’s deadline delayed to Thursday evening. That leaves Hearts and Hibs preparing for their derby without the chance to finalize squad moves beforehand, while other clubs can still tweak rosters after Wednesday’s matches. Celtic’s 5-1 loss to LASK in a Champions League qualifier has sharpened scrutiny on Martin O’Neill, even though his side tops the league with five wins from six. Aberdeen, meanwhile, have not won at Celtic Park in 14 visits, and their last league victory there came via a penalty shootout in the 2025 Scottish Cup final.
Elsewhere, Dundee’s Steven Pressley has never beaten St Johnstone as a manager, losing all three meetings while at Falkirk in 2009-10. Kilmarnock’s Neil McCann faces the most acute pressure after consecutive heavy home defeats, with only a derby win over Ayr United interrupting a poor run. St Mirren, however, have lost just once in their last five outings, offering McCann little comfort.
This round of fixtures could reshape early-season momentum, with several clubs already questioning their managers’ futures. A poor result for Kilmarnock or Celtic may intensify fan unrest and affect transfer decisions before Thursday’s deadline. The Edinburgh derby carries local pride and could influence both teams’ confidence heading into a congested schedule. While no single match decides a season, these games may set the tone for managerial stability and squad morale, with supporters and boardrooms watching closely.