If a drama-filled weekend amid a wild storm wasn't enough, the Scottish Premiership quickly returns with a stacked midweek card packed with intrigue. Derek McInnes seems to have accepted he is in for a fiery welcome when the former Hearts boss takes his Rangers side to Tynecastle, while Jim Goodwin's buoyant Dundee United head to Celtic Park hoping to bring an end to a long-standing curse. And will Marink Reedijk finally get his Hibernian tenure up and running when his struggling side travel to Paisley?
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A visit from one of Glasgow's big two under the lights at Tynecastle is always something to anticipate. Then you throw in the added spice of this one. Just four points behind Rangers, Hearts have a fresh opportunity to show last season wasn't a one-off after collapsing in spectacular fashion at Celtic Park 10 days ago.
The Ibrox side's trip to Gorgie on Wednesday also marks the return of McInnes, who came within minutes of leading the Jambos to a historic title triumph in May. McInnes was prised away by the Ibrox hierarchy after striker Lawrence Shankland had already made the move to Govan, with midfielder Cammy Devlin following thereafter. Injured pair Shankland and Devlin will miss the trip back to Tynecastle, but McInnes, who admitted feeling "guilt" about his exit, can probably expect a frosty reception, despite the wonders he worked during his year at the club.
"Well, the hope would be you get on to the pitch and clap the fans and there's an acknowledgement both ways," McInnes said. "But that's not going to happen. I totally understand it, though." Dundee United are emerging as one of the stories of the season as Goodwin's side continue to thrive following a radical change in style from their manager.
As a coach, and certainly as a player, expansive, continental-inspired football was never really something associated with Goodwin, a Scottish football veteran who has been part of the furniture for more than 16 years. But the former Aberdeen and St Mirren boss has said he has taken inspiration from Jens Berthel Askou's work at Motherwell last season to reshape himself, and his side are lighting up the league after overcoming a difficult start. An exhilarating 3-2 victory over Aberdeen in chaotic weather at Tannadice extended United's unbeaten run to five matches, moving them up to fourth.
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