The two sides meet at Tynecastle on Saturday with Hearts boss Jim Jefferies demanded his side show their character by stopping Killie taking over on top of the table after a sorry showing in the League Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

"I cannot apologise for showing how much the St Johnstone defeat hurt me because I'm ambitious for Hearts to do well and now I don't think we are far from being back to where we were," he said.

Gary Naysmith is likely to slot in at left-back with Rob McKinnon out for a month with a groin injury, but winger Neil McCann is still not ready to return to action.

Kilmarnock may retain Mark Roberts up front with Paul Wright staying on the bench and they have Mark Reilly in the squad following his return to the club from Reading .

Celtic v Dundee

Kerr: Eager to impress

Celtic are in need of a lift after bowing out of Europe against FC Zurich, but will have to manage without eight regular first-teamers.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Gould, defender Marc Rieper and midfield man Craig Burley are among the absentees, but skipper Tom Boyd and Vidar Riseth are available again.

Gould's absence gives Stewart Kerr his first start of the season amnd the former Scotland under-21 international is determined to stake a claim to being the regular choice of coach Jozef Venglos.

"Once you are in the first team you want to stay there and it was hard to take last season, but now I am back and have to try to take my chance to impress," said Kerr.

"It should be remembered that what happened to Jonathan getting injured happened to me - it was unfortunate, but these things happen in football."

Dundee expect striker Eddie Annand and 'keeper Robert Douglas to be fit, but Dariusz Adamczuk is still suspended. James Grady and Darren Magee are added to the squad.

Aberdeen v Dunfermline

The pressure will be on at Pittodrie with the two dies locked together at the foot of the table with just 11 points apiece from 12 matches.

Aberdeen welcome back Russell Anderson, but defender Jamie Buchan is ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in the draw against Motherwell.

The Pars are seeking only their second win of the season but Marc Millar and Craig Faulconbridge are both rated doubtful after being unable to train this week due to illness.

Derek Ferguson or Gavin Johnson could come into their starting line-up.

Dundee United v Motherwell

United won both home games against 'Well last season but will field a depleted team against the improving visitors.

Midfielder Jim Paterson joins Neil Duffy and Andy McLaren on the sidelines after going down with 'flu. But Siggi Jonsson is likely to play despite chipping two teeth against Rangers.

Motherwell boss Billy Davies is unlikely to make many changes to the side which drew with Aberdeen but could bring Derek Adams back into attack to partner Owen Coyle.