Are Scotland on the road to recovery after scudding San Marino?
KEITH JACKSON: Let’s not be silly. There’s no point getting hysterical over a 6-0 win against the worst team in the world. But Steve Clarke can be quietly satisfied none the less. He’ll never again have such a stress free 90 minutes in Scotland’s dugout.
CRAIG SWAN: Not really. It was brilliant to get a good win and score six goals but in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t tell us a whole lot.
MICHAEL GANNON: Steady on. This is the worst team in the world we’re talking about, who arrived at Hampden on the back of losing 33 consecutive games. But we have to start somewhere and we might as well start at the bottom and hopefully it gives the players a bit of confidence back to build for the future.
GAVIN BERRY: A six-goal thudding is always pleasant but it would be daft to take any conclusions from whipping the worst team in the world. Clarke needs to show signs of progress in the next two games to give us some hope to cling on to going in to the Euro play-offs in March.
Will we see a change at the Premiership summit this weekend?
KEITH: Nope. In normal circumstances Rangers would have their work cut out at Tynecastle but this Hearts side has forgotten how to function. With Celtic hosting Ross County it will be straightforward wins for the top two.
CRAIG: Unlikely. You would have to be expecting Celtic to win at home and Hearts don’t seem in any form to stop Rangers the following day.
MICHAEL: It will be as you were. Celtic will get back with a bang against Ross County at Parkhead and Rangers won’t let the momentum drop at Tynecastle. There will be twists but not this weekend.
GAVIN: You would normally predict a tough one at Tynecastle for Rangers but not on current Hearts form and Celtic will pick up three points at home so it will be as you were at the top.
If Hearts fail to take anything from Rangers at Tynecastle should Craig Levein’s neck finally be on the block?
KEITH: Probably not. Levein appears to be absolutely bombproof under Ann Budge. What’s another defeat between friends?
CRAIG: No. Why would it? It’s like saying the Sheffield United manager should be sacked for losing to Liverpool. It’s the other results against smaller clubs than Hearts which are the problem.
MICHAEL: It depends on the performance. If Hearts take a doing then Levein is going to be coming under fire. A decent showing and some signs of progress will buy him time but Hearts need to produce a consistent run.
GAVIN: Yes. They haven’t got the bounce from the derby win and booking a Betfred Cup semi final place with those results merely papering over the cracks. It’s hard to see them getting out of this rut.
Will Aberdeen light a fire under their campaign with a win at Fir Park?
KEITH: Yes. Derek McInnes could really do with all three points from this one. A win will take his team to within one point of third placed Motherwell. This pair will be battling to be the best of the rest all season.
CRAIG: There appears no significant reason why they should on current form, but Derek McInnes knows how to dig out a win when he needs one, so maybe yes.
MICHAEL: These are perilous times at Pittodrie and Motherwell is a tough one to come back to. Don’t bet against the Fir Park men adding to the grumbles in the north.
GAVIN: Outside if the Old Firn, the Steelmen are the last side Dons will want to face and the outcome will probably tell us a lot about what this season holds for both sides. Respective form points to a home win but I fancy Aberdeen to dig out a much-needed win.
