From a huge game on Wednesday, to an even bigger one on Sunday afternoon. First travels to second when Hearts go to Ibrox to face Rangers.
Derek McInnes’ side won there earlier in the season, for the first time since 2014. They beat Rangers at Tynecastle, too, in a 2-1 win in December.
But, Rohl’s men haven’t lost since then. In fact, they’ve drawn twice and won seven. It’s resurgent form that looks a world away from a team which were once 13 points adrift in the title race under Russell Martin.
“I think it is a pretty good point [against Motherwell] but as Danny Rohl mentioned, there’s a massive game on Sunday [against Hearts] and that starts to look like a must-win,” said former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson.
Celtic will be looking on, crossing their fingers and wishing for a draw.
They’ll be fresh off the back of a game against Kilmarnock down at Rugby Park. The last time they were, they won thanks to a late Kelechi Iheanacho penalty.
They’ll need a better performance than the one against Livingston. Although they peppered the visitors’ goal with shots, the lack of cutting edge will be a worry.
“Celtic were running out of ideas, very predictable, just playing it across, hoping rather than making it happen, and they just got away with it right at the end,” said former keeper Pat Bonner.
“What a huge three points it is for Celtic. They’ll be relieved.”
I’VE found the Loch Ness monster. Big and green, she’s a lot fluffier than I was expecting, plus the marathon bib on her front surprised me a little.
OK, I obviously didn’t find Nessy but I gave it a go – running the Baxters Loch Ness Marathon’s shorter 10k race last autumn.
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The Sun’s Brittany with a fellow runner dressed as NessyCredit: UnknownBeaming Brittany with her Baxters Loch Ness 10k race medalCredit: Unknown
And I’m sure Nessie had stuck her head out of the loch at some point, mystified but impressed by the 11,000 runners taking part in the marathon as well as the 10k and other shorter races on a gorgeous Sunday morning.
The scenery in Scotland is stunning and that’s one of the main draws for this event.
We were lucky enough to be greeted by autumnal blue skies.
‘Nessie’s hungry’
And as I flew down the road with hundreds of other brightly coloured runners, the Scottish humour kept me going.
“Pain is temporary, Strava is for ever,” another declared.
The kilometres ticked by and soon I found myself hurtling down the home stretch, with masses of Scots cheering on the red-faced runners.
Crossing the finish line, I was handed a tote bag of goodies including a tin of Baxters soup – one of the perks of having the famous brand sponsor the event.
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Plus, there was a medal, which is always a good reason to take part in a run while on holiday.
I stayed around and cheered as thousands of other runners made their way over the finish line.
A course record for the full marathon had been set in an impressive two hours and 15 minutes.
Inverness is just a 40-minute bus ride from Urquhart Castle, on the shore of Loch Ness
But I was not just there to watch hundreds of puffing men and women throw themselves across the finish line.
Inverness is just a 40-minute bus ride from Urquhart Castle, on the shore of Loch Ness and, after a shower, I headed off to explore.
The castle ruins hold hundreds of years of history and thanks to a tour guide, I learned how the castle’s medieval lords kept their foes at bay and how, in 562AD, St Columba saved a man from a “water beast” that rose from the depths, in what is widely considered to be the first recorded “sighting” of Nessie.
But legend aside, a young boy on the tour also turned to me and very seriously declared he had spotted Nessie earlier in the year.
Using his hands, he showed how it bobbed up and down in the water, leaving him with no doubt he was just metres from the mythical beast.
Also, if you’re not into running, there’s always cycling. Etape Loch Ness is Scotland’s largest closed-road cycle sportive.
Its riders tackle a 66-mile loop around Loch Ness, starting and finishing in Inverness.
But the 10km run was enough for me.
As I boarded the bus back to Inverness, medal around my neck and legs still buzzing, I knew I’d be back.
Maybe, this year, Nessie will make an appearance.
GO: LOCH NESS
British Airways and easyJet fly from Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton direct to Inverness, from £84 return.
Ardross and Glencairn guest house, Inverness, has rooms from £50 a night. See ardrossglencairn.co.uk.
This year’s Loch Ness Marathon will take place on September 27. Check out lochnessmarathon.com.
