It is as you were at the top of the Scottish Premiership heading into the second international break, but Falkirk's incredible rise has taken many by surprise.

John McGlynn's side are on a five-game winning run during which they have beaten champions Celtic and ended Hearts' incredible 19-month unbeaten run at Tynecastle Park.

The Bairns are now third in the Scottish Premiership - at the last international break, they were down in 11th after winning just one of their first six games of the season.

McGlynn guided Falkirk to a sixth-placed finish in their first season back in the top flight, but a summer overhaul had even the manager himself questioning what they could achieve this season.

Top-scorer Barney Stewart moved to West Brom for a club-record fee, Calvin Miller joined Hearts and Dylan Tait made the switch to Dundee United.

A host of influential loan players also left, with 17 new players brought in.

Jacob Murrell joined from DC United and appears to have picked up where Stewart left off in Falkirk's attack. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in his 11 league appearances, and was named Premiership player of the month for October.

The last time Falkirk won five consecutive top-flight games was back in 1995. St Johnstone are first up after the league returns - will they continue their outstanding run?

Celtic in crisis?

While it is true to say they have not been at their scintillating best in many games, they are still top of the Scottish Premiership.

Martin O'Neill took the last international break to consider his future after three consecutive defeats in all competitions.

At that stage, they were two points ahead of their Old Firm rivals at the top. Now they are four points clear, albeit having played a game more.

The manager told Sky Sports News after Sunday's 1-0 win against Kilmarnock: "There are things that we can definitely do much, much better. But overall, delighted."

He still remains unsure of his best starting XI but, after a week that brought their first Europa League victory and a return to winning ways in the Premiership, the 74-year-old has a right to feel somewhat content.

After a bit of a shaky start, Rangers appear to be finding their stride under Derek McInnes as he tries to wrestle the title from Celtic again after his final-day heartbreak with Hearts.

They are unbeaten in the Premiership since August, and the disappointment of European failure does bring the advantage of free midweeks.

Hearts were humbled 5-2 by Falkirk on Sunday and Wouter Vrancken did not hold back as he blasted his side as an "embarrassment" after losing "childish goals".

The Bairns were brilliant, the Jambos injury ravaged.

Vrancken was already missing nine senior players, with Malachi Fagan-Walcott forced off in the second half.

Hearts lost six games on their incredible title push last season - in their first 12 matches of this campaign, they have lost four of them.

McInnes was always going to be a tough act to follow at Tynecastle, so is third now the target for the Jambos?

They have played a game less than Falkirk - win that, and that is where they could be.

Aberdeen ready to make a change?

Stephen Robinson has vowed to "keep fighting" at Aberdeen, but the board are meeting to discuss the manager's future after just eight months in charge.

Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Hibs means they are now 11th in the Premiership, managing to pick up just two points since the last international break at the end of September.

The 51-year-old was only appointed as Jimmy Thelin's replacement in March, but a poor summer transfer window under Robinson and new sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel means another change could be imminent.

Aberdeen's fans made no secret of what they want to happen, with boos ringing in Robinson's ears at full-time on Saturday.

Will the Dons board spend the international break looking for a sixth new permanent manager since McInnes left Pittodrie in 2021?