Celtic to kick-off at Dunfermline

Celtic will open the defence of the Scottish Premier League title by playing host to Dunfermline on Saturday August 3.

Rangers manager Alex McLeish will take his side to Kilmarnock.

However, the Old Firm will not renew hostilities until Sunday October 6 at Parkhead.

The return fixture at Ibrox is planned for Saturday December 7, although this is likely to be put back 24 hours.

The pair clash again at Celtic Park in a game scheduled for Saturday March 8 2003.

SPL newcomers Partick Thistle have been handed a home game for the opening day of the season when Dundee United are the visitors to Firhill.

In other opening day games, Dundee entertain Hearts and Aberdeen must travel to Hibernian.

Motherwell will journey to Livingston, who will be hoping to start re-enacting their heroics of last season at Almondvale on the opening day of the campaign.

The first Edinburgh derby of the season takes place at Tynecastle on August 10 - the second Saturday of the season.

But Celtic must take the long trek to Aberdeen on the same day as Rangers play host to Dundee in the first Ibrox SPL game of the season.

The first ’other’ Glasgow derby of the season takes place at Firhill on August 24 when Partick Thistle play host to Martin O’Neill’s Celtic.

The two Tayside clubs clash for the first time at Tannadice on August 31.