Bhoys make immediate return to Fir Park

Celtic have been told they must begin the new campaign at the ground where last season’s title dream sensationally died just two minutes short of glory.

The Gordon Strachan era begins in earnest on Saturday July 30 when the Hoops make the short journey east to Motherwell’s Fir Park Stadium.

That was the venue on the final day of last season when Celtic, then under Martin O’Neill, knew that victory would see them clinch the title whatever rivals Rangers achieved at Hibernian.

A Chris Sutton goal looked to have made that a formality but two strikes from Well’s Scott McDonald in the final two minutes handed the Bank of Scotland Premier League crown to Rangers, who had won 1-0 at Easter Road.

Strachan also faces an early Old Firm derby baptism when he takes his side to Ibrox on Saturday August 20, although that match is likely to be moved to the following day for television coverage.

That is only the fourth fixture of the new campaign and will be a fascinating tussle against his former Aberdeen and Scotland team-mate Alex McLeish, who has won two of the last three titles.