Old Firm clash moved for TV

The first Old Firm match of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season has been moved to a Sunday lunchtime kick-off to accommodate live television coverage.

Rangers will now host Celtic on October 4 with the match starting at 12.30pm live on Sky.

Sky and ESPN today announced 11 live fixtures from the first eight rounds of matches with most matches being moved to lunchtime kick-offs along with two Monday night games.

Celtic and Aberdeen will kick off the SPL season at Pittodrie at 12.45pm on August 15 in a match broadcast by Sky.

Hearts’ visit to Dundee United has been moved back to Monday, August 17 at the request of ESPN and will take place just three nights before the Edinburgh club begin their Europa League campaign.

The Old Firm are involved in most of the 11 televised fixtures but other highlights include John Hughes’ return to Falkirk with his Hibernian team on August 22.