Celtic to open against St Mirren

Celtic open up their Scottish Premier League defence with a home game against Gus MacPherson's St Mirren.

Walter Smith's Rangers side start with a tough away fixture against Falkirk, with the first Old Firm encounter at Celtic Park on 30 August.

Motherwell, who finished third last season, begin with a visit to Hearts. Aberdeen entertain Inverness CT.

Promoted side Hamilton start the season at home to Dundee United and Kilmarnock take on Hibernian at Rugby Park.

The following Saturday, Gordon Strachan takes his Celtic side to Tannadice to face Dundee United.

Our strenuous pleas to the league for a reduction in the level of back-to-back home and away games have been heeded

Hibs will also entertain Falkirk on Saturday 16 August and Inverness take on Hamilton.

Motherwell face Aberdeen at Fir Park, Rangers entertain Hearts and St Mirren host Kilmarnock.

The first Edinburgh derby of the new season will take place on 18 October at Easter Road.

Aberdeen managing director Duncan Fraser thought the fixtures were more consistent for the coming season.

"From an Aberdeen perspective, the fixtures are far more balanced than they have been in recent seasons and it would certainly appear that our strenuous pleas to the league for a reduction in the level of back-to-back home and away games have been heeded," he said.

Opening weekend fixtures - Saturday 9 August

Aberdeen v Inverness CT
Falkirk v Rangers
Hearts v Motherwell
Kilmarnock v Hibs
Sunday 10 August
Celtic v St Mirren

Monday 11 August
Hamilton v Dundee Utd