SM
Real Madrid vs AC Milan: 15 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Celtic begin bid for ninth successive Premiership title at home to St Johnstone

:Headline: Celtic begin bid for ninth successive Premiership title at home to St Johnstone: ID:362579: from db_amp
Fixtures for the forthcoming campaign were released on Friday morning.

Celtic will kick-off their quest for a ninth straight Ladbrokes Premiership title against St Johnstone on August 3.

Fixtures for the forthcoming campaign were released on Friday morning by the Scottish Professional Football League.

And they see Neil Lennon's side host Saints at Parkhead as they set off on their attempt to equal a feat only previously achieved by Jock Stein's Hoops of the late 1960s and early 1970s and the 1990s Rangers team bossed by Walter Smith.

Jock Stein guided Celtic to nine straight league titles between 1966 and 1974 (PA)

Celtic have swept all aside over the last three years on their march to an unprecedented triple treble and the prospect of a 10th title in a row will be tantalisingly close if they can keep their winning run up over the next 12 months.

However, Rangers are more determined than ever to bring down their bitter rivals era of dominance.

Steven Gerrard's side get their campaign up and running the following day as they take on Kilmarnock – who will have new boss Angelo Alessio in charge for the first time in domestic competition – at Rugby Park.

The first Old Firm battle of the new term could be vital in shaping the title race and it is scheduled for Ibrox over the fourth weekend on August 31, although all dates are subject to change for television broadcast purposes.

Gers head to Celtic Park on December 29, while the third derby is back at Ibrox over the weekend of March 14. The fourth and final league meeting between the Glasgow giants will likely take place at Parkhead following the top-flight split.

Newly-promoted Ross County will hoist the flag following last year's Championship triumph when they get their season started at home to Hamilton on August 3.

The first Old Firm battle of the season takes place at Ibrox over the weekend of August 31 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Aberdeen – who lost their grip on their 'best of the rest' tag last season after seeing their four-year run of second place finishes come to an end – host Hearts on the opening day while Hibernian will be hoping to kick-on as Paul Heckingbottom shapes up for his first full season in charge as they welcome St Mirren to Leith.

Motherwell travel to Livingston for their opener hoping to be flush with cash from the impending £3.25million sale of David Turnbull to Celtic.

Should the deal go through, Turnbull could be set for an early return to Fir Park, with Celtic due to visit Lanarkshire on match-day two. Rangers will stage their first Ibrox clash against Hibs over the same weekend of August 10.

Easter Road will be the setting for the opening Edinburgh derby showdown between Hibs and Hearts on September 21 with the Tynecastle return set for Boxing Day. The capital rivals meet again in Leith in a midweek card pencilled in for March 4.

The final round of fixtures before the split takes place on April 4, with Aberdeen against hosting Hearts, Celtic travelling to Hibs, Kilmarnock facing Livingston at Rugby Park, Rangers taking on Motherwell in Govan, County welcoming St Mirren to Dingwall and St Johnstone facing Accies in Perth.

amp_article__362579 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-06-21 09:28:07:
html db last update - 2019-06-21 09:28:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Steven Gerrard

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic109102932628
2Aberdeen109102091128
3RangersRangers10613158719
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd114431513216
5Motherwell105141313016
6Dundee113351720-312
7St Mirren123361521-612
8Kilmarnock113351523-812
9Ross County122641018-812
10St Johnstone123181525-1010
11Hearts122371419-59
12Hibernian111551016-68
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .