Scottish Premiership fixtures: Celtic start title defence at Hearts

Celtic secured the fifth consecutive title last season

Celtic begin the defence of their Scottish Premiership title with a trip to Hearts on the weekend of 6 August.

Newly promoted Rangers are at home to Hamilton, while last season's runners-up Aberdeen travel to St Johnstone.

The first Old Firm derby of the season, following Rangers' four-year absence from the top flight, is scheduled for 10 September at Celtic Park.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle host Highland rivals Ross County on the second weekend of the campaign.

County and Caley Thistle meet again in the New Year fixtures, with Celtic travelling to Ibrox and Hearts taking on Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

There will be a winter break after the New Year games, with the action resuming on 28 January.

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths is relishing a trip to Tynecastle on the opening day of the season

Celtic were scheduled to face Partick Thistle on 13 August but the champions will use an opt-out option for a friendly with Inter Milan to mark the 50th anniversary season of their 1967 European Cup triumph against the Italians.

The champions are aiming to win their sixth consecutive Scottish title, with Brendan Rodgers the man charged with maintaining their domestic success.

The former Liverpool boss was named as successor to Ronny Deila, who resigned at the end of the season after delivering two Premiership titles during his spell at the club but was undermined by failures in Europe.

Rangers secured their Premiership place by winning the Championship, their third promotion in four years.

Kilmarnock, at home to Motherwell on the opening weekend, retained their top-flight status by winning the play-off final against Falkirk.

Joey Barton is preparing for his first season in the Scottish Premiership with Rangers

Reaction

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson: "It's a great one to look forward to. It's what we want, big games. It's a great one for the players, a great one for the fans and one for us all to look forward to."

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre: "It's exciting, the start of a season always is. It's a chance to get some points on the board but all the clubs will think that. On paper, the second quarter looks a little trickier so it'd be good to get points on the board early if we can."

Opening fixtures:

Weekend of 6 August:

Partick Thistle v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Kilmarnock v Motherwell

St Johnstone v Aberdeen

Ross County v Dundee

Heart of Midlothian v Celtic

Rangers v Hamilton Academical

New Year fixtures:

Weekend of 31 December

Partick Thistle v Kilmarnock

Heart of Midlothian v Aberdeen

Hamilton Academical v Motherwell

Dundee v St Johnstone

Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Rangers v Celtic

Your team's fixtures in full

Click on the links for each team

• Aberdeen

• Celtic

• Dundee

• Hamilton

• Hearts

• Inverness CT

• Kilmarnock

• Partick Thistle

• Motherwell

• Rangers

• Ross County

• St Johnstone

All fixtures and kick-off times are subject to change.

The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made.