Celtic midfielder Craig Burley insists the Scottish champions are in far better shape than 12 months ago as they open the defence of their Premier League title with today's visit of Dunfermline.

And the Scotland international, fresh from his influential performance against St Patrick's Athletic on the European scene, believes the reluctance of Jozef Venglos to tamper with the championship-winning squad he inherited will ensure there is no repeat of the Parkhead tremors that marred Venglos's predecessor's own league initiation ceremony.

Former head coach Wim Jansen and sacked assistant boss Murdo MacLeod will both be present this afternoon to witness the unfurling of the championship flag in front of 60,000 fans in the recently-completed stadium. And although their efforts in bringing about such a scenario were overshadowed by the events leading to their respective departures, both might afford themselves a wry smile at the opposition for Dr Jo's real welcome party.

Dunfermline were the first league opposition for Jansen too, and duly proved themselves capable party poopers as they inflicted a shock 2-1 defeat on an uncoordinated Celtic.

A year on though, and Burley - a revelation in his first season with the club - is confident they are on course for further honours after the initial turmoil of the close season.

He said: "We are a stronger side than this time last year when the players were hardly on first-name terms with each other.

"That showed in the first couple of league matches, but this time we have taken confidence from knowing each other inside out and knowing what to expect of each other on the field.

"Jozef has had a chance now to assess us in training and the matches against St Patrick's and I think he is quite pleased with what he has seen.

"He realises he has got experienced players here so he has not said too much or made too many changes at the moment and is just letting things take their course."

Venglos admits he is under pressure to match Jansen's achievements in his first season after the Dutchman also added the League Cup to his roll of honours last year.

But despite the added weight of expectation from supporters anxious at the steady influx of bigmoney signings at Rangers this summer, the Slovakian doctor is undaunted by the challenge.

He said: "I have come here as the new man but it doesn't matter who it is. Whoever comes in must take that pressure but it was the same last year and I am very happy for it to be like that.

"Each season has a different history to it and there is not just pressure on me, there is big pressure on everyone at the club, particularly the players.

"But they are intelligent guys and they are all working hard to be successful again. I believe in their abilities and I am sure they will respond with a very positive approach."

Venglos is once again forced to do without Marc Rieper and Stephane Mahe from his defensive line with the Dane not likely to be recovered from a back muscle injury for another week and Mahe still struggling with a shin problem.

But the head coach is determined the players on duty will retain a suitable sense of occasion in front of a sell-out audience. "I will be very happy if the team can perform well and start the season with a good win."

Of course, Celtic's depth of resources, and the lack of genuine competition north of the border, means even a below par year could see them finish second, but questions will be asked if Rangers reclaim the Championship flag.

Venglos' main problem is perhaps priorities. On the face of it, he would consider qualification for the Champions' League as vital, but most Celtic supporters would still trade that for beating Rangers again.

"I believe the infrastructure of Celtic is such that we can do a Manchester United. There is a huge stadium with magnificent support - it's a people club and I'm excited by the potential," says Venglos.

"This club has a tradition and history to be proud of but it is time to create some more history. I want to bring success to this club both at home and abroad."

Of course, no manager in the Scottish Premier League will be under more pressure to deliver results in the coming months than Dick Advocaat. After Rangers' first trophy-less season in a decade, the Dutchman knows nothing less than wresting the title back from Celtic will do in his first season at the club.

With seven players brought in at a cost of £23 million - bigger spending than any other club in Britain - and with further additions likely - he is not without the resources to achieve that goal.

The question now is whether he can mould his summer acquisitions into an efficient fighting force swiftly enough to disrupt the settled operations already in place at Parkhead. Advocaat has had to rebuild from scratch after the mass exodus of Ibrox stalwarts instrumental in the club's nine-year reign on the domestic scene. Not many clubs could cope with the loss of Gascoigne, Laudrup, McCoist, Gough, Goram, McCall, Durrant, Cleland and Bjorklund, with Marco Negri likely to join them through the exit door.

But such is Advocaat's pedigree and reputation for creating outstanding sides with the right degree of flair and substance that Rangers start as clear favourites to finish top once again.

For today's opening match against Hearts, Rod Wallace from Leeds seems likely to be on from the beginning alongside Gordon Durie as Gabriel Amato is short of match fitness following his £4.2 million move from Real Mallorca.

Advocaat's main selection poser is in defence where Lorenzo Amoruso, Gordan Petric and Scott Wilson are all suspended, while French keeper Lionel Charbonnier has a thigh strain.

"I have options and will make up my mind how to adapt. Missing three central defenders for one game makes it difficult but we remain confident," said Advocaat.

"I don't imagine all my new signings will start as they are still looking to gain fitness and it is difficult to say how much longer that will take."

The first Sky televised fixture of the new Premier League represents an imposing start for Hearts looking to build on last season's Scottish Cup success.

They will be without midfielder Colin Cameron who is still struggling with a pelvic complaint.