Soccer:Rangers have a low-key opening to their defence of the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League title with a home fixture against Falkirk on August 15th.

The SPL champions, who reach the split with a trip to face Dundee United on April 10th, play the first of their three fixtures against Old Firm rivals Celtic at home on October 3rd when Tony Mowbray gets his first taste of the Glasgow derby as a manager.

Rangers, who ended Celtic's three-year reign as Scottish champions when they clinched the title last season, are away to their Glasgow rivals on January 2nd. Walter Smith's side face their third clash of the season against Celtic at home on February 27th.

Rangers' second game of the season sees them visit Hearts, third in last season's title race, on August 23rd and they face the same trip on March 27th.

Hearts visit Ibrox on January 23rd.

Aberdeen, fourth in the SPL last season, visit Ibrox on September 26th and March 24th with Rangers going to Pittodrie on November 28th.

Celtic begin their season away to Aberdeen and complete their pre-split fixtures at home to Motherwell.

New manager Mowbray's side are at home to the Dons on December 5th and away to the same opponents on February 13th. Hearts visit Celtic on September 19th, with the return fixture on December 19th.

Hearts also visit Celtic Park on February 10th. Hearts begin their SPL season away to Dundee United and their last pre-split fixture is at home to Kilmarnock on April 10th.

Hearts face Aberdeen, who finished fourth last season, away on October 17th and February 27th, and at home on January 27th.

New Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee's first game back in the SPL will be that meeting with former club Celtic.

SPL newcomers St Johnstone start at home to Motherwell and face Aberdeen on April 10th. In between they play against champions Rangers at home on October 17th and February 20th and away on December 12th.

The Saints visit Celtic on August 22nd and March 20th, with a home fixture against the SPL runners-up on January 23rd.