Bhoys get Hearts at home for opener...

CELTIC will kick-off their quest for a seventh straight Scottish Premiership title against Hearts on Saturday, August 5.

The Parkhead champions completed an astonishing 47 domestic games without defeat last season as they wrapped up a Treble clean sweep.

And they will now set about extending their incredible run when the Jambos visit Parkhead for the traditional flag-raising ceremony as the 2017/18 Ladbrokes Premiership season gets under way.

Pedro Caixinha’s new-look Rangers open their campaign away to Motherwell on the same date, although the fixtures announced by the Scottish Professional Football League today could yet be switched for TV coverage.

And the Ibrox faithful – buoyed by eight new arrivals this summer – will be keen to see how their side fares against their Old Firm rivals when the Hoops arrive in Govan on Saturday, September 23, for the first derby clash of the new term.

The big two are pencilled in to face off again at Celtic Park on Saturday, December 30, before returning to Ibrox for the season’s third clash on Saturday, March 10.

Aberdeen get their season under way at home to Hamilton. Hibs, back in the top division after a three-year absence, start against Partick Thistle at Easter Road before heading to Ibrox a week later on August 12.

Hibs will also host the first Edinburgh derby duel of the new campaign on Wednesday, October 25.

Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone kick-off away to Kilmarnock on August 5, while Dundee host Ross County in the opening day’s other fixture.

However, Hearts’ schedule remains to be finalised after the SPFL handed them home fixtures against Kilmarnock and Motherwell in rounds two and four – despite Tynecastle being out of commission while work continues on the new £12m main stand.

Jambos’ fans will have to wait until their tie with Aberdeen on September 9 before they can take their seats in the new structure and club chiefs are now in talks with league bosses to re-arrange their August 12 and 26 clashes.