Celtic begin title defence at home to Dundee

Celtic begin title defence at home to DundeeImage source, SNSImage caption, Celtic will go for a sixth straight title in 2026-27Published1 minute agoCeltic open the 2026-27 Scottish Premiership season at home to Dundee on 3 August, with the champions saying they are disappointed to be starting on a Monday evening.The campaign begins on Friday 31 July, with Dundee United hosting Rangers.Hearts, last term's runners-up, visit Aberdeen on the Saturday, with Falkirk and St Mirren also meeting.There are two games on Sunday as newly-promoted St Johnstone mark their return against Kilmarnock in Perth before Hibernian entertain Motherwell.Celtic explained that they made "repeated representations" to Police Scotland and to the SPFL to avoid a Monday kick-off but were told there was "no choice".There will be Commonwealth Games cycling events at the Sir Chris Hoy Arena near Celtic Park over the weekend, while there are concerts at Hampden on 1 and 2 August.The first Old Firm derby is scheduled for Sunday 20 September, with a noon start at Celtic Park.There will be a Dundee derby at Dens Park during the third round of fixtures, while Edinburgh rivals Hibs and Hearts will go head-to-head at Easter Road on Wednesday 2 September.Once again, there is no room in the schedule for a winter break.Fixture round 33 arrives on 10 April, with the five rounds of post-split games ending on the weekend of 15/16 May.Last season was one of the most dramatic in recent memory as Celtic clinched a fifth straight title by beating underdogs Hearts in the final few minutes of the last game.Scottish Premiership - opening weekend gamesFriday 31 JulyDundee United v Rangers (20:00 BST)Saturday 1 AugustFalkirk v St Mirren (15:00)Aberdeen v Heart of Midlothian (17:30)Sunday 2 AugustSt Johnstone v Kilmarnock (14:00)Hibernian v Motherwell (16:30)Monday 3 AugustCeltic v Dundee (19:30)Scottish Premiership fixtures - club by clubAberdeen fixturesCeltic fixturesDundee fixturesDundee Unite...