BBC SPORT | Scotland | Champions face Pars on opening day

Scottish Premier League champions Celtic will begin the defence of their title with a home tie against Dunfermline.

The SPL fixture list, announced on Thursday morning, also handed First Division champions Partick Thistle a home game for their first match back in the top flight.

They play host to Dundee United on the opening Saturday of the season, 3 August.

Rangers travel to Kilmarnock for their curtain-raiser, with Alex McLeish desperate to push Celtic all the way for the title this season.

In the other games of the opening weekend, Dundee entertain Hearts and Aberdeen travel to Edinburgh to play Hibernian.

Motherwell meet Livingston at Almondvale.

Thistle's Gerry Britton celebrates last season's title win
Partick Thistle start against Dundee United
The Old Firm's first meeting of the season does not come about until Sunday 6 October at Parkhead.

The return fixture at Ibrox is scheduled for Saturday 7 December, although this is likely to be put back 24 hours.

The final clash before the league split is planned for Saturday 8 March 2003.

The first Edinburgh derby of the season takes place at Tynecastle on 10 August, the second Saturday of the season.

Rangers play their first home game that weekend against Dundee, while Celtic must travel to Pittodrie for a potentially tricky game against Aberdeen.

The first 'other' Glasgow derby of the season takes place at Firhill on 24 August when the Jags play host to Celtic.

The two Tayside clubs clash for the first time at Tannadice on 31 August.

The re-instated mid-season break begins after the SPL fixtures on Thursday 2 January 2003 and action resumes on 29 January.

The last day of competitive SPL games before the end-of-season split is scheduled for Saturday 12 April.


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