McGhee faces hostile opener at Tynecastle

Published on Monday 16 June 2008 23:33

INTRIGUE is assured from the opening day of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign on Saturday 9 August after the 2008-09 league fixtures were announced yesterday.

Celtic begin the defence of their title with a home match against St Mirren on Sunday 10 August, but a day prior to this sees Mark McGhee take his seat in a Tynecastle dugout. That it will not be the home one may mean a hot reception awaits him from Hearts supporters.

The Motherwell manager was on the steps of a Lithuania-bound plane heading for talks with Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, when he turned back to agree an improved contract at Fir Park.

"By then (the opening day] Hearts will have a new manager and they will be looking forward to the new season," he said.

Promoted Hamilton must wait until the Monday night before launching their first SPL campaign with a home match against Dundee United, to be shown live on television. Falkirk and Rangers get the SPL campaign underway in another game to be broadcast live and which kicks-off at 12.30pm on the first Saturday of the season.

The SPL made good their promise not to schedule any Old Firm fixtures for directly before or after Scotland international matches. The first such game will take place on 30 August at Parkhead. The first Edinburgh derby is scheduled for 18 October at Easter Road, while the New Year fixture will be held at Tynecastle on 3 January.

For full SPL and SFL fixtures, grab a copy of today's issue of The Scotsman.