Premiership returns: Preview of opening weekend's six top-flight games

After a long summer of European Championships and transfer drama, the Scottish Premiership has finally returned and it promises to be just as eventful as ever.

Scotland’s participation in Germany might have been shorter than most of us wanted or expected but now it’s time to enjoy the bread and butter of the national game for the next ten months.

Glasgow’s big two of Celtic and Rangers will again be expected to fight it out for the title in what could be a historic season in terms of historical trophy counts.

Both sides are currently officially on 118 a-piece with the Hoops, who are aiming to make it four-in-a-row this season, one behind on league championships at 55-54.

Elsewhere Hearts will be hoping to continue in their position as the best of the rest, and maybe even push on to challenge the top duo, but they will also have to balance that with European group-stage football in either the Europa League or Conference League.

Kilmarnock will be aiming to go one-better than their fourth place finish of last season and St Mirren will be hoping to continue their progress under Stephen Robinson and cement themselves as a consistent top-six side.

Aberdeen and Hibs will be looking to improve on mainly underwhelming campaigns last time around and make a challenge of their own in the top-half while the Dundee derby returns to the top-flight.

Motherwell will also be hoping they can push for the top-six while St Johnstone and Ross County will be hoping for a less-nervy campaign and be well clear of the relegation positions.

So it promises to be all to play for from day one in a weekend full of promise, hope and dreams for all 12 of the top-flight sides.

We take a look at the opening fixtures and what to expect from each team as they begin the campaign.

Saturday, 12.30pm Hearts v Rangers: The new season kicks-off in Edinburgh with Hearts hosting Rangers at Tynecastle in a 12.30pm start.

The Glasgow side got the better of the fixture last season, winning three league games and two cup semi-finals, but the last tie between the pair finished 3-3 on the last day of the 23/24 campaign.

Both sides will be looking to lay down a marker for the season ahead with Rangers aiming to beat city-rivals Celtic to the title and Hearts dreaming of splitting the big two.

Saturday 3pm Motherwell v Ross County: Unusually there is only one game at 3pm on the first Saturday of the season and that will be at Fir Park when Motherwell host Ross County.

Both sides have lost a host of influential players and will be hoping their new recruits can hit the ground running and get points on the board at the earliest possible opportunity.

Sunday 1pm Dundee United v Dundee: The Dundee derby returns to the top-flight this season and fans won’t have to wait long for the first instalment of the ancient rivalry as the Tayside clubs meet at lunchtime on Sunday.

Newly promoted United are looking to defend a 19-year record without a home defeat to Dundee who finished in the top-six last season.

Sunday 3pm St Mirren vs Hibernian: St Mirren will still be on a high from their European exploits when they host Hibs in Paisley on Sunday and will be looking to build on the momentum from that 4-1 win over Valur.

The Edinburgh club will be hoping they can put the disappointment of last season behind them under new manager David Gray.

Despite winning three out of four of their League Cup group stage games, a shock defeat to Kelty Hearts might have raised some early doubts amongst the long suffering Hibs support that could be put right with a good performance on Sunday.

Sunday 4.30pm Celtic vs Kilmarnock: Celtic Park will be in celebration mode on Sunday as Lisbon Lion Jim Craig raises the league flag and the Hoops begin their defence of the title they have held 12 times in the last 13 seasons and begin the quest towards a potential four-in-a-row.

But they will be up against a club that was a bit of a thorn in their side last season by knocking them out of the League Cup and recording a win and a draw from the four Premiership meetings.

Killie will also be looking to bounce back from their midweek European disappointment in a packed out Celtic Park with most of the 60,000 in attendance getting a first-look at new goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Monday 8pm St Johnstone vs Aberdeen: The opening weekend comes to an end on Monday when St Johnstone host Aberdeen in Perth at 8pm.

Jimmy Thelin is still undefeated at the Dons and will be looking for a good start as he aims to get the Pittodrie side back amongst the big-guns.

But Craig Levein has been round the block once or twice and, after narrowly avoiding a relegation play-off in the last day of last season, he will be hoping to get as many points on the board as early as possible to avoid such an ending this time around.