LADBROKES PREMIERSHIP champions Celtic will begin the 2017/18 league season at home to Hearts.

The Scottish Professional Football League announced the fixtures on Friday morning, with Rangers travelling to Motherwell and last season's runners-up Aberdeen taking on Hamilton Accies on the opening weekend. 

The first Old Firm derby of the season will take place on Saturday 23 September at Ibrox, before another on 30 December at Parkhead and the final clash before the split on 10 March back on the Gers' home turf.

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Hibernian will mark their top-flight return with a clash against Partick Thistle at Easter Road and the first Edinburgh derby of the season will take place on Wednesday 25 October.

Dundee host Ross County and St Johnstone face a trip to Kilmarnock in the remaining opening day fixtures. 

There will again be a winter break, with no fixtures scheduled between December 30 and the Scottish Cup fourth round on January 20.

The season will end on the weekend of 12/13 May, with the Premiership play-off final set for May 17 and 20.

In the Ladbrokes Championship, relegated Inverness Caledonian Thistle begin with a home fixture against Dundee United, while elsewhere Falkirk travel to St Mirren and Livingston host Dunfermline on their return to the second tier.

League Two champions Arbroath begin their League One campaign at home to Queen's Park, while recently relegated Raith Rovers travel to Alloa Athletic. 

Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion meet in the opening weekend of the League Two season, with Peterhead facing Annan at Galabank in another notable clash. 

All fixtures are subject to change for TV selections.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “The announcement of fixtures for the upcoming season, in partnership with our title sponsor Ladbrokes, once again generates a great deal of excitement and anticipation for supporters.

“Even if only looking at the opening matches across all four leagues on the first weekend in August there are some real standout games and we wish all 42 clubs the very best of luck for their upcoming campaigns.”

Key dates

Saturday 5th August 2017 - opening weekend

Ladbrokes Premiership

Aberdeen v Hamilton Accies

Celtic v Hearts

Dundee v Ross County

Hibernian v Partick Thistle

Kilmarnock v St Johnstone

Motherwell v Rangers

Ladbrokes Championship

Dumbarton v Morton

Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Dundee United

Livingston v Dunfermline Athletic

Queen of the South v Brechin City

St Mirren v Falkirk

Ladbrokes League One

Albion Rovers v Ayr United

Alloa Athletic v Raith Rovers

Arbroath v Queen's Park

Forfar Athletic v Airdrieonians

Stranraer v East Fife

Ladbrokes League Two

Annan Athletic v Peterhead

Berwick Rangers v Clyde

Edinburgh City v Montrose

Elgin City v Cowdenbeath

Stenhousemuir v Stirling Albion

Saturday 30th December 2017 - final weekend before winter break

Aberdeen v Hearts

Celtic v Rangers

Hibernian v Kilmarnock

Motherwell v Hamilton Accies

Partick Thistle v Ross County

St Johnstone v Dundee

Saturday 7th April 2018 - final weekend before split

Hamilton Accies v Celtic

Hearts v Aberdeen

Partick Thistle v Kilmarnock

Rangers v Dundee

Ross County v Hibernian

St Johnstone v Motherwell