SPL Fixtures to be Released on Thursday

Last updated : 19 June 2006 By Firparkcorner

Got your season book yet?
The first games of the new season will take place on the weekend of July 29 and the list will be transferred to diaries and calendars by supporters as they anticipate the forthcoming campaign.

Of particular interest will be the first encounter. Could the computer deliver us another opener against either of the Old Firm? The memory of last season's dramatic 4-4 draw with Celtic at Fir Park is still fresh and a repeat (without their late, late, equaliser) would do nicely.

In previous years we have faced Celtic(a) L 0-2, Dundee (h) L 0-2, Livingston (a) L 2-3, Dunfermline(a) L 2-5, Dundee(h) L 0-2. The eagled-eyed reader will not fail to spot a worrying trend in these curtain raisers. Let's hope that the pattern comes to halt at the end of July. In any event, it appears that the result in the first game of the season has little effect on our final placing.

Also of interest will be the arrangements for the Boxing Day and Ne'erday games. There was an outcry a couple of seasons back when the traditional derby day had Inverness travelling to Motherwell while Kilmarnock were scheduled to trek to Aberdeen. Surely the lesson will be learned this time around?

Few will miss the trip to Almondvale but the visit to Love Street will be a keenly anticipated encounter. We have a score to settle in Paisley following the dreadful cup exit on our last visit.