Celtic’s quest for a fifth successive Premiership crown begins on Sunday, August 3, when St Mirren visit Celtic Park for a 4:30pm kick-off.
The occasion doubles as Flag Day, with Paradise set to erupt as the champions unfurl the league banner before a full house.
Memories will stir of last season’s finale, when James Forrest struck deep into stoppage time to keep his remarkable streak alive — a goal in 16 consecutive campaigns, further engraving his name among Celtic’s immortals.
The opening weeks promise little room to breathe. After St Mirren, Brendan Rodgers’ men travel north to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie on August 10, before welcoming newly-promoted Livingston to Glasgow on August 23. Then comes the early spark — a trip across the city to Ibrox on August 31.
It is a Derby set against the backdrop of Champions League playoff football, and it arrives earlier than usual, raising the stakes. For Celtic, chasing five-in-a-row, and Rangers, desperate to claw back ground, it is no ordinary battle.
The reverse fixture at Celtic Park falls on January 3, destined to carry weight in the title race. Between December 6 and January 10, the Bhoys face a punishing festive run of five league matches, including testing away days at Falkirk, Livingston, and Motherwell.
As tradition dictates, the campaign will conclude after the league split, with the final five fixtures revealed later.
Celtic’s march towards a 56th domestic league crown begins on August 3, where green-and-white flags will rise and the champions’ journey starts again.