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Celtic to open against St Mirren

Celtic celebrate winning the SPL title last season
Celtic celebrate winning last year's SPL title

Celtic open up their Scottish Premier League defence with a home game against Gus MacPherson's St Mirren.

Walter Smith's Rangers side start with a tough away fixture against Falkirk, with the first Old Firm encounter at Celtic Park on 30 August.

Motherwell, who finished third last season, begin with a visit to Hearts. Aberdeen entertain Inverness CT.

Pr ... Read more »

Category: SPL News | Views: 1064 | Added by: itwp | Date: 16-Jun-2008 | Comments (1)

SPL clubs get Euro boost

Scotland's clubs will receive an extra place in the UEFA Cup in 2009/10, the Scottish Premier League have revealed.

Scotland will have at least four teams in European competition next season, and Hibernian would join Celtic, Rangers, Motherwell and Queen of the South if they qualify through the Intertoto Cup. There will be a guaranteed five the following season as the Intertoto Cup will be replaced with an additional qualifying round in the UEFA Cup.

SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "The UEFA Cup will start in June and participation is mandatory, whereas the Intertoto had previously been voluntary."

He added: "If a team don't want to start their season in June or early July, they no longer have a choice."

Scotland will retain its two Champions League slots and Blair revealed that the Scottish Cup winners will continue to enter the UEFA Cup in the round before the group stage.< ... Read more »

Category: SPL News | Views: 962 | Added by: itwp | Date: 16-Jun-2008 | Comments (0)