Celtic to take on Ross County in Scottish Premier League opener

Scottish Premier League champions Celtic will begin the defence of their title with a clash against Ross County on August 3.

Neil Lennon's outfit have been handed the fixture of the 2013-14 campaign at Celtic Park, while last season's runners-up Motherwell are due to travel to Hibernian on August 4.

Recently-promoted outfit Partick Thistle will open up the season by hosting Dundee United, while financially troubled Hearts will visit St Johnstone on the first weekend in August.

Celtic's second league match, which is against Aberdeen, has been put back by two weeks in order to allow the Bhoys to take on Liverpool in a friendly in Dublin.

SPL 2013-14 opening fixtures: August 3

Aberdeen vs. Kilmarnock
Celtic vs. Ross County
Inverness CT vs. St Mirren
Partick vs. Dundee Utd
St Johnstone vs. Hearts