Pre-Season Fixtures for SPL Clubs
Attractive games scheduled against European Elite teams
During this time of the year supporters of SPL clubs get the opportunity to see their teams play against some of the greatest names in European Football. For the second year running, Dundee United play the mighty Barcelona at Tannadice Stadium; with illustrious names such as Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry and the Spanish Euro 2008 winning contingent on show for the Catalan giants.
Ahead of the season openers on the weekend of August 10/11, the Old Firm clubs Celtic and Rangers will fulfil their usual quota of tasty 'friendlies' against the likes of Feyenoord and Schalke respectively. Here's a list of the key friendlies scheduled for the 12 SPL clubs thus far:
Aberdeen
Having returned to pre-season training on 30th June, the Dons have already kicked off their pre-season with a 2-0 home defeat to Champions League winners Manchester United at Pittodrie.
Jimmy Calderwood's squad travel to Holland for a number of friendlies against FC Zwolle (27th), Vitesse Arnhem (30th), and Go Ahead Eagles (2nd August)
Celtic
Champions Celtic kick off against Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium on 18th July, followed by a tournament in the Portuguese Algarve region involving games against Middlesbrough (22nd July) and Cardiff City (24th July).
Celtic then participate in the Feyenoord tournament, including games against Porto on the 26th July and Tottenham on the 1st August. The hoops then return home for a warm-up fixture against Manchester City on 6th August.
Dundee United
While the undoubted highlight for United is the fixture against Barcelona on July 26th, their pre-season includes trips to face University College Dublin and are also on the road to face Plymouth Argyle on 2nd August.
Falkirk
The Bairns entertain Queen's Park Rangers on 26th July, with manager John Hughes then taking his side on a Dutch pre-season tour to face SC Cambuur (July 30), BV Vendaam (August 1st), finishing with a game against Eredivise side Heerenveen a day later.
Hamilton Academicals
The SPL new boys face a hectic build-up to the new season, including taking part in Hartlepool United's centenary tournament against either the hosts or Premiership Sunderland.
Hearts
The Tynecastle outfit have recently appointed Csaba Laszlo as manager and the Romanian faces a demanding pre-season German tour, the highlight of which is a game against Kaiserslautern on 25th July. A home game against Hull City on 3rd August rounds off the friendly period.
Hibernian
Hibs face Barcelona at Murrayfield on 24th July, followed by games against Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic at Easter Road in early August.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Caley head for Denmark where they will meet Lollandfaster (22nd July) and Herfolge (25th). A trip to Lancashire to play Burnley is then arranged for August 2nd.
Kilmarnock
Jim Jefferies' side face English Championship sides Wolves, QPR and Coventry at Rugby Park on 26th, 29th July and 2nd August in a trio of attractive fixtures.
Motherwell
The UEFA Cup qualifiers face Wolves at home on 23rd and Preston a week later also at Fir Park.
Rangers
Last season's runners-up have organised a training camp in Germany and Holland, the highlight of which is a game against Bundesliga cracks Schalke on 19th July.
The Ibrox side then host Liverpool in a glamour friendly on 2nd August, when fans will have an early chance to assess new signings such as Kyle Lafferty.
St. Mirren
The Buddies face Blackpool at Love Street on the 29th July and then Gus McPherson's troops face a road trip to Darlington on the 2nd of August.
