CELTIC will begin their title defence against Hearts on Sunday August 7 and Rangers' season opener at home to Hamilton will kick off early on Saturday August 6.

The dates and times of the original fixture list have been changed due to live coverage of the matches on Sky Sports and BT Sport.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) announced today that the Gers will open the 2016/17 Premiership season when they host Hamilton Academical at Ibrox on August 6 with a 12:30pm kick off, which will be shown on Sky Sports.The Herald: 23/04/16 LADBROKES CHAMPIONSHIP . RANGERS v ALLOA (1-1) . IBROX - GLASGOW . Rangers manager Mark Warburton (left) with captain Lee Wallace . ** IMAGE IS FREE FOR USE ON SUNDAY 24/04/16 AND MONDAY 25/04/16 **.

St Johnstone's home match against Aberdeen has also been shifted and will now be broadcast on BT Sport on Sunday August 7, with a 12:15pm kick off.

The Bhoys will finish off the opening round with a trip to Tynecastle, also on August 7, with the game being shown on Sky Sports with a 2:15pm start.

There has been one confirmed change for the second weekend of the season, as Rangers will travel to face Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday August 13 with an early start time of 12:15pm, which can be watched on BT Sport.