Newcomers await in opening fixtures for Caley Thistle
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CALEY Thistle will kick off the new Scottish Premiership season with successive matches against the league’s newcomers Hamilton Accies then Dundee.
John Hughes’ Highlanders, who finished fifth in the top-flight last term, will head to New Douglas Park on the weekend of August 9/10 for their opener just four days before kicking off their home campaign against Dundee.
Accies dramatically overturned a 2-0 deficit to send Hibernian down to the Championship in a breath-taking two-leg play-off last month.
Paul Hartley, who was linked to the Inverness CT job when Terry Butcher quit for Hibs in November, will look for his Dundee team to get off to a strong start to their away campaign in the Highlands.
The first Highland derby is set for October 4 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
New Year’s Day sees Ross County host ICT, with Aberdeen visiting Inverness two days after Christmas.
January is a packed month, with seven fixtures scheduled, edning on the 31st with ICT v Ross County.
Caley Thistle’s final fixture before the split on April 11 is a home clash with Scottish Champions Celtic, who are now bossed by Ronny Deila.
ICT’s first date with the Hoops is on August 23/24 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
Ross County will start their season at home to Scottish Cup winners St Johnstone on August 9 – that’s seven days before a trip to Partick Thistle.
Derek Adams’ County, who were seventh last season, will travel to St Mirren for their last game before the split.
October 18 is when the Staggies first play Celtic and that will be at Victoria Park.
*** See this week’s Highland News for reaction to ICT’s opening fixtures.
