AN EXCITING pre-season for Scottish Premiership teams starts soon as multiple clubs will head overseas.

Once players return from their time-off, Celtic will be off to Austria, while rivals Rangers will travel to Portugal.

Big name clubs such as Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, and Tottenham Hotspur will be facing off against Scottish sides in friendly battles.

Hearts will head to Spain for a training camp before their home and away ties, whereas Kilmarnock won’t stray too far from home having announced games against Queen of the South and Falkirk.

Here are all the key dates that have been confirmed thus far…

ABERDEEN

The Dons will spend a week at a Spanish resort for a training camp for the first time in three years thanks to COVID restrictions.

Among a couple of friendlies, they will be travelling to Pitmedden on July 14 to play against Formartine in a Stuart Smith testimonial.

The left-back started his career at Pittodrie before going on to spend over 10 years with Formartine, and both clubs will now honour him at 32 years old.

Full fixture list:

Saturday, June 25: Buckie Thistle vs Aberdeen, Victoria Park (3pm)

Wednesday, July 6: Brechin City vs Aberdeen, Glebe Park (7:45pm)

Thursday, July 14: Formartine vs Aberdeen XI, North Lodge Park (7:45pm)

 

CELTIC

The Hoops head to Austria to begin preparations for the upcoming season.

It is likely that more friendlies will be arranged during their 10-day camp, but as of now they face one game abroad and two at home.

Ange Postecoglou’s men will welcome English outfits Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City to Celtic Park in what are sure to be exciting matches.

Full fixture list:

Wednesday, July 13: Banik Ostrav vs Celtic, Mestsky Stadion, Ostrava, Czech Republic (5pm)

Saturday, July 16: Celtic vs Blackburn Rovers, Celtic Park (12.30pm)

Saturday, 23 July: Celtic vs Norwich City, Celtic Park (3pm)

 

UPDATE:

The Celts have now announced that they will take part in a special match in Poland to honour ex-'keeper Artur Boruc.

Giving five years to Celtic and eight years to Legia Warsaw, the heroic goalie will be paid tribute to in the following fixture:

Wednesday, July 20: Legia Warsaw vs Celtic, Stadion Wojska Polskiego (TBD)

 

DUNDEE UNITED

The Tangerines also take on two English sides, travelling over the border for one of them.

They take on Sunderland and Fleetwood Town, and the club have stated they aim to play two more friendlies behind closed doors in early July and organise a short pre-season tour.

Full fixture list:

Saturday, July 16: Dundee United vs Sunderland, Tannadice (3pm)

Saturday, July 23: Fleetwood Town vs Dundee United, Highbury Stadium (3pm)

 

HEARTS

Robbie Neilson’s men have a busy packed schedule ahead of them before they can get started on continental and European competitions.

During their week-long stay in Marbella, they will take on Gibraltar National League runners-up Europa FC.

On their return they will travel to Bayview to take on East Fife in a Kevin Smith testimonial as he departs the club after eight years of service.

Full fixture list:

Spartans vs Hearts (TBD)

Dunbar United vs Hearts (TBD)

Thursday, June 30: Europa FC vs Hearts (TBD)

Tuesday, July 5: East Fife vs Hearts, Bayview Stadium (7pm)

Wednesday, July 20: Preston North End vs Hearts, Deepdale Stadium (7:45pm)

 

HIBERNIAN

New manager Lee Johnson will take his side to the Algarve for a training camp with friendlies.

The games overseas will be available to spectate for free on a first-come first-served basis, but the club have warned of extremely limited capacity.

They will also open the doors on their training session on June 30 in Portugal.

Norwich City will also be playing at Easter Road just one day after playing Celtic.

Full fixture list:

Dunbar United vs Hibs (TBD)

Wednesday, 29 June: Hibs vs Hartlepool United, Amendoeira Golf Resort (11am)

Friday, 1 July: Hibs vs Burton Albion, Amendoeira Golf Resort (11am)

Sunday, 24 July: Hibs vs Norwich City, Easter Road (2pm)

 

KILMARNOCK

Newly promoted Killie will head to Largs for the first week of their pre-season training, as they have done for several years. 

Any further plans have yet to be confirmed by the Rugby Park outfit.

They will face Queen of the South behind closed doors, and they will travel to Falkirk to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of their Scottish Cup triumph.

Full fixture list:

Kilmarnock vs Queen of the South, Rugby Park (BCD)

Friday, 24 June: Falkirk vs Kilmarnock, Falkirk Stadium (7:30pm)

 

LIVINGSTON

Livi have kept their plans quiet thus far, with their next upcoming fixtures being the Premier Sports Cup group stage games.

As preparation for the upcoming season, they are sure to announce some plans and fixtures soon.

 

MOTHERWELL

The ‘Well will travel to Obertraun in Austria for a week of intensive training.

These are facilities that boss Graham Alexander and the club are familiar with having use them previously.

No friendly fixtures have been announced yet, but the club are working to confirm some games.

 

RANGERS

The league runners-up and Europa League finalists will travel to a warm weather camp in the Algarve and take on one friendly while there.

Upon their return they will play at home against a huge name in Tottenham Hotspur, in-keeping with last years pre-season when they faced Real Madrid.

They will also face fellow Glasgow-based side Partick Thistle in a friendly behind closed doors at the Gers’ training ground.

Full fixture list:

Saturday, July 2: Rangers vs Partick Thistle (BCD)

Saturday, July 9: Rangers vs Sunderland, Estádio Municipal de Albufeira (8pm)

Saturday, July 23: Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur, Ibrox Stadium (1pm)

 

ROSS COUNTY

The Dingwall club will be travelling to face Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park in a friendly.

Banks O’Dee had also announced that they would play Ross County on July 9, but unfortunately that would overlap with County’s opening Premier Sports Cup game.

Full fixture list:

Wednesday, July 6: Brora Rangers vs Ross County, Dudgeon Park (7:30pm)

 

ST JOHNSTONE

The Saints have been largely quiet since clinching survival in the play-offs, with little movement in the transfer market, contract negotiations, and pre-season planning.

Though they will play at least one friendly, playing against Cove Rangers before their cup campaign begins.

Full fixture list:

Saturday, July 9: St Johnstone vs Cove Rangers, McDiarmid Park (1pm)

 

ST MIRREN

Stephen Robinson and his squad will travel to a training camp in Belfast, where they will play two friendlies against Irish Premiership sides before returning home for another game.

Not only will fans be able to attend all matches, but season ticket holders will receive free entry to the home game against Hartlepool.

Full fixture list:

Monday, June 27: Crusaders vs St Mirren, Seaview Stadium (6:30pm)

Saturday, July 2: Linfield vs St Mirren, Windsor Park (1:30pm)

Tuesday, July 5: St Mirren vs Hartlepool United, SMiSA Stadium (7pm)