Mowbray´s Celtic start at Aberdeen,

New Celtic manager Tony Mowbray will travel to Aberdeen in his first Scottish Premier League match, while champions Rangers begin their title defence at home to Falkirk.

Mowbray, who was appointed as Hoops boss on Tuesday, found out Celtic’s schedule for the 2009-10 campaign as the SPL fixtures were announced on Wednesday.

The opening fixtures will take place on August 15. But the first eagerly anticipated Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox comes on October 3.

Rangers, who ended Celtic’s three-year reign as Scottish champions when they clinched the title last season, are away to their Glasgow rivals on January 2.

Walter Smith’s side face their third clash of the season against Celtic at home on February 27.

Rangers’ second game of the season sees them visit Hearts, third in last season’s title race, on August 23 and they face the same trip on March 27. Hearts visit Ibrox on January 23.

Aberdeen, fourth in the SPL last season, visit Ibrox on September 26 and March 24 with Rangers going to Pittodrie on November 28.

Celtic are at home to the Dons on December 5 and away to the same opponents on February 13.

Hearts visit Celtic on September 19, with the return fixture on December 19. Hearts also visit Celtic Park on February 10.

Hearts begin their SPL season away to Dundee United and their last pre-split fixture is at home to Kilmarnock on April 10.

Hearts face Aberdeen, who finished fourth last season, away on October 17 and February 27, and at home on January 27.

New Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee’s first game back in the SPL will be that meeting with former club Celtic.