SPFL fixtures: 10 games to watch out for as 2026-27 season schedule released
The 2026-27 William Hill Premiership fixtures have been officially released, promising a season rich with drama, intense rivalries, and significant managerial debuts from the outset.
The Press Association has highlighted ten pivotal early-season encounters poised to ignite the league.
AdvertisementAdvertisementDundee United vs Rangers (31 July)
The season’s curtain-raiser is set for Friday, 31 July, at Tannadice, where Dundee United host Rangers.
This match marks Derek McInnes’s first game in charge of Rangers, returning to a club he spent three years at as a player. It promises a tough start for the 54-year-old.
Aberdeen vs Hearts (1 August)
On Saturday, 1 August, Aberdeen, under new boss Stephen Robinson, will aim to show they mean business against Hearts at Pittodrie.
Hearts, under new management after McInnes’ departure, will seek to kick-start another strong campaign in an appetising 5.30pm kick-off.
St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock (2 August)
St Johnstone return to the top flight after a one-season absence, welcoming Kilmarnock. Simo Valakari’s Championship winners will be confident, but Neil McCann’s side will be buoyed by a strong finish last term.
Hibernian vs Motherwell (2 August)
Also on Sunday, Hibernian and Motherwell, both fresh from Conference League action the previous Thursday after top-five finishes, will clash.
Hibs hope for more consistency, while Motherwell aim to progress under new management after losing Jens Berthel Askou.
Dundee United vs Dundee (22 August)
The first Dundee derby takes place on 22 August at Tannadice. United, who shaded last season’s derbies, including a 3-0 home win in April, will host their city rivals.
Aberdeen vs Rangers (29 August)
Later that month, on 29 August, the intense rivalry between Aberdeen and Rangers gains extra charge as new Gers boss McInnes returns to Pittodrie, where he spent eight years managing the Dons.
A feisty encounter beckons on matchday four.
Hibernian vs Hearts (2 September)
September opens with the first Edinburgh derby, a midweek showdown at Easter Road on 2 September.
Hearts won three of their four meetings with Hibernian last season, though often requiring late winners.
Celtic vs Rangers (20 September)
The season’s first Old Firm derby is scheduled for 20 September at Celtic Park. This will be McInnes’s inaugural derby as Rangers boss, bringing him back to the scene of his Hearts side’s devastating final-day defeat last month.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 54-year-old must outfox Martin O’Neill, who was unbeaten in his four derbies against previous Gers boss Danny Rohl last term.
Celtic vs Hearts (17 October)
A rematch of last season’s title decider sees Celtic host Hearts on 17 October at Celtic Park on match-week nine.
Significant fall-out has occurred over the past month, given the contentious way Celtic pipped Hearts to the title and the subsequent pitch invasion. This ensures no shortage of tension when the teams reconvene.
Hearts vs Rangers (28 October)
The month concludes with a highly charged fixture on 28 October, as Hearts welcome Rangers to Tynecastle.
AdvertisementAdvertisementStriker Lawrence Shankland and manager McInnes, both having moved to Rangers after helping the Jambos challenge for the title, can expect a hostile reception upon their return for this midweek showdown.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
