The wait is almost over, but it won’t quite be the same.
Usually fixture release day means checking certain dates, the first four matches, when is the first Old Firm, what is the schedule over Christmas?
Maybe a couple of holiday requests submitted in work, shortly after.
In the current climate and the situation enforced by the pandemic, we don’t quite know when supporters will return at all in Scotland, never mind full capacity crowds.
Back to the football itself, we do know that the Premiership season will kick off on the weekend of 31st July/1st August – this coming January will also see the return of the Winter break.
The most welcome return will be that of the league flag as it is unfurled on the Ibrox pitch – a first home top flight game of the season since 2016/17 when Mark Warburton’s side could only manage a 1-1 draw with Hamilton Accies.
This time last year, the first Old Firm fixture was pushed back as relatively late as possible to allow for fans to attend if permitted by the Scottish government and authorities – this did not come to pass so it will be interesting to see how things work out this time around, in comparison.
In a change from recent years, the European campaign does not get underway until after the league campaign commences – Steven Gerrard will lead his troops into battle with the chase for a place in the Champions League starting immediately after the opening weekend of the domestic season.
The big reveal is at 9am tomorrow – further reaction to follow on VitalRangers.