Aberdeen have been dealt a stern test to open the Scottish Premiership season, but it’s as good a time as any to face Rangers.
After months without football, watching the Dons take on Steven Gerrard’s side at Pittodrie on August 1 is an exciting prospect.
The SPFL still needs Scottish Government approval before the season can get under way, but the announcement of the 2020-21 Premiership fixtures feels like a huge step forward.
It wasn’t so long ago we weren’t sure when we would be watching Scottish football again but it seems we won’t have to wait much longer.
The fixtures will give the Dons and the rest of the Scottish Premiership sides some added motivation as they work through their pre-season preparations.
Premiership fixtures revealed as Aberdeen and Ross County face tough openers
There will be a lot of pressure on Celtic and Rangers this term as the Hoops chase 10 in a row, while the Gers try to end their dominance.
That may just favour Aberdeen, who head into the season with a very settled squad.
There will likely be a few new faces in the Rangers team so facing them on the open day may suit the Dons.
The sides met on the curtain-raiser two years ago when Bruce Anderson netted a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw in front of a packed Pittodrie.
It is unlikely there will be any fans there this time, but it is still a fixture to look forward to when Scottish football finally returns after its long absence.
The SPFL always likes a tasty fixture to start the season and there is usually plenty of controversy whenever Aberdeen meet Rangers.
I don’t think Rangers would have been overly happy when they saw they were heading to Pittodrie first because, after going to Celtic Park, that is probably their toughest away match.
As for Ross County, they will be looking to make a positive start, but have also been dealt a tricky opener.
Motherwell will visit Dingwall on August 3 and the Steelmen will be hoping to build on last season’s success when they pipped the Dons for third.
It will be intriguing to see how the Staggies start with Stuart Kettlewell in charge on his own.
They will begin the season with survival as their immediate aim and then looking to move up the table after that.
For a long stretch last season, their away form was not great and they will be determined to improve upon that.
It is difficult to predict how a season is going to go but I always felt after you’d played every team once you had a pretty good idea how it would all pan out.
We have a few weeks left to wait for it all to kick off, but seeing the fixtures for the new season really whets the appetite.
Surprise at Dundee United’s choice of gaffer
I’m surprised Dundee United have opted for Micky Mellon as their new manager.
The Paisley-born Scot has worked in England his whole career, so this will be a fresh challenge for him.
He had carved out a good reputation at Tranmere Rovers, but I thought Malky Mackay was a strong contender, especially when Steve McClaren decided against taking the job.
I have read a few players who have played under Mellon, such as Jack Grimmer and Ian Black, speak very highly of him.
He has his chance to show what he can do at Tannadice, but it is going to be difficult for him.
It is a big step up in standard.
I’m not sure why Malky was overlooked for the job. Some people will say it was because of the text message scandal at Cardiff City, but I don’t think that would have been the sole reason.
He has apologised for sending inappropriate text messages during his time as Cardiff City manager and spent time on diversity awareness courses.
I hope Malky finds a job somewhere if he is keen to return to management.
He will continue in his role as performance director at the Scottish FA, but I felt he could have been a very good Dundee United manager.
Time will tell if the Tannadice board have got this appointment right.