Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee is thrilled to have been handed an opening day meeting with Celtic, admitting he had been hoping for the mouth-watering clash.

It will be the battle of the new bosses when Tony Mowbray takes Celtic to Pittodrie to face the Dons, who appointed McGhee as their new manager this summer.

McGhee - a former player with both Aberdeen and Celtic - is now relishing the prospect of a thrilling Clydesdale Bank Premier League curtain-raiser on August 15 as he told the Aberdeen Evening Express: "Given everything that has gone on this summer - when I spoke to Celtic about their job and didn't get it - the game is great news for me."

He added: "When I took this job and we were talking about these issues, it is definitely the one we preferred for the opening game."

Meanwhile, Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo is not worried about a tough opening to next season for the Jambos.

The Edinburgh side travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United, before playing host to champions Rangers the following weekend.

Hearts finished third in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League behind the Old Firm last term, and know fifth-placed United are likely to be one of their main challengers for the coveted spot again this term, setting up an interesting opener.

But Laszlo told Hearts News: "If I am being honest, I don't look for the opponent, we must play everybody each season. That is the game of football.

"It is in my nature to want to win every game though, and that is what we will be trying to do. A good start to the new season is important.

"First of all, though, we have to make sure we have a good pre-season and prepare well with the training camp and the games we have arranged. After that we can talk about the football."