The Scottish Premier League today announced that the 2011/12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League season will kick off on Saturday 23 July.

In a statement released this afternoon, the SPL said: "An earlier start date is an important part of the SPL's strategic plan for Scottish football and should mean that top flight clubs involved in European qualifiers in July enter those games better prepared. A July start date will also reduce the number of mid-week games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League during the winter months.

"When determining the start date for season 2011/12, the SPL board decided on a protocol that allows clubs to participate in summer tournaments, whilst also ensuring that all clubs and fans reap the benefits of an earlier start date for the season.

"SPL clubs can request that one fixture early in the season be postponed to take part in such tournaments. As an example, the SPL board has given permission for Celtic to participate in the Dublin Super Cup over the weekend of 30 and 31 July."

On Hearts.TV today, exclusive post-match reaction from Pittodrie, plus the best of the action from a hard-fought encounter in the Aberdeen.