Celtic manager Neil Lennon has criticised the decision of SPL to bring forward the beginning of next season to 23rd July.

The SPL announced on Monday that the 2011-12 campaign would open earlier than is customary in a bid to help teams involved in qualifying for European competition. The league also wants to avoid the prospect of midweek fixtures throughout winter.

Yet the hierarchy at both halves of the Old Firm are irked by the early start. Rangers and Celtic are keen to play lucrative friendly matches around that date; in a bizarre twist, Celtic will be allowed to postpone their league fixture on the second weekend of the league season in order to compete in the Dublin Super Cup.