| In the SPL, the Tangerines will have to wait until August 11, a Monday, for a televised clash at promoted Hamilton Accies, complete with their new grass pitch.
Nine days earlier, the Dark Blues support will make what many regard as the season’s nightmare journey — the 150-mile trek to Dingwall and newly-promoted Ross County.
While, United at least have the consolation of knowing they will be hot favourites to pick up three points from their opening evening, Dundee head north in the knowledge they have never won at Victoria Park.
Generally speaking, both city clubs have been handed tough starts to the campaign.
After facing the top flight’s new boys, the Tangerines will entertain champions Celtic on August 16, then travel to Motherwell, who pipped them in the race for third last term.
Their opening month will be completed with a home clash against Kilmarnock and then it’s a tough September with Hibs, Aberdeen and Hearts all to be faced.
None of that fazed boss Craig Levein as he looked forward to trying to better last season’s fifth-place finish.
“You have to face everybody at some time, so I am never too worried when the fixture list comes out,” he said.
“One thing I would say is that the most difficult time to get the promoted team is usually the first game and the fact it is at Hamilton makes it harder.
“By leading the First Division for most of last season, they showed they are a tough side, though, at least we played them in the cup and that will give us a wee idea of what to expect.”
What really excited Craig today was the news an extended UEFA Cup from next summer will see an extra European place up for grabs.
“That is something to aim for. It would mean an early start, but I don’t think anyone who qualifies will complain about that.”
For Dundee, their opening month reads like a list of bogey sides from recent seasons.
On top of that Dingwall record, second-game opponents Clyde (home on August 9) won at Dens last term when they were bottom of the league and, after clashes with Airdrie United (a) and Morton (h), August will finish with a Sunday afternoon at Queen of the South.
Three times last season Alex Rae took his men to Palmerston and each time the result was a costly defeat.
The manager, though, believes such records are there to be broken and pledged his new-look side would be ready for battle.
“The way I look at it is we are playing two promoted teams, one who was in the relegation play-off and one who just missed it in our first four games, so you have to be happy with that,” he said.
“Of course, they will all be tough to beat and some of them have been investing heavily in new players, but it is a start I am happy with.”
Looking further into the season, for Christmas, Dundee will have a second tricky trip to Queen of the South on December 27 and then be New Year hosts to Dunfermline on January 3.
On the same dates, United’s festive period sees a home clash with Falkirk and then the prospect of starting 2009 at Celtic Park.
Unlike last season when the clubs were blighted by repeated Tannadice Street fixture clashes, next term sees them paired together only once — on January 17 when Motherwell are at Tannadice and Morton are due at Dens. |
