The Scottish Premiership fixtures for the 2017/2018 season were released earlier this week by the SPFL and it means that fans can now make their plans and look forward to the next 12 months of action.

Rangers are already deep into their pre-season and will be busy preparing for their European action before they can even think of their first matches in the league.

However there are some tantalising fixtures in the pipeline. This could be the most exciting Scottish top-flight season for years with Hibernian rejoining the fold, Aberdeen ensuring Derek McInnes stays at Pittodrie, Hearts still bullish about Ian Cathro's reign, Celtic continuing to push forward and Rangers themselves building strongly with new players aplenty.

Let's take a look then at the fixtures that fans need to mark on their calendars right now - the games that will get fists pumping and hearts thumping. These are the FOUR most exciting fixtures of the season ahead...

12th August - Rangers vs Hibernian

The last time Rangers met Hibs was at Hampden in the 2016 Scottish Cup final. It's fair to say that things weren't exactly left on the best of terms, on and off the pitch.

With the Leith side pipping Rangers to the cup in the closing moments of a hugely exciting final, they won their first Scottish Cup in over a century. Fans from both ends pouring onto the pitch marred the celebrations and there has been ill-ease between the two clubs and two sets of supporters ever since. There isn't exactly a friendly history between Rangers fans and Hibernian manager Neil Lennon either.

It all makes the Light Blues' first home league match of the season an absolute must-watch match and one that everyone in Scottish football will have their eyes on in August.

23rd September - Rangers vs Celtic

Last season, the first derby between Rangers and Celtic took place at Celtic Park and it set the tone for the entire campaign, putting Mark Warburton's side on the back foot very early.

This season it's Rangers who have the opportunity to pick up a massive win and carry momentum forward into the autumn and winter.

It'll be an almighty task but if Rangers can start their season well against other opposition and remain close to Celtic in terms of points heading into this one, then it could well be the most important derby of the entire season.

Perhaps thankfully for the Light Blues, Pedro Caixinha has made so many changes from last season's squad that most of them won't have bad memories of the fixture and it'll be a chance for the newcomers to make themselves Rangers heroes from the off.

2nd December - Aberdeen vs Rangers

One of Rangers' key ambitions for the season ahead will be overcoming Aberdeen and at least ensuring second place. A big part of that will of course be the four meetings between the two side across the season. The first of those away from home comes in December and it'll be a meeting that Pedro Caixinha and his side can deliver a significant psychological blow to their rivals.

Last season it was an arena of joy for the Portuguese and his players with the Light Blues picking up a surprise victory after three tremendous goals in the final 20 minutes of the last match between the two at Pittodrie.

It's always a hot atmosphere when the two sides meet, especially with a buoyant Rangers away support making the long trip North.

By this stage of the season we should know where the fortunes of the two clubs lie and this could be a real six-pointer.

30th December - Celtic vs Rangers

The New Year Derby round of fixtures in Scotland is always one to savour with local teams across the country doing battle for bragging rights heading into the new year.

Last season's clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox was a belter with the Hoops narrowly edging out Rangers in a pulsating 2-1 win. This season it's Rangers who travel away, making the short trip across the city to face their great rivals.

The last meeting between the two sides at Celtic Park saw Rangers pick up an unlikely draw in between the reigns of Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha.

If the Light Blues can do similar at the end of December then they'll be heading into 2018 full of confidence for the second half of the season.