Christie: Title race won't be decided by Old Firm fixtures alone

Celtic attacker Ryan Christie believes next season's title race will not be decided by Old Firm battles alone.

The new Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures were released on Friday morning and see newly-promoted Rangers travel to Parkhead for the first time in four years on September 10.

Christie admits the Hoops are already looking forward to that derby clash - especially after suffering defeat to Mark Warburton's men in last season's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals.

But the former Inverness playmaker expects to see the likes of Hearts - who host Brendan Rodgers' new side on the opening day of the campaign - and last season's runners-up Aberdeen provide just as big a challenge as Mark Warburton's team.

Christie, 21, said: "There are so many games that are important this season. We start with a big one away to Hearts and there is also Aberdeen and Rangers to come.

"Having the Old Firm game back is only going to be a positive thing for the league and attract a lot of attention.

"But I wouldn't say it is just between us and Rangers. Aberdeen and Hearts will be looking to push on as well.

"I'm sure a lot of players will be keeping (the semi-final defeat to Rangers) in their heads but it's a new season and we'll be looking to push on.''

Christie made his switch from Caley Thistle in January but started just two games under former boss Ronny Deila.

Both those came in the final week of the campaign after the Norwegian announced he was quitting and now Christie knows he must prove himself all over again to new boss Rodgers.

"That's the plan,'' he said. "We're back in training on Monday and I'm hoping to hit the ground running,

"I've got no regrets coming down to Celtic because I'm very happy with the way I've progressed these last six months.

"Obviously with the way last season finished, scoring in the final game against Motherwell sent me away on my holidays in a good mood.

"I got a couple of starts in the final two games of the season so it has made me more determined to kick-on this season. It made me feel like I've got a future here.

"We've got a lot of big games before the leagues starts, so it's important to impress the manager straight away.

"I've not had a chance to speak to him yet but I'm looking forward to meeting him and to see what his ideas are.

"It's a brilliant appointment. I've been really looking forward to working with him since it was announced. It just shows how big a club Celtic really are.

"My mindset going into training next week is it's like a clean slate and your job to impress him every day in training and try to get in his thoughts of the season ahead.''

Celtic will discover on Monday who they face in the Champions League qualifiers.

Former Liverpool boss Rodgers has yet to make additions to his Parkhead squad but Christie hopes he can convince him he is worth a starting slot by starring in those crucial European ties.

"The games coming up are so big that if you play well in them you have managed to put yourself in the gaffer's thoughts straight away,'' he said.

"That's what I'll be looking to do and I'm sure the other lads will be too.''