2 – Hibernian defeated Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park to make a winning start to their William Hill Premiership campaign. A Kieron Bowie double was enough to help David Gray’s side bounce back from their midweek Europa League heartbreak. This was the second time in Bowie’s Hibs career that he scored twice in a match – the other also came against Dundee back in April. Hibs have now won four of their last five away opening day fixtures, stretching back to 2016 – the only exception was a defeat to St Mirren in Paisley last season.
12 – Celtic kicked off their William Hill Premiership campaign with a 1-0 victory over St Mirren at Celtic Park. Luke McCowan’s late goal ensured it was yet another successful flag day for Brendan Rodgers’ side. The last time Celtic lost their first game of the season as defending champions was 111 years ago, when they lost to Hearts at Tynecastle in 1914. The Hoops have won each of their last 12 home opening day fixtures – the last time they failed to do so was in 2007 when they drew 0-0 with Kilmarnock. The win also extended their strong run against St Mirren – they are unbeaten in 14 meetings, winning 12 and drawing two.
5 – St Johnstone thumped Partick Thistle 5-1 at McDiarmid Park to make an impressive start to their William Hill Championship campaign. A Josh McPake treble and goals from Jamie Gullan and Stevie Mallan handed Saints all three points in their first match in the second tier since 2009. It was the first hat-trick of McPake’s career, and just the second time he had ever scored more than once in a game – the other also came against Thistle, when he scored twice for Queen’s Park in a 4-0 win at Firhill. He was the first Saints player to score a hat-trick since Stevie May did so against Brechin City in October 2020 on their way to winning the League Cup. This was the first time in over 15 years that Saints scored five times in a league game in Perth – the last time was a 5-1 win over Hibernian under Derek McInnes.
4 – Peterhead kicked off life back in William Hill League 1 with a 4-1 victory over East Fife at Balmoor. Two goals from Jason Brown and one apiece for David Wilson and Kieran Shanks were enough to secure a comfortable victory over their fellow promoted side. The Blue Toon are unbeaten in their last eight home league matches against the Fifers, picking up six wins and two draws, including success in last season’s William Hill League 2 title decider. This is just the second time in nine attempts stretching back to 2012 that Peterhead have won at home on the opening day – they had drawn six of their previous eight openers at Balmoor with their only other win coming in 2021.
3 – Annan Athletic marked their return to William Hill League 2 with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Elgin at Galabank. The match was poised at 1-1 until the 89th minute, when Aidan Smith put Annan ahead, only for a Paul Watson own goal to bring things level in the second minute of stoppage time. However, Miles Gaffney popped up with a 93rd minute winner, his second goal of the game, to hand Willie Gibson’s side all three points. This was Annan’s first home opening day victory since they beat Stirling Albion 3-2 in 2016, though they did record first day victories away from home in 2019, 2020 and 2024.
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