THE notion that the Old Firm are likely to dominate the Premier Division championship which begins today could hardly be more sound. It would, however, be misguided to presume that the other eight contenders' will not exert a telling influence on the outcome.

Celtic, for example, open their programme with a visit to Aberdeen, a place at which they had not won for the eight years prior to last season. That they were able to secure full points with four victories in the series against the Pittodrie side - for the first time in Premier history - is an indication of the strides they have made since Fergus McCann took control of the club and appointed Tommy Burns as manager in 1994.

Nevertheless, that north east corner remains hazardous territory far would be invaders. Yet there is a widespread assumption that Rangers and Celtic will settle the championship purely in the matches against each other, with the other 32 scheduled fixtures merely filling the calendar.

It is, of course, an idea, which Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, had little difficulty in dispelling. "It would be unwise," said Smith, "to think that all that matters will be the matches between Celtic and ourselves. Although there were 28 points between the second and the third teams last season, that was exceptional.

"History tells us that no two seasons are the same and nobody should be surprised if the others close up a bit this time. We had to win 27 of the 36 games last time to lift the championship and that was an extraordinary run of consistency. Celtic showed similar form and that created the gap.

"This time, we may have to repeat the form, just to make sure we stay ahead. But it would be daft to assume that the other teams don't count. I always tell my players that if you lose respect for opponents, you'll be at your weakest. It gives opponents an opportunity to take advantage.

"So we will approach the programme as we always do, with enough respect for whoever we're playing to ensure that our standards don't slip."

At Celtic Park, Burns's head is bursting with pleas from supporters to make sure that Rangers do not equal the Parkhead record of nine successive league titles, achieved under Jack Stein between 1966 and 1974. For many Old Firm followers, it is the biggest issue of the new season. Burns has a slightly less hysterical perspective.

"Of course, it is very much on our minds that Rangers have now done eight," said Burns. "There is hardly an hour of the day passes without me thinking about it. But it's not about preventing them from doing something. It's about continuing our progress and restoring greatness to this club.

"If we win the league, it will mean more to me that Celtic have won it than that Rangers have been stopped. Celtic Football Club is not going to collapse and die if Rangers win nine. It doesn't work like that.

Rangers, at home to Raith Rovers on the first day, will use the squad who beat Alania Yladikavkaz on Wednesday, with the exception of the suspended Alex Cleland.

Celtic will return Pierre van Hooijdonk to the front line with Alan Stubbs, recovered from injury, likely to make his debut in defence. But Paolo di Canio is unlikely to return from injury until next week.