Normal footie service resumes

AFTER a drawn-out hiatus, the wait for regular domestic league football to resume is over; and while this summer has had its fair share of sporting moments (like Roger Federer’s straight sets triumph that gave him his eighth Wimbledon title and made him the oldest player to win the tournament) there are few things in sport more keenly anticipated than the onset of the new football season.

Oddly, it’s the scarcity of other sports across the next fortnight that’s prominent, with major Formula 1, boxing, rugby and tennis events all enjoying a summer cessation.

In Scotland, reigning champions Celtic can grab the initiative as they kick things off at Parkhead against Hearts (August 5).

Rangers will travel to Motherwell the following day under intense pressure to make amends for finishing behind Aberdeen last year and pitifully exiting Europe at the first hurdle this season.

However, arguably the most interesting tie over the next two weeks is the clash between last year’s Champions League winners Real Madrid and Europa League holders Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup final on August 8.

United boss Jose Mourinho is endeavouring to construct a side capable of rivalling the Spanish giants but his former team may well be too good for the Red Devils just yet.

• Motherwell v Rangers, August 6.