The new Scottish Premier League season kicks off on Saturday in its earliest ever start.
The clubs have had just nine weeks since the curtain came down on the last campaign with several managers and players complaining about the lack of time they have had to prepare.
Champions Rangers host Hearts in the season opener at Ibrox but despite the early start veteran defender David Weir believes the Glasgow giants will be ready come kick-off.
"I think the short break means you get a short pre-season and you have to get up and running quickly," the 41-year-old said.
"There are some really important games really early in the season.
"There is no settling-in period but you quickly realise that is the case at Rangers and these are the circumstances you work under.
"We are all used to it and we all realise the significance and importance of it. We have got to do a job.
"It is a massive weekend but every game is massive at Rangers, you soon realise that."
Hearts might come up against former player Lee Wallace after Gers boss Ally McCoist raided the Tynecastle club for the left-back but manager Jim Jefferies says his club must finish third for the season to be a success.
"If everyone is fit and there is good competition for places, the targets are pretty simple," the Hearts boss said.
"We have to be in there at the top end, we've set a target of finishing a minimum of third.
"We know there are good teams there. But if we finish below third then it's not as good as last year."
On Sunday, Old Firm rivals Celtic start their campaign with an away fixture against Hibernian.
After coming within a point of the title last season manager Neil Lennon has emphasised the importance of getting off to a good start against the Easter Road side.
"The only thing is that it's such an early start and, on Sunday, it's vital to get off to a flyer," the Hoops boss said.
"Everyone is in the same boat, so we can't use that early start as an excuse.
"It will be the same for Hibs, who we play, and it will be the same for Hearts and Rangers, all the teams in the SPL. So we've got to try and hit the ground running."
Aberdeen boss Craig Brown has brought in a number of players in his bid to better last season's disappointing tenth place finish.
They host St Johnstone on the opening day with Derek McInnes' side almost unrecognisable from last term with 12 players leaving McDiarmid Park to make way for six new faces.
Scottish Cup runners-up Motherwell have been quiet in the transfer market with manager Stuart McCall bringing in just two players to bolster his threadbare squad.
They host Inverness Caledonian Thistle, whose manager Terry Butcher has slammed the early SPL start.
"We're off and running again on Saturday and we are three weeks ahead of most other leagues and teams and countries," Butcher said.
"You look at the squads that have been assembled by clubs in the SPL and they are nowhere near complete."
Also on Sunday Dundee United, who have had to face up to tough cost-cutting measures in the summer, welcome Kilmarnock to Tannadice.
Promoted side Dunfermline, who are the favourites to straight back down to the First Division, face St Mirren at East End Park on Monday night.
Fixtures
Saturday
Rangers v Hearts, Aberdeen v St Johnstone, Motherwell v Inverness CT
Sunday
Hibernian v Celtic, Dundee United v Kilmarnock
Monday
Dunfermline v St Mirren
Source: AFP
