The real stuff starts for Hearts this weekend as their league season finally gets underway.
Celtic are the visitors to Tynecastle on Saturday night to kick-off both clubs’ Scottish Premiership campaign.
The biggest decision facing Robbie Neilson will be who he picks to start in midfield.
Andy Halliday and Peter Haring have rotated throughout pre-season and the Premier Sports Cup, although the Austrian might just get the nod for this one.
It’s who plays alongside him that will be intriguing.
Finlay Pollock has burst onto the scene and is banging on the door for a start after his recent displays.
New man Beni Baningime has trained with new teammates for a couple of days and according to Neilson is fit and ready to start, although a place i=on the bench is probably more likely for the new number six.
John Souttar is expected to return as part of the back three, and the Jambos should be along usual lines in other positions as well.
Gary Mackay-Steven will face his old club if fit after really finding form following a slow start to his Hearts career, while Josh Ginnelly’s pace terrorised Celtic in last season’s Scottish Cup final and will be expected to try and do so again from the right.
Liam Boyce headed Hearts back into that game at Hampden and will be their main goal threat against the Hoops once again.
Predicted Hearts team: Gordon, Souttar, Halkett, Kingsley, M Smith, Haring, Pollock, Cochrane, Ginnelly, Gary Mackay-Steven, Boyce.
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