Stephen Kingsley will be given every chance of playing in today’s Edinburgh derby,
The Hearts defender sat out the opening day Premiership win over Ross County with a hamstring issue. Australian international Kye Rowles was drafted in his first competitive start on the left side of the back three, with Robbie Neilson unwilling to take any risks with Kingsley ahead of this weekend’s capital clash.
The Tynecastle boss revealed this week that Kingsley trained on Thursday and Friday before a decision being made on whether he’ll be fit enough to feature at Easter Road ahead of kick-off. The former Swansea City man enjoyed playing against Hibs last season, putting Heats ahead in a 3-1 victory over their rivals at Tynecastle, before lighting up the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden with a stunning free-kick that ultimately booked the jambos’ place in the final. With five goals over the course of pre-season, having him available could prove to be a valuable attacking weapon for Neilson.
Cammy Devlin could be in line to start after being nursed back from his own hamstring complaint. The Aussie could bolster Hearts midfield options after Michael Smith was deployed in the engine room against the Staggies alongside Peter Haring. He had to revert to right wing back after Nathaniel Atkinson went off ill, with Jorge Grant coming on to replace him and the number seven could be in from the start today.
Lawrence Shankland will get his first taste of the Edinburgh derby. However, the striker is no stranger to goals against Hibs, having scored against them under neilson whilst at Dundee United. He netted an equaliser in their 2-2 Scottish Cup fourth round draw in January 2020 before smashing in a stunning opener to put the Tangerines ahead in the replay, which the Hibees eventually won 4-2.
Predicted Hearts XI
Provisional Hearts squad
Gordon
Stewart
Atkinson
Sibbick
Smith
Halkett
Rowles
Kingsley
Neilson
Cochrane
Devlin
Haring
Halliday
Pollock
Grant
Forrest
McKay
Mackay-Steven
Ginnelly
Henderson
Boyce
Shankland
