Robbie Neilson has named his starting team to face Hibs at Easter Road in the first Edinburgh derby of the season.
Hearts picked up an opening day win against Ross County at Tynecastle last week and will be looking to make it back-to-back league triumphs when they come up against the Hibees. Lee Johnson is in the dugout for the first time for the blockbuster clash as he locks horns with Neilson and Co. His troops won at St Johnstone last week to go into the derby full of confidence.
It's set to be a massive season at Tynecastle with the Gorgie club entering the Europa League play-off round against one of Linfield or FC Zurich. Victory would take the Jambos into the competition proper of Europe's second tier competition but should they suffer defeat over the two-legged tie they have the guaranteed parachute of Europa Conference League group stage football. But the priority for Neilson is today's derby showdown before next week's meeting with Dundee United. Once those games are out the way the players and fans can start looking forward to the start of their Euro adventure.
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READ MORE: How to watch Hibs v Hearts: TV channel, kick-off time, live stream details and team news
Captain Craig Gordon starts in goal at Easter Road.
Michael Smith, Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles and Alex Cochrane make up the back four.
Peter Haring, Jorge Grant, Alan Forrest and Barrie McKay are the midfield options.
Lawrence Shankland and Liam Boyce both start in attack.
Key man and influential Stephen Kingsley misses out completely after being given every chance to be fit.
Hearts XI: Gordon, M. Smith, Halkett, Haring, Grant, Shakland, Boyce, Rowles, Forrest, McKay, Cochrane.
Subs: Stewart, Mackay-Steven, Atkinson, Devlin, Halliday, Neilson, Sibbick, Henderson, Ginnelly
READ NEXT:
- Hearts transfer update as Jambos keen on 'a few' players but Neilson sends 'take time' message
- Hearts injury update on Kingsley as Neilson predicts the Jambo destined for 'next level'
- Hearts transfer latest on Connor Ronan and Lee Seung-woo with futures addressed
- Three things we learned as Hearts ride Ross County storm to ensure opening day Tynecastle victory
