Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) are gearing up for the start of their 2025/26 campaign with a Premier Sports Cup clash against Dunfermline Athletic at Tynecastle on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This fixture marks the first competitive game under new head coach Derek McInnes, who was appointed over 50 days ago and has been eagerly anticipating his debut in charge.
McInnes, formerly of Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, expressed his excitement ahead of the match: "I'm looking forward to it. It’s something I've pictured and thought about a lot. Saturday's about the game and the players winning but I am looking forward to it. It's a bit unusual, waiting this long to actually take charge of your first game proper but nonetheless I think it's been worth the wait. Hopefully we can get a winning performance and remember it for the right reasons." The Hearts boss will lead a team that has undergone significant changes during the off-season, including the arrival of six new recruits and the return of key striker Lawrence Shankland, who recently signed a new contract to remain at Tynecastle.
The squad is shaping up with a mix of new talent and familiar faces. Due to the suspension of Stuart Findlay and injury to Jamie McCart, McInnes is expected to field a back four that includes Michael Steinwender alongside Craig Halkett or Frankie Kent, with Christian Borchgrevink and Harry Milne likely filling the full-back positions. Midfield options include Oisin McEntee, who brings physicality, paired with either Cammy Devlin or Beni Baningime, with the latter having featured alongside McEntee in pre-season. On the wings, Alan Forrest, who has impressed during pre-season and earned McInnes' praise for his attitude, could start on the right, while Alexandros Kyziridis, returning to training after a recent knock, may feature on the left. Up front, James Wilson is tipped to partner Shankland, with both players having strong pre-season campaigns.
McInnes said of Forrest, "I love Alan's approach. He is the type of boy who, if you ask him to do something, he'll never complain. He will do whatever he needs to do." This flexibility and work ethic could prove vital as Hearts look to establish themselves early in the competition.
Hearts' recent form includes a commanding 8-0 victory over East Kilbride on July 8, 2025, which showcased their attacking prowess and suggested they are far from rusty despite the new management and squad changes. The team has been experimenting with formations during pre-season, predominantly using a 4-4-2 shape, with occasional shifts to 4-3-3, indicating tactical flexibility under McInnes.
On the other side, Dunfermline Athletic will be led by Neil Lennon, a seasoned manager and former Celtic and Hibernian boss, who is widely respected, including by McInnes himself. The two managers share a long history of competitive encounters, and McInnes spoke highly of Lennon: "I class Neil as a friend and somebody I've got such a high regard for. He’s one of the most successful managers in our country. He talks so much sense and I think it's a brilliant appointment for Dunfermline. I don't think they could get anybody better." McInnes also noted Lennon's enthusiasm for his new role and the potential for Dunfermline's upward trajectory given fan support.
Dunfermline enter the match on the back of three consecutive friendly wins, scoring 10 goals in total, demonstrating strong form heading into the Premier Sports Cup. Midfielder Chris Hamilton, a former Hearts youth player who spent 14 years at the club before joining Dunfermline three years ago, is set to make his first senior appearance at Tynecastle. Hamilton reflected fondly on his time at Hearts, saying, "I loved my time at Hearts. It's a massive club, a really good club. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club." He also acknowledged the challenge ahead: "I think we're saying that's probably the hardest game you could ask for, but exciting, that's on the TV, at Tynecastle, against a very, very strong Hearts team." Hamilton stressed the importance of belief and confidence, emphasizing that Dunfermline will not underestimate their opponents despite the disparity in squad resources.
Hearts will be without James Penrice, their left-back who made a surprise transfer to AEK Athens last week. McInnes sees this as an opportunity for Harry Milne, who has impressed behind the scenes and is expected to compete for the left-back slot alongside Stephen Kingsley, who can also cover left-sided center-back duties. McInnes commented, "I have always quite liked Harry Milne from when other people did not know that much about him. We had thought about taking him to Kilmarnock before he went to Partick and then we thought about taking him from Partick at the end of that season when we were looking at that position. But we wanted to look at him a wee bit more and then Hearts took him, probably with the intention of providing competition for James but James flew last season. He was way better than anyone could have expected or envisaged." He added that both Milne and Kingsley offer different qualities and will compete for the position.
The Premier Sports Cup group stage will keep Hearts busy with four games in 12 days, including trips to Hamilton Accies and Stirling Albion before returning home to face Dumbarton. This busy schedule will test McInnes' squad depth and tactical adaptability early in the season.
As the teams prepare to face off at Tynecastle, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. McInnes is keen to start his tenure with a positive note, while Dunfermline, under Lennon’s guidance, are eager to prove their mettle against a top-tier opponent. The clash promises to be a compelling encounter, blending new beginnings, personal narratives, and competitive spirit.
With both sides boasting talented squads and experienced managers, fans can expect a fiercely contested match that sets the tone for the early part of the Scottish football season. As McInnes put it, "Saturday's about the game and the players winning," and all eyes will be on Tynecastle to see who can seize the moment.
