Hearts v Inverness CT: All you need to know about the opposition ahead of Robbie Neilson's first competitive match

Hearts will see a familiar face in the opposing dugout when they get their 2020/21 campaign underway with a Betfred Cup clash against John Robertson's ICT side at Tynecastle.

Inverness CT manager, and Hearts legend, John Robertson. Picture: SNS

Here's everything you need to know about the visitors.

Recent games

Robertson's side have played four friendlies in the last ten days as they look to improve fitness ahead of the new season. They comfortably defeated Elgin City 7-3 before hammering Nairn County 7-0, both away from home. A largely under-18s side then beat Clachnacuddin 2-0 before the first-team were humbled somewhat last time out, drawing 1-1 with Elgin at the Caledonian Stadium.

What the manager has said

“We’re not 100% ready. We knew that would be the case. We knew our late start would leave us with some stuff to catch up on.

“We’ve already said we’re using the League Cup as part of our pre-season plan.

“While we still want to qualify for the League Cup campaign – we’re not writing it off – for us, October 17 is crucial. We have to be up and ready for the league because it is a shortened campaign.”

Transfers in and out

In: Scott Allardice, Robbie Deas, Danny Devine, Wallace Duffy, Shane Sutherland, Kai Kennedy (loan)

Out: Daniel Hoban, Shaun Rooney, Charlie Trafford, Carl Tremarco, Tom Walsh, Jordan White, Jack Brown, Matheus Machado

The loss of Rooney and Tremarco means John Robertson will have an entirely new starting back four going into this campaign as he did the last one, after Coll Donaldson and Jamie McCart left in the January window. Trafford is another key loss in the middle of the park as he moved on to Hamilton.

The good news is that the signings of Deas, Duffy and the return of Devine to the club should help offset the loss in defence, while Kai Kennedy could add some extra firepower to the attack. The Rangers youngster is reportedly a target for several clubs around Europe and talks over a new deal at Ibrox have broken down. If he can live up to that hype in his short-term loan then he could have a significant impact on the club’s early-season fortunes.

Team news

Former Hearts defender Brad McKay has only just returned to full training so he'll be unlikely to feature, while Aaron Doran is definitely out with a knee injury. Lewis Toshney went off injured at the weekend which would suggest his absence from the squad.

Likely team to face Hearts

(4-3-3): Ridgers; Duffy, Deas, Devine, Harper; Vincent, Carson, Welsh; Storey, Todorov, Keatings

Even with McKay's absence there's a very good chance three former Hearts players will be in Inverness' starting XI on Tuesday: goalkeeper Mark Ridgers along with attackers James Keatings and Nikolay Todorov. Left-back Kevin McHattie is another possibility if Robertson wishes to play versatile youngster Cameron Harper on the left side of midfield.

If Kennedy is ready to go straight into the starting XI, expect Keatings to start at No.10 with one of the midfield three dropping out.

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