The nine-game Hearts fixture gauntlet that'll push team to its maximum as battles assessed ahead of tricky run
A look at Hearts’ upcoming fixture schedule that throws up one battle after another.
The old adage in football is every game’s a big game - but Hearts’ run of matches from October through to early November fully embraces that mantra.
Wouter Vrancken’s Jambos have had a positive start to the season as they enjoy some rest in an extended international break. They are third in the Premiership, have reached a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Hibs, and are in the league phase of this season’s Conference League. There are exciting battles on the horizon but they fall almost consecutively in a blockbuster month that’ll show what this Hearts team is made of.
Stars are returning from injury, and in good time too, as everyone will be needed to get through this period with positive results. Here’s the fixture gauntlet that awaits Hearts and their possible prospects of success within it.
St Mirren (H, Premiership, October 10)
This run kicks off after a three-week break at home to the Buddies who have impressed early on in Craig McLeish’s tenure. That said, especially off the back of dropped points against Falkirk and Kilmarnock, this is a ‘got to have it’ game for Hearts with what’s to follow in mind. Saints were easily beaten 3-0 by Dundee United at home last time out in their first real off-day of the term and Hearts have to pounce. It’s a game they will be expected to win and anything but three points would be a blow as this one feels like the calm before a storm.
FC Nordsaelland (H, Conference League, October 15)
Five days later and Hearts begin their Conference League campaign at home to a side currently fourth in the Danish league. It’s a match fans will look forward to in Gorgie but three points would be huge. That might sound self-explanatory but the home clashes are going to be massive if Vrancken and co have ambitions of European football beyond Christmas. Draws on their travels would be warmly received but the aim in Gorgie has to be all three.
Celtic (A, Premiership, October 18)
European battles will raise the level of opponent, you would suspect, compared to most top flight battles but this is out the fire and into the frying pan stuff. This game will have heightened emotion at the scene of where Hearts lost the league on the final day of last season prior to post-match controversy. An amped-up hostile atmosphere will await Hearts and another big effort will be needed to take a positive result. Celtic not in the best moment but a draw here wouldn’t be a disaster for the Jambos.
Trabzonspor (A, Conference League, October 22)
This is arguably the most difficult fixture of the lot. Trabzonspor boast star talent like Liverpool icon Mo Salah and are an utterly brutal team for the Jambos to be paired against from pot four, which should really spawn a kinder tie. For every shock result like losing to Konyaspor, Trabzonspor have also handed out demolition jobs, including a 4-0 win over Galatasaray. Get them on a bad day and a night for the ages in Turkey could be had. A good day and it’s batten down the hatches time.
Motherwell (A, Premiership, October 25)
Just what Hearts need after trips to Celtic and Turkey - another day on the road and to one of the league’s most ball-heavy teams. Alfred Johansson has continued the style managerial predecessor Jens Berthel Askou brought to Fir Park last season but not without teething issues. They have been opened up by Rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee in three consecutive losses, but Hearts could be in for an energy-sapping day if Motherwell control the ball as they wish to. Rotation will be needed by this point, if it’s not already deployed.
Rangers (H, Premiership, October 28)
Halloween might not be for another few days following this but you’ll hear far more booing at Tynecastle on this particular evening. Former manager Derek McInnes makes his first return to Gorgie, alongside midfielder Cammy Devlin, since swapping Hearts for Rangers in the summer. It’ll be the reverse of what Vrancken’s men experience at Celtic. A bouncing home crowd will be there to roar the players on in a battle that has added edge to it. This is one in particular fans will want to avoid defeat in.
Hibs (N, Premier Sports Cup semi-final, November 1)
It doesn’t get much bigger than this, well, if they make the final things will increase in importance. Hearts have fond memories of meeting their city rivals at Hampden but there is a sense of the unknown to many now Marink Reedijk has been hired as the new Hibs manager. Vrancken will be well aware of him though from his work in Belgium at Beveren. Victory here puts Hearts one game away from silverware they crave.
Thun (A, Conference League, November 5)
Hearts won’t be about for Bonfire night as they head to Switzerland. The pot six team haven’t been able to build on success of last season. One of the tougher bottom pot draws but likely one Hearts will need something out of to make the next stage.
Falkirk (H, Premiership, November 8)
The end of a bonkers run concludes at home against former boss John McGlynn at home. Falkirk have caused issues for Hearts in 2026, losing in the Scottish Cup earlier this year, before defeat at the Bairns earlier this month. One they’ll be expected to win though.
Verdict
It’s not just the amount of games Hearts have, it’s the calibre of opponents that makes this stretch a gauntlet. It’s not back-to-back where they face particularly strong foes, it’s back-to-back-to-back-to-back in some cases. That said, get out this patch with a maintained spot in the league’s top three, a cup final place, at least four European points on the board, and limited injuries, Hearts will have performed admirably.