Peterhead 0 - 2 Hearts RECAP: Robbie Neilson's men begin season with confident win

Hearts defeated Peterhead 2-0. (Photo by Paul Devlin / SNS Group)

Before the Tynecastle club can return to top-flight action after a longer than usual pre-season, they enter the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup.

For the second time in four years, Hearts make the trip north to face Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium before fixtures against Cove Rangers, Stirling Albion and Inverness CT.

Neilson has so far added one player to last season’s squad with the arrival of Alex Cochrane, while Josh Ginnelly has signed a permanent deal. There could be roles for both Loic Damour, who didn’t feature during the Championship-winning campaign, and Jordan Roberts, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Motherwell.

We will have live coverage of the match, from updates to analysis and reaction, throughout the afternoon.

Peterhead v Hearts LIVE: Updates, analysis and reaction

Key Events

Kick-off - 3pm
Team news - 1.45pm

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 15:04 BST

Good move

Souttar plays a cross field pass to Michael Smith. The Northern Irishman’s cross finds Boyce but his volley goes wide.

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 15:01 BST

Season 2021/22 is underway!

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 14:56 BSTUpdated 14:56 BST

Why Gnanduillet misses out

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 14:36 BST

Hearts’ League Cup heartbreak

Since Hearts last won the tournament, Aberdeen have won it five times, Hibs three times, Dundee United twice, while Ross County, Raith Rovers, St Mirren, Livingston, St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Dundee and Partick Thistle

Hearts look to end 60 years of League Cup heartbreak, disappointment and farcical exits

The League Cup and Hearts. A relationship which is less horse and carriage and more horse and loud noise.

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 13:48 BSTUpdated 13:50 BST

Hearts XI announced

Robbie Neilson has announced his first XI of the season...

It appears to be a 3-4-3 for Hearts with Alex Cochrane making his debut at left wing-back and Stephen Kingsley at the back. Josh Ginnelly and Gary Mackay-Steven support Liam Boyce.

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 12:39 BST

Captain Gordon

Sat, 10 Jul, 2021, 12:38 BST

New head of recruitment?

A stroy broke yesterday evening that a new head of recruitment is set to be appointed.

William Lancefield is the man linked with the role vacated by John Murray.

He currently works for Southampton and has worked with Joe Savage previously.

Peterhead could be without SEVEN

Hearts have been boosted by the news that their opponents could be without up to seven players, including Simon Ferry.

Four players were injured in a midweek friendly which manager Jim McInally labelled “expensive”.

READ MORE

Fri, 09 Jul, 2021, 16:33 BST

Good afternoon!

Hello and welcome back for season 2021/22 with live coverage of Hearts’ first match of the campaign against Peterhead at Balmoor.

Robbie Neilson’s men last played 71 days ago - a 4-0 win over Raith Rovers - and this will be the first of four Premier Sports Cup group matches ahead of the start of the league season.

We will have match updates, analysis and reaction throughout the afternoon.