Hearts return to competitive action this weekend as the new Scottish Premiership season kicks off with a trip to Perth for the men from Gorgie.
There will be several big decisions for the coaching staff to make ahead of the fixture like who should start in goals as Craig Gordon continues his recovery from injury and will Liam Boyce be fit in time to feature? Meanwhile, there are plenty of other calls which will likely be more straightforward after several players impressed during pre-season.
Here is our predicted Hearts starting XI for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership opener away to St Johnstone:
Here is our predicted Hearts starting XI for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership opener away to St Johnstone:
![The Australian looked unsettled at times during the latter stage of last season. He will want to rediscover the dominant form which earned him a five-year contract extension from Hearts just a few months after his arrival last summer.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/14/20763111.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. CB - Kye Rowles
The Australian looked unsettled at times during the latter stage of last season. He will want to rediscover the dominant form which earned him a five-year contract extension from Hearts just a few months after his arrival last summer. | SNS Group
![The third of Hearts’ four Australians, his energy and dynamism in the centre of midfield will again be important in the 2023/24 campaign. Especially when you are starting away from home against a St Johnstone side already fighting against some poor results.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/14/20769954.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. CM - Cammy Devlin
The third of Hearts’ four Australians, his energy and dynamism in the centre of midfield will again be important in the 2023/24 campaign. Especially when you are starting away from home against a St Johnstone side already fighting against some poor results. | SNS Group
![The Austrian is now Hearts’ longest-serving player after Smith’s summer departure and brings a wealth of experience. He will anchor midfield with a blend of aggression, composure on the ball and physical presence.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/14/20787071.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. CM - Peter Haring
The Austrian is now Hearts’ longest-serving player after Smith’s summer departure and brings a wealth of experience. He will anchor midfield with a blend of aggression, composure on the ball and physical presence. | SNS Group
![The Japanese winger is another who came to life during the last few games of last season. With acceleration and skill combined, supporters have taken to him quickly after he arrived last January from Vissel Kobe.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/14/20806049.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. RW - Yutaro Oda
The Japanese winger is another who came to life during the last few games of last season. With acceleration and skill combined, supporters have taken to him quickly after he arrived last January from Vissel Kobe. | SNS Group