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:
![Boyce’s calf injury is still being closely monitored after he came off during last week’s pre-season friendly against Mansfield Town. He would be expected to start in a deep-lying forward role. If not new signing Kyosuke Tagawa could come in.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/14/20518655.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. CAM - Liam Boyce or Kyosuke Tagawa
Boyce’s calf injury is still being closely monitored after he came off during last week’s pre-season friendly against Mansfield Town. He would be expected to start in a deep-lying forward role. If not new signing Kyosuke Tagawa could come in. | SNS Group
![Shankland scored 28 goals in 47 appearances in what was a record-breaking first season in Gorgie. Those stats will be hard to beat, but as captain in Gordon’s absence he is virtually guaranteed to start when fit.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/14/20786965.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. CF - Lawrence Shankland
Shankland scored 28 goals in 47 appearances in what was a record-breaking first season in Gorgie. Those stats will be hard to beat, but as captain in Gordon’s absence he is virtually guaranteed to start when fit. | SNS Group
![Grant is the most likely to take up this position with Barrie McKay still recovering after ankle surgery. He played wide left against Leeds last weekend and Alex Cochrane is suspended so there is a decision to make regarding who should fill the role on the left side](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/02/15/20725017.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. LW - Jorge Grant or Alan Forrest
Grant is the most likely to take up this position with Barrie McKay still recovering after ankle surgery. He played wide left against Leeds last weekend and Alex Cochrane is suspended so there is a decision to make regarding who should fill the role on the left side | SNS Group