'A typo', 'Friday is the priority', 'announce best XI' - Hearts fans bemused and intrigued by line-up for Raith Rovers clash

Robbie Neilson has made eight changes from the side which defeated Cowdenbeath on Saturday to face Raith Rovers.

Peter Haring makes his first competitive start for Hearts since the 2019 Scottish Cup final. Picture: SNS

In comes Ross Stewart for his debut, Stephen Kingsley for his first start, as well as Peter Haring, who wears the captain’s armband, Craig Wighton, Harry Cochrane, Lewis Moore, Elliot Frear and Euan Henderson.

It will likely see Haring and Kingsley play at centre-back in a 4-2-3-1.

Fans, understandably, are a mixture of bemused, apprehensive and intrigued.

@perthtopaisley: “Erm.”

@TalkinTynie: “Where to even begin with that.”

@Amoruso1998: “Happy with this team. Plenty will be looking to impress and Friday is the priority in terms of long term this season #HHGH”

@RFBorthwick: “A line-up that critics are calling "11 footballers".”

@ThisMyStoryPod: “Announce real team please. Team was miles off it Saturday. You’d expect to see the best 11 at least start this game and get some confidence and more time in the shape, build understanding etc. League is priority but we haven’t looked anywhere near our best. Risky stuff Hearts.”

@cwramsay: “That line up's definitely chosen with more than one eye on Friday night. I'm struggling to work out the set up. Kingsley at centre half, along side Hating? Cochrane and McGill in the middle of the park? Henderson and Moore up front? Strong bench though...”

@sean51pearce: “Anyone confused needs to remember that Neilson said the league is the priority”

@StylishSmith_: “Delete this before anyone sees it, only good bit is Haring starting.”

@grandpa_flump: “Excellent team selection giving lots of young boys a chance. We already have 6 points. If we are struggling we have a strong bench. And the league starts on Friday. Delighted to see Haring start as captain. Good squad management by the gaffer.”

@theitalianjambo: “Peter #Haring captaining the lads is a joy for the eyes, amidst a pretty "surprising" line-up Lots of new faces, hopefully Robbie knows best!”

@maroonspecs: “Grumble all you want about that line-up, but I for one am very much looking forward to the Cochrane-McGill double pivot.”

@jocky1604: “Good game for the youngsters and a strong bench to call on if need be.”

@ross_bradley88: “Is this a typo as it makes no sense.”

@cowanauskas: “Certainly a different team but we tend to do well when we play strange teams like this. Friday the priority and hopefully Neilson has some thinking to do regarding Fridays team after today.”

@Loveofthegame19: “Livi’s 3rd choice keeper, 3 full backs, 3 centre mids, 3 wide men, 1 striker and no centre halves.”

@FraserASmith: “That team will put in a better showing than the last couple of games we've played. *He desperately hopes after putting Hearts on his coupon this afternoon.”

@PansHearts: “Quite possibly the strangest Hearts XI I’ve ever seen written down but football ain’t played on paper...”

@laura160598: “Clearly all eyes are on Friday with this line up!”

@WeAreScottishFB: “Great to see Harry Cochrane on team sheet for #Hmfc”

@JohnMyles1604: “No point in grumbling guys, not like he is reading this thinking aye, he has a point let's change it! Get behind the team and hope he proves you wrong instead of slating it first!”

@McIverTheMark: “Fully on board with this selection. Friday is, by far, the more important game so resting the bigger players makes complete sense. Excited to see what the younger guys can do.”