Two ‘home’ games are switched for stand work

Hearts have struck a deal that will see their two opening Ladbrokes Premiership “home” matches played at Motherwell and Kilmarnock instead.

The fixture list released last week had Hearts scheduled to host the Steelmen on Saturday 12 August, with Killie visiting Gorgie on 26 August.

However, Hearts chiefs had already informed Scottish Professional Football League bosses that Tynecastle would be out of commission until early September while work on their new £12 million main stand is completed.

But a solution has now been found with Motherwell and Kilmarnock both agreeing to reverse their fixtures, meaning Hearts will travel to Fir Park on the second week of the new season, before heading to Rugby Park a fortnight later.

As a result, Hearts’ home fixtureagainstkilmarnock will now be played at Tynecastle on 4 November , with Motherwell making the trip east on 9 December.

Ian Cathro’s team will run out for the first time in front of the new structure when they host Aberdeen on Saturday 9 September.