Image source, SNSHearts midfielder Beni Baningime is out with a knee injury but Christian Borchgrevink and Calem Nieuwenhof both hope to be available after their recent hamstring issues.
Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin expects to have everyone available apart from injured defenders Emmanuel Gyamfi and Kristers Tobers.
Image source, SNSHearts head coach Derek McInnes is looking forward to starting the Premiership season with a "tough" game against Aberdeen on Monday night.
The new boss is targeting all three points from his first league game but knows it won't be an easy test against a Dons side "buoyed" by their Scottish Cup success.
"We've been given a nice home game," the manager said.
"There are lots of ingredients in it, but obviously it's a tough game. Aberdeen are a tough opponent and they're a good side. They'll be buoyant after their Scottish Cup success last season as well.
"They've got a lot of good players. It's not without its challenges, but we've got to make sure it's every bit as tough for them coming to Tynecastle.
"I think we're all looking forward to it."
But the manager knows all their hard pre-season work will be forgotten if they don't get the job done on Monday night.
"We've been pretty busy in the sense of trying to get the players ready for this moment," he added.
"We had to get that process accelerated to get players ready for the League Cup. The benefit of that is you play competitive football.
"We finished the pre-season work off with a good performance last weekend against Sunderland.
"But all that gets quickly forgotten about unless you go and get that first win as quickly as possible. We're all under the same pressures as managers.
"With all the optimism, it doesn't matter how many signings you've made, you just want to try and get that first three points as quickly as possible."
We asked for your views on how Hearts are shaping up for the new season, which kicks off at home to Aberdeen on Monday night.
Here's what some of you said:
Jim: Any major changes at a football club take time to acclimatise but I do feel Hearts might well be the shock team this season. The manager was recruited in good time, new signings are showing promise and with Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland still with the club, we are in good shape. What we need is a George Burley sort of start, and build from there. We could realistically challenge Rangers for second place. I would set my minimum as finishing third and winning one cup.
Chris: Derek McInnes wasn't my first choice as manager, but he's a solid operator at this level, so if nothing else I expect us to be hard to beat. Seeing the new level of physicality has been badly missed. Only time will tell if we recruited broadly or quality, hoping the latter is what we enjoy this season. Here we go.
Chris: Hearts will split the Old Firm this season. We are strong, fast, sharp and working together. Rangers have brought in players who already look like duds. This is our year.
Nelson: McInnes seems to be the pragmatic and experienced manager that Hearts deserve. Recruitment seems to have been sensible as well. It's not too much to hope for a good cup run and at least top four in the league. Hearts have underachieved for a long time, but it has been obvious we have needed more mobility, height and goalscorers. McInnes and Tony Bloom's analytics seems to have addressed all of those factors. This may all be mindless optimism, but it can't be as bad as the hapless Neil Critchley era, can it?
Dave: After a good start, and mind you against lower-league opposition, talk of a third-place finish is way too premature. Lots of new, and some familiar faces all vying for a spot in the starting line-up, sounds positive and competitive, but can have its downside. There will be a few ups and downs in the first run of league fixtures which will show where we stand and from that some continuity may be found. Finishing in the top six is a must.
John: Only one thing to say, look out Scottish Premiership, here we come!
The side playing at home has lost none of the past 23 Scottish Premiership matches between Hearts and Aberdeen (W17 D6) since the Dons' 2-1 win at Tynecastle in May 2017.
This will be the third time in the 21st century that Hearts and Aberdeen have met on matchday one of a league season, after 2003-04 (Hearts won 2-0) and 2019-20 (Aberdeen won 3-2).
Hearts have won the opening game in three of their four Scottish Premiership seasons since they were promoted in 2021 (D1), although their last opening-day defeat was to Aberdeen in 2019-20 (3-2).
Aberdeen have only lost on the opening day in two of their past 10 league campaigns (W5 D3), defeats to Rangers in 2020-21 (1-0) and Celtic in 2022-23 (2-0).
This will be Derek McInnes' first league game in charge of Hearts, making them the fourth club he has managed in the Scottish top fight (also St Johnstone, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock). He will be only the second manager to take charge of four separate clubs in Scotland's top tier in the 21st century, after John Hughes (Falkirk, Hibernian, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ross County).
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSHearts manager Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before the opening Premiership match against Aberdeen on Monday night.
Here are the key points:
The squad is in a good place and "ready to go". McInnes admits the "benefit" of the League Cup means Hearts have already played a good amount of competitive football.
There is "frustration" over the Pierre Landry Kabore deal dragging on as the club await paperwork to be completed for his move from Estonian side JK Narva Trans. McInnes says "we have done everything we can" and the Burkina Faso forward is "itching to get going".
Hearts are "quite well down the road" with their attempts to sign Icelandic midfielder Tomas Magnusson from Valur and there's a chance he may join in time for Monday's match.
McInnes knows Hearts have "a lot to do to make up for last season" and is targeting a European place and reaching a cup final in his first year in charge.
He adds: "To be 90 minutes away from silverware, that's got to be the aim. I don't think any Hearts player, manager or staff should shy away from that demand. We accept it and we've got to go and set about the task of doing that. We're not here to mess about."
On the feelgood factor at Hearts and excitement of the Tony Bloom investment: "Yeah, I think you've got to try and tap into anything. You work hard as a club to get to where we are at the minute. I think the off-field stuff is clearly exciting for the supporters and exciting for us to be part of because we all want to work for clubs with ambition."
Team news: Christian Borchgrevink will be fine and Calem Nieuwenhof should be okay, but Beni Baningime is doubtful.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Hearts fans will simply not put up with another season like the last. And the evidence so far suggests the 2025-26 campaign could be a belter.
With Derek McInnes in as manager the players have a leader who knows what is required to be a success.
And with the tools from Jamestown Analytics at his disposal, and already showing signs of success, there can be no excuses now that the thorny issue of recruitment should be an ongoing problem.
Scoring 16 goals in their four league cup matches with nine different players finding the net tells us Hearts can create multiple opportunities.
However, the acid test will come on Monday night under the Tynecastle lights against Aberdeen in their Premiership opener.
Among the full house will be a very special guest in the main stand watching with great interest.
Tony Bloom, who has invested nearly £10m in the club over the summer, will be keen to have his first look at Hearts and see exactly how some of his cash is being spent.
But win or lose on Monday Hearts will always be a big story this season. There are many changes taking place at the club behind the scenes and by December a new chairperson will have been appointed to succeed Ann Budge.
Budge will, however, remain on the board and her experience over the past 11 years will prove invaluable to her successor.
But first and foremost it's results on the pitch fans want to see - and a victory on Monday against one of Hearts' biggest rivals this season would be an early statement of intent.
Greg Playfair
Fan writer
Where will you finish in the league and why?
Third. I appreciate it's a sizeable jump from bottom six to best of the rest outwith the Old Firm, but I am convinced for a whole host of reasons.
After having won every game in the League Cup group stage - while scoring four goals in each match - with a plethora of exciting new signings from across the continent and having one of the most streetwise managers, Derek McInnes, at our helm, I've got a good feeling about the next 10 months.
Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?
The re-signing of Lawrence Shankland. All of Scottish football knows the potency he is capable of when firing on all cylinders.
Having committed himself to the next three seasons in Gorgie and with a target of netting 100 goals in maroon as quickly as possible, I reckon he'll get a good chunk of the 29 he needs before we wrap up next summer.
What do you want from your manager this season?
I want McInnes to fulfil the promise he made in his first press conference when he said he wants opposition players and fans to hate playing against Hearts again.
Too often, teams have relished coming to Tynecastle and sat back watching us have 60%-plus possession only to do nothing with it and drop points. We've already seen a real increase in intensity and physicality in the League Cup campaign and I hope that lays the foundation of success in the league.
Who will be the breakout star in your squad?
Portuguese attacker Claudio Braga and Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis have taken early plaudits but a less fashionable choice I reckon will be Irish utility player Oisin McEntee.
Standing at 6ft 4in, it feels like McInnes has created him in a science laboratory as he has all the attributes he looks for in a player. McEntee is physical, versatile, tenacious and has good movement. He's also surprisingly good on the ball for someone who last season plied their trade at centre-half, and I think his importance will grow as the season progresses.
What is your one major concern?
Our squad is far too big and unsustainable in terms of the wages we pay out. There are 30 first-team players, with rumours of two more imminent signings – which would mean we could almost field three different starting 11s.
Academy prospects won't be able to replicate the feats of James Wilson due to so much deadwood standing in their way. We could lose six or seven fringe players tomorrow and it wouldn't make a difference to a matchday squad of 20.
Valur midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson, 22, will fly to Edinburgh this week to undergo a medical and sign a long-term deal with Hearts. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
New Hearts defender Oisin McEntee, 24, wants to bring his "nasty" side to Tynecastle this season. (Scotsman - subscription required), external
Meanwhile, Hearts have signed a co-operation agreement with Spartans. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Defender Mats Knoester, 26, is confident Aberdeen can end their eight-year wait for a win at Tynecastle when they visit Hearts in their opening Scottish Premiership fixture on 4 August. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Heart of Midlothian transfer target Tomas Magnusson sat out Valur's game against Hafnarfjaroar, suggesting that a move to Tynecastle is close for the 22-year-old midfielder. (Record), external
Pierre Landry Kabore, 24, has been in Edinburgh for two weeks and Hearts could confirm the signing of the Trans Narva winger early this week. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSSt Mirren host Hearts in the second round of the League Cup.
The Buddies overcame Ayr United 2-1 to top Group D, while Hearts finished first in Group E.
Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.
Image source, SNSHearts' summer signing Claudio Braga "couldn't be any happier" at Tynecastle, says manager Derek McInnes, but he's not a big fan of his celebration.
The 25-year-old Portuguese forward joined from Norwegian club Aalesunds in June and has scored three League Cup goals in four appearances.
He then headed in against Premier League side Sunderland in Craig Gordon's testimonial on Saturday afternoon in front of a home support who will already be anticipating big things from him this season.
"He's a boy who's so willing to work, he's desperate to please," said McInnes.
"He's also got the quality to go on the back of that.
"But with that quality, there's a real honesty. He's desperate to do well in a Hearts shirt.
"He's living his best life since he signed here. He couldn't be any happier, and I think that plays out on the pitch, to be honest.
"He's really embraced us so quickly. The fans will really take to him if he keeps scoring goals, first and foremost. But even aside from his goals, his work-rate and his link-up play has been very good."
Braga has been running to the corner flag and emulating his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo's famous "Siu" celebration after his strikes. Something McInnes isn't a big fan of, and revealed his teammates have already started dishing out fines for it.
"Truthfully, no," McInnes said smiling, when asked if he's a fan of the celebration.
"No, but it's a bit of fun, isn't it? And the kids, the support will like it, and the supporters will anticipate that now.
"I think every time he does it, he gets fined by the boys, but hopefully we can hear it a lot more."
Heart of Midlothian are hoping to announce the signing of 24-year-old Burkina Faso forward Pierre Landry Kabore from Trans Narva on Monday. (Hearts Standard), external
Valur Reykjavik midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson is eager to leave his native Iceland amid a six-figure offer from Hearts for the 22-year-old. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Image source, SNSClaudio Braga opened the scoring for Hearts against Sunderland
Craig Gordon said it is a "special day" he will "always remember" despite being unable to play more than a minute of his testimonial as his Heart of Midlothian side beat Sunderland 3-0.
The 42-year-old Scotland goalkeeper is recovering from injury and stressed that the game against the club he left Hearts to join in 2007 does not mark the end of his career.
"That's the reason I couldn't play more today," Gordon told Hearts TV. "The medical team just wouldn't allow it and I understand why. It was just too dangerous - too big a risk.
"To play the one minute, I managed to complete my one pass to the dugout as I was instructed to and walk off with a clean sheet, it's all positive."
Goals from Claudio Braga, Lawrence Shankland and Alexandros Kyziridis helped Gordon's mood further.
"It was always going to be a special day for me and the boys made sure of it with a great performance and a great win," he said.
"Walking out to that reception and that amount of fans in the stadium. I've never seen that for a testimonial at Hearts before.
"So to be here and experience that will be something I'll always remember."
Gordon joked that he could have played given how little the visitors did to trouble replacement Zander Clark.
"As it turns out, I probably would have been okay to play as Zander wasn't called upon too many times," he added.
"You never know going into a game how much you are going to be worked and they took the safety first approach, which I can totally understand."
The friendly win comes after Hearts won their Premier Sports Cup group with four four-goal victories that have fans full of optimism as they prepare to start their Premiership campaign next weekend.
"Three goals today - not quite the four we've been used to - but still a very good day's work against quality opposition," Gordon added.
"Really pleasing for us to build that confidence going into next week against Aberdeen but also for the fans to get excited and to some of the new players and see what they can bring to the team as well."
Image source, SNSHearts cruised to victory against Premier League opponents Sunderland in goalkeeper Craig Gordon's testimonial.
The Scotland international, and the nation's fourth-most capped player, left Tynecastle in 2007 for Sunderland, who fielded a strong side for their visit to Edinburgh.
Gordon walked out to a guard of honour and started the match, but he left the pitch in a planned substitution with Zander Clark in the opening minute as he continues his recovery from an injury that will keep him sidelined until about October.
Summer signing Claudio Braga headed Hearts in front after 10 minutes, with the forward spurning the chance to add a second before the interval.
Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland side-footed in the host's second just after the hour mark before another summer addition, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, added the third.
Image source, SNSLivingston have signed Aidan Denholm from fellow top-flight club Hearts on a three-year deal.
The 21-year-old midfielder spent the start of last season on loan at Ross County, but his stay in Dingwall was cut short due to injury.
Denholm made his debut for Hearts in 2021, before loan moves to Berwick Rangers, East Fife, and County.
He is on the Livingston bench for their League Cup match with Kelty Hearts.
Heart of Midlothian have made an offer for 22-year-old Valur midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson. (Hearts Standard), external
Image source, SNSHearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has paid tribute to outgoing chair Ann Budge and revealed he is not involved in the hunt for her successor.
Budge, who rescued the club from administration in 2014, announced last month she would be stepping down from her role in December.
"I'm not actively involved in bringing in the new chair," McKinlay told Hearts TV.
"As much as it would be nice to decide who my new boss is, it wouldn't be appropriate so that's being led by three of the non-executive directors.
"We've got a little bit of time but we will make an announcement in due course.
"It goes without saying this club owes an incredible debt of gratitude, and all the fans owe Ann an incredible debt of gratitude.
"She was instrumental in bringing the club out of administration in 2014 and I don't think you can overestimate how important she was to that and to the rebuilding of the club.
"She's been instrumental in bringing Tony Bloom to the table and I think she views this now as the time to pass on the baton."
With Bloom having bought a 29% stake in Hearts for £9.86m this summer, McKinlay is excited about the start of another new era at Tynecastle.
Brighton owner Bloom will be in attendance at Tynecastle on 4 August for Hearts' Premiership opener against Aberdeen.
"Isn't it great to see that he's up here immediately to see the games?" McKinlay said.
"He's not someone who doesn't care about what's going on, far from it. He's so invested in Hearts and to have him up here for that game, I think he's looking to go the game at Tannadice the following week as well, it's just brilliant."
Read more: Hearts close to Kabore signing but exits expected
