Boss faces early derby

HEARTS' new boss will face a baptism of fire - his first Edinburgh derby in only his second match in charge, it was revealed today.

The Bank of Scotland SPL fixture list for the new season will see Hibs travel across the city to Tynecastle on Sunday, August 7, with the match to be shown live on television.

But Capital fans will be disappointed to learn that there will be no derby to greet the New Year with Hibs again in Gorgie on January 28 after hosting the second clash between the Edinburgh clubs at Easter Road on October 29.

However, it will be the prospect of whoever takes over from John Robertson at Hearts - with Italian Nevio Scala today remaining the firm favourite - facing Tony Mowbray's resurgent side so soon after taking the reins at Tynecastle which will prove most intriguing.

Before then, however, the new Hearts boss will have enjoyed a lower key introduction to Scottish football with the Jambos travelling to face former manager Jim Jefferies' Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on the first day of the season, Saturday, July 30.

Hibs, who had been expecting to be on the road on the opening day, will instead face Dunfermline at Easter Road as they begin their bid to emulate last season's third-place finish.

The Easter Road club's matches against Celtic on September 17 and Inverness Caledonian Thistle on October 1 will be put back 24 hours as Mowbray's players will be in UEFA Cup action on the Thursday nights preceding these games.

Both Hibs and Hearts fans will be happy to know there is only one midweek league match scheduled, the Easter Road outfit at home to Livingston on Wednesday, February 8, while Hearts make the trip to Tannadice to play Dundee United the previous evening.

But Hibs supporters will be furious at learning they'll have a nightmare Festive period with the long haul to face Inverness Caley pencilled in for Boxing Day while Mowbray's side will again be on the road on Hogmanay, travelling to play Kilmarnock. Hearts, however, will enjoy the comforts of home against Falkirk and Celtic respectively.

Meanwhile, Celtic will open their campaign at Fir Park - the very place they lost the title last season in their final game.

Rangers will unfurl the championship flag at home on the opening day against Livingston.

Taken from the Scotsman