Predicting Derek McInnes’ first Hearts XI – Forrest, new boys, system.

Heart of Midlothian return to action just 55 days after finishing the season with a 1-0 win at Kilmarnock to begin the 2025/26 season.

It’s a fresh look for Hearts as they start a new era. Derek McInnes, the new head coach, has arrived in the dugout, along with six new recruits. There are also several recognisable faces across the team’s spine, including Lawrence Shankland, who is returning.

The first match is a Premier Sports Cup matchup with Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday evening.

Hearts will hope to start the season on a high note, gaining confidence and momentum in the League Cup before the regular season begins in early August. Hearts, including the Pars, will play four games in 12 days.

Trips to Hamilton Accies and Stirling Albion follow before finishing the group stage at home against Dumbarton. Writers Joel Sked and Craig Cairns predict the starting XI…

Craig Cairns

A summer break, numerous new signings, a large first-team squad, and a new head coach make projecting Derek McInnes’ first genuine starting XI tough. However, there could have been some hints throughout the preseason.

Three of the four halves of the match against St Mirren and Crawley Town in Spain were played in a 4-4-2 formation. A 4-3-3 configuration was employed in earlier this week’s 8-0 triumph over East Kilbride away. That implies that a back four will be employed ahead of Zander Clark.

Christian Borchgrevink and Harry Milne appear to be the front-runners for full-back positions, but with so much competition, McInnes will have a difficult time selecting only two or three coming season.

With Stuart Findlay’s ban and Jamie McCart’s injury, things have been slightly easier for the start of the Premier Sports Cup.

In their absence, Michael Steinwender, paired with either Craig Halkett or Frankie Kent, would provide a great balance.

(Image: Hearts Standard)

Given his physicality, Oisin McEntee will most likely form a midfield tandem with another player.

Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime are battling for the other spot, and the latter has been paired with McEntee several times throughout the preseason.

Things become more difficult as we move forward. It may not be what some supporters want to hear, but Alan Forrest might potentially start on the right. A position that no one secured last season and that McInnes has prioritised in the transfer market.

Alexandros Kyziridis, on the other hand, might begin even if he is not yet at the levels that the Hearts manager desires and feels he can achieve.

Lawrence Shankland will undoubtedly lead the line and wear the captain’s armband. Along with who is less apparent. James Wilson and Claudio Braga both had strong preseasons, but Wilson may just edge it.

McInnes has talked highly of the teenager, who appears to have bulked up and progressed following an outstanding breakout season.

Joel Sked

Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Alan Forester. The mere notion that he could be in the starting lineup later today has sparked scorn among some Hearts supporters.

Now, with Derek McInnes as manager, a handful of players out, new additions, and so on, it’s not the easiest line-up to select. However, I believe Forrest will be in the starting XI.

McInnes is likely to use a flexible 4-4-2 formation. So it could sometimes be 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. With Alexandros Kyziridis only returning to training on Friday following a knock against Crawley Town, Forrest is likely to start on the left side of midfield. The head coach believes he is better suited to this function than the one on the right.

I’ve mentioned it before, but Forrest is exactly the type of player that coaches prefer to have in their squad. McInnes told the Evening News this week: “I admire Alan’s attitude.

He is the type of boy that never complains when asked to accomplish something. “He will do whatever is necessary.”

(Image: Hearts Standard)

With Hearts still to sign the wingers McInnes desires, a space for Forrest becomes available. Given the wide man dilemma, Claudio Braga could be placed into a larger role. That may be on the left, and Forrest on the right, or vice versa.

Braga is adaptable, bright, and has played there before. Lawrence Shankland is unlikely to play the entire 90 minutes, thus Braga can easily go back to central when necessary.

Behind that front four, which is completed by James Wilson, it is a little more uncomplicated. There is a decision on who plays beside Oisin McEntee in the middle, but Beni Baningime may provide better balance.

Zander Clark, Harry Milne, and Craig Halkett are potential starters. Does Michael Steinwender play right-back or right-center-back?
Perhaps, but there does not appear to be much of an immediate danger from Dunfermline, so Frankie Kent and Christian Borchgrevink could fill the last two seats.

Zander Clark, Harry Milne and Craig Halkett are all likely starters. Does Michael Steinwender play at right-back or right centre-back?

Perhaps, but there does not appear to be much of an immediate danger from Dunfermline, so Frankie Kent and Christian Borchgrevink could fill the last two seats.

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