DEREK GREETS HIS BIG KICK-OFF WITH RELISH

DEREK MCINNES is relishing his first Premiership match in charge of Hearts after an 11-week wait.

- Scott Burns

HEARTS v ABERDEEN 8PM, SKY SPORTS By Anthony Brown

The 54-year-old ex-Kilmarnock boss was appointed by the Gorgie club on May 19, the day after their final game of last season.

After a busy summer of preparing his squad, and an encouraging Premier Sports Cup group-stage of four wins out of four, McInnes cannot wait for tonight's blockbuster league opener at home to Aberdeen, the club at which he spent eight years as boss between 2013 and 2021.

"It's a bit mad, the fact that I've probably been here twoand-a-half months or so, and not played a league game yet," he said.