Hearts and Celtic in fixture shake up as Europa League mission leads to Premiership changes

Hearts have had two Premiership fixtures rearranged amid their push to qualify for the Europa League. Robbie Neilson's side will face either Linfield or Zurich for a place in the group stage following the playoff draw earlier this week.

Those ties have been scheduled in for Thursday, August 18 and 25 for what are set to be two huge occasions in the club's recent history. If they progress, Hearts will become the first Scottish side out with Celtic and Rangers to secure continental group stage football since Aberdeen played in the 2007/2008 UEFA Cup.

But Thursday night games have knock-on-effects for domestic competition and that means the Jambos' trip to Celtic Park will now be played 24 hours later on Sunday, August 21 at 3pm. With their Euro second leg to follow the next week, it means their home match with St Johnstone has also been pushed. That fixture will now take place on Sunday, August 28 at 3pm.

Sunday August 21

cinch Premiership

Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian

Kick-off 3pm

Sunday August 28

cinch Premiership

Heart of Midlothian vs St Johnstone

Kick-off 3pm

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