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Hearts Face Demanding Post-Split Fixture List

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, April 7th 2026 at 15:25 GMT by BBC
      Locale: UNITED KINGDOM

Edinburgh, Scotland - April 7th, 2026 - Hearts have been handed a challenging fixture list following the official confirmation of the Scottish Premiership post-split schedule. The Jambos, currently battling for a top-six finish and potentially European qualification, will face a demanding run of games against some of Scotland's elite and determined mid-table rivals.

The confirmation, released earlier today, reveals a schedule packed with high-stakes encounters. Hearts will be tested immediately, beginning with a home match against St Mirren on April 13th. This will be followed by a rapid-fire series of fixtures at Tynecastle Park, including clashes with Livingston, Ross County and Aberdeen before the end of April.

The most significant hurdles, however, will arrive in early May. A home game against reigning champions Celtic, and then immediately followed by the always fiercely contested Old Firm derby against Rangers. These two matches, played within a week of each other, will undoubtedly prove to be pivotal in determining Hearts' final league position. Securing points from these games will be critical for maintaining a strong push for European football.

Beyond these heavyweight contests, Hearts must also navigate away trips to Dundee, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone. These matches, whilst potentially offering opportunities to collect valuable points, will present different challenges in terms of travel and varying opponent styles. The mid-table battle is incredibly tight this season, and no away win can be taken for granted.

A Deep Dive into the Fixture List & Potential Implications

The scheduling appears particularly unforgiving for Hearts, who will be expected to perform consistently at a high level throughout a condensed period. Manager Steven Naismith will need to carefully manage his squad, rotating players strategically to avoid fatigue and maintain performance levels. The depth of the squad, and the availability of key players through injury, will be key to navigating this intense schedule.

The fixture against St Mirren serves as a crucial opportunity to build momentum. A win will provide confidence and set the tone for the remaining games. Livingston and Ross County, while not considered top-tier sides, have proven capable of causing upsets and will require focused preparation.

The back-to-back matches against Celtic and Rangers will be the ultimate test of Hearts' mettle. Successfully negotiating these games - even securing a draw in one or both - would be a significant achievement and boost their chances of a top-six finish and a potential Europa League spot.

Looking Ahead to European Qualification

The landscape of Scottish football is evolving, with increasing competition for European places. The introduction of the new Champions League format in 2024 has added another layer of complexity. Several teams are vying for the limited number of qualification spots. Hearts will need to maximize their points haul in these remaining games to ensure they are in contention. Their recent form has been promising, with improved defensive stability and attacking creativity.

The final two away games against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone will require resilience and determination. Both teams are fighting to avoid relegation and will be desperate for points, creating potentially tense and difficult encounters.

Full Post-Split Fixture List (as confirmed):

• Saturday, April 13 - Hearts vs St Mirren
• Wednesday, April 17 - Hearts vs Livingston
• Saturday, April 20 - Hearts vs Ross County
• Wednesday, April 24 - Hearts vs Aberdeen
• Saturday, April 27 - Hearts vs Motherwell
• Wednesday, May 1 - Hearts vs Celtic
• Saturday, May 4 - Hearts vs Rangers
• Saturday, May 11 - Hearts vs Dundee
• Wednesday, May 15 - Hearts vs Kilmarnock
• Saturday, May 18 - Hearts vs St Johnstone

Hearts fans will be hoping their team can rise to the challenge and deliver a strong finish to the season. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining their fate and potentially securing a memorable campaign for the Edinburgh club.