Ange Postecoglou will return to Scotland as Tottenham confirm high-profile pre-season match

Tottenham have accepted an invitation to play a pre-season match against Scottish side Hearts as part of the Edinburgh club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The last time the two sides met was in the Europa League play-off back in 2011, which saw Spurs win 5-0 at Tynecastle before a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane. This time a lot won't be riding on it but it will provide an opportunity for both teams to sharpen their skills ahead of the season and entertain fans.

The game is scheduled to be played on Wednesday 17 July for a 7.45 pm kick-off, a game which is sure to capture the imagination of supporters.

A Hearts club statement read: “Heart of Midlothian is delighted to confirm that Tottenham Hotspur will visit Tynecastle Park in a friendly match this summer, presented by LNER, as our 150th anniversary celebrations continue. We welcome the Premier League side to Gorgie on Wednesday 17th July in a 7:45pm kick-off as both teams step up their preparations for the 2024/25 campaign.

“Hearts and Spurs share a rich history together, with the capital clubs’ first meeting coming in 1901 as the sides played out a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane in a World Championship match between the Scottish and English Cup winners. Most keenly, however, is the deep affection held by the two clubs for the legendary Dave Mackay. A player still remembered in reverential terms in both Edinburgh and London.

“Recruited as a 16-year-old, Dave was at the core of a relentlessly successful Hearts side that claimed all of Scotland’s domestic honours across four years, with Mackay skippering the golden squad of 1957-58 which lifted the championship - scoring 132 goals and conceding just 29.” 

Tottenham continue to work on a pre-season plan 

Spurs were already billed to play championship side QPR and they will honour that before the game against Hearts. They will then embark on a summer tour of Japan and South Korea. Starting out in Japan, Tottenham will play Vissel Kobe at the Japan National Stadium on Saturday, July 27.

After that, the Lilywhites head to captain Son Heung-min’s country where they are scheduled to play two games, one against a reported K League all-star team before ending it all against Bayern Munich where they will face former captain Harry Kane and Eric Dier.