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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Ange Postecoglou set for Scotland return as Spurs face Hearts in friendly

Ange Postecoglou is set to return to Scotland this summer - for a friendly match against Hearts.

The former Celtic manager will lead Tottenham Hotspur to Tynecastle in July for a warm-up match.

The fixture will take place on Wednesday, July 17 with a 7pm kick-off in the Scottish capital.

Hearts announced the match will feature as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations.

Ticket and broadcast information has yet to be released but will be announced in the near future.

Hearts and Spurs are connected through legendary player Dave Mackay who signed for Hearts at 16 years old before winning all Scottish domestic honours with the club within a four-year period.

Mackay then moved to Spurs - for £32,000 -where he won the league championship, three FA Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and two FA Charity Shields.

Hearts and Spurs first net in 1901 in a 0-0 draw in a World Championship match between the Scottish and English Cup winners.

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 7pm 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.

"Spurs secured his services in 1959 for a £32,000 fee and quickly went on to write his name into the folklore of both Tottenham and the English game: in 268 league appearances he won the league championship, three FA Cups, one European Cup Winners' Cup and two FA Charity Shields.

"Dave Mackay was pivotal in setting up Hearts’ Centenary Match with Tottenham Hotspur in 1974.  It is fitting, therefore, that we meet again to celebrate our Sesquicentennial in 2024 in a spirit of enduring friendship and celebration of the legend that graced both our Clubs. 

"We look forward to welcoming Ange Postecoglou and his team to Tynecastle in July and more detailed match information, including ticketing for home supporters, hospitality packages and broadcast information, will be released in due course."

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