Derek McInnes to rotate Hearts squad ahead of cup trip to Hamilton

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes signalled he would rotate his squad ahead of the trip to play Hamilton.

McInnes kick-started his Tynecastle reign with a 4-1 win over Dunfermline in their Premier Sports Cup opener on Saturday.

The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager could now introduce the likes of Blair Spittal, Stephen Kingsley and Elton Kabangu to his starting line-up.

“Any cup tie away from home can be a bit trickier, on what is a new venue for them at Broadwood,” he told Hearts TV.

“We will see how everyone is fixed in terms of recovery and will pick up on the boys who never played as much on Saturday and see who is going to start on Tuesday.

“I think at this stage of the season, playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, we are going to have to utilise the squad, clearly.”

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is relishing the prospect of his first home match in charge when Peterhead visit Fir Park.

The Dane was impressed with the travelling support when his side drew with Clyde on Saturday before winning a penalty shootout.

“It was amazing to have more than 1,000 people showing up on one of the hottest days in Scotland, maybe an extraordinary hot day,” he said.

“Instead of them going somewhere nice in the middle of the holiday, they came and saw us and supported us and helped us all the way through a difficult game at times. We’re really, really grateful for that.

“I hope they will show up and support what we’re doing as they’ve done for generations. And then hopefully we can give them a good experience.”

Askou is still getting to grips with his squad and the challenge but he is enjoying the early days of his reign.

“Obviously every day, I learn new things and I hope I will in two years from now, if I’m still here, that I will say the same,” he said. “Because I’m a curious person, I like to learn new things and develop.

“But I’ve been really, really positive about all the experience and every day I’ve been here so far.

“I think I’ve come to a very, very interesting place to be as a human being and as a football person.”

St Mirren are looking for improvement when they make a swift return to Angus to play Forfar after opening their campaign with a goalless draw at Arbroath.

Airdrie will be looking to build on their shock win at Dundee when they host Bonnyrigg Rose, while Ayr open their season at Annan.