Premier League champions Manchester City will hope to have the beating of Hearts of Midlothian in a specially-arranged pre-season commemorative match in Edinburgh next month.
The teams, who will face each other for the first time in their history, will be celebrating the centenary of the Scottish club’s Tynecastle Main Stand on July 18.
Scottish Championship side Hearts, who were in administration until two months ago, were relegated from the top-flight for the first time since 1982/83 at the end of last season after propping up the Scottish Premiership table.
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano told the club’s website: “Manchester City are honoured to join with Hearts FC as they celebrate the centenary of their main stand at the Tynecastle Stadium.
“Pre-season games are very important for the team’s training, but also give a special opportunity to bring City closer to fans wherever they are in the world.
“Edinburgh shares with Manchester a tradition of great footballing rivalry and we look forward to seeing the fans’ passion first hand.”
The evening before the friendly, both sides will take part in an open training session on the Tynecastle pitch which will be free for all supporters and tickets for the game are priced at £25 for adults and £15 for concessions.
While also a celebration of the past for the Scottish club, the match will also see the first steps of a future under new owners and new head coach Robbie Neilson.
The game, which could feature the likes of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Serbian star Aleksandar Kolarov, is just one of a number of friendlies The Citizens will compete in before they begin their title defence away at Newcastle United on Saturday August 16.
The Blues will also face fellow Scots Dundee FC before heading to the United States to face Sporting Kansas City, AC Milan, Olympiakos and fellow league rivals Liverpool in their other remaining friendlies.
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