Cove Rangers boss John Sheran says it’s “great” to face Hearts at home in their first competitive game at the new Balmoral Stadium.
The fixtures for the League Cup group stage have been released and the Aberdeen side will start Group C against Championship Inverness Caley Thistle in the Highland capital on Saturday July 14.
The Highland League champions will then welcome the Premiership Jambos to their new ground on Wednesday July 18 in what will be the first competitive fixture at the Balmoral Stadium.
Cove boss John Sheran said: “I’m sure the chairman Keith Moorhouse would have preferred Hearts away. But I think Hearts at home is a great start for us so the boys will all be looking forward to that.
“It is sure to be a good occasion.
“We play Aberdeen the Sunday before it in a friendly for the opening of the stadium.
“So it will be an interesting start, away to Inverness, at home to Aberdeen on the Sunday and then at home to Hearts.
“We enjoyed being in the League Cup two years ago.
“It was a great experience for us and we’re looking forward to it again this year.”
Cove’s third group game is a trip to Central Park to play Cowdenbeath on Saturday July 21 in a rematch of the League Two play-off final which the Blue Brazil won 3-2 in controversial fashion.
Sheran’s side finish the group against League One side Raith Rovers at home on Saturday July 28.
Meanwhile, Peterhead begin their League Cup Group D campaign away to League One Brechin City.
The Blue Toon start with back-to-back away games as they visit Glebe Park on Saturday July 14 and then make the trip to East End Park on Tuesday, July 17 to face Championship outfit Dunfermline.
The Buchan men play League Two Stirling Albion at home on Saturday July 21.
Peterhead finish the group stage on Wednesday July 25 when Premiership Dundee visit Balmoor.
League Cup Group C fixtures are as follows:
Saturday July 14
Inverness Caley Thistle v Cove Rangers; Raith Rovers v Cowdenbeath
Tuesday July 17
Cowdenbeath v Inverness Caley Thistle
Wednesday July 18
Cove Rangers v Hearts
Saturday July 21
Cowdenbeath v Cove Rangers; Raith Rovers v Hearts
Tuesday July 24
Hearts v Cowdenbeath, Inverness Caley Thistle v Raith Rovers.
Saturday July 28
Cove Rangers v Raith Rovers, Hearts v Inverness Caley Thistle.
League Cup Group D fixtures are as follows:
Saturday July 14
Brechin City v Peterhead, Stirling Albion v Dundee
Tuesday July 17
Dunfermline v Peterhead, Stirling Albion v Brechin City.
Saturday July 21
Peterhead v Stirling Aibion
Sunday July 22
Dundee v Dunfermline
Wednesday July 25
Peterhead v Dundee, Brechin City v Dunfermline
Saturday July 28
Dundee v Brechin City, Dunfermline v Stirling Albion.
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