New Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has said that his side's opening fixtures are the perfect start to the season.

Neilson's side head to Glasgow on the opening day, and will face local rivals Hibernian a week later, in what many claim will be the toughest Scottish Championship in recent history.

However, the 33-year-old claims that he is not daunted by the prospect.

He is quoted as saying in the Daily Record: "It's still great. The players will be desperate to be involved so they will have to work hard in pre-season.

"It's a fantastic introduction to Scottish football for the new guys and what a start to their Hearts careers with two full houses to play in front of.

"They are high-quality matches which give us the chance to lay down a marker for the season."

Neilson, who played for Hearts for 10 years, was appointed as manager in May.