THE Scottish Football Association has announced Scott Robinson will be banned for Hearts' first three league games of the season, including high-profile matches with Rangers and Hibernian, following his red card in a pre-season friendly earlier this month.

The 22-year-old was sent off in the second half of the Tynecastle side's 2-0 defeat to Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad on July 4 after picking up bookings for a heavy challenge and dissent, earning a one-match suspension. But it has also emerged that he is facing a further two-game ban thanks to his poor disciplinary record last term, when he picked up 12 league bookings.

Officials at Hampden, though, have confirmed the midfielder is free to kick off the season against Annan Athletic this weekend in the Petrofac Training Cup.