Barcelona bound for Hearts clash

The game, which kicks off at 5pm, will be broadcast live on Setanta, but the competitive prices and the quality of the visiting side are expected to boost the attendance. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at 30, 25 and 18 for adults, and 20, 15 and 10 for concessions.

Barcelona, who will be based in St Andrews for the week, also confirmed yesterday that they will play Dundee United at Tannadice on Thursday, 26 July to mark the 20th anniversary of the clubs' meeting in the UEFA Cup. That match will also be shown live on Setanta.

The champions of Spain will stay at the Old Course Hotel and train at St Andrews University for the week of the two matches. "At St Andrews we have found the ideal training environment," Txiki Begiristain, Barcelona's Director of Football, said yesterday.

"The north of Europe is ideal for pre-season training because the temperature is not so high there. Furthermore, Scotland has always had a passion for football.

"We have chosen two very good rivals to fit our progressive preparation, and we look forward to playing in front of the wonderful, world-renowned Scottish football fans."

Roman Romanov, the Hearts chairman, expressed his delight at having successfully concluded negotiations to bring the famous Catalan club to the Scottish capital. "We are absolutely delighted that FC Barcelona has agreed to play Hearts in this challenge match," he said. "It is a sign of Hearts' growing status as a football club and business in Scotland and Europe that we've been able to attract opposition with the prestige of FC Barcelona.

"The match will represent a stern test for our squad the week before the new season begins. It will also be a very exciting occasion for Hearts supporters and football supporters in Scotland as a whole."

The deal to bring Barcelona to Scotland for the two matches was brokered by Platinum One, the Dublin-based management company which moved into the Scottish market at the start of last year when it bought Hastings International. "We had some discussions with Barcelona a year ago with a view to bringing them to Scotland in the summer of 2006, but we could not conclude arrangements in time," Fintan Drury, the chairman of Platinum One, explained. "

"Barcelona were, though, very attracted by what Scotland has to offer. We began discussions again last autumn and we are delighted that this time everything has been satisfactorily concluded."

A statement from Platinum One added: "The agreement between Platinum One and FC Barcelona binds the club to bring the full first team squad and to play its senior players in both matches." That detailed agreement lists specific names who must participate if fit, and should mean that key players such as Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi will appear. Both are due to compete in the Copa America, which runs from 26 June to 14 July, but they now seem to have little chance of taking an extended break after it.

The Scottish Rugby Union, the debt-burdened owners of Murrayfield, were also pleased that negotiations to stage a game at their ground reached a successful end.

"Bringing the match here means a lot more supporters can see some of the world's greatest footballers than would otherwise have been possible," said Gordon McKie, the SRU's chief executive.

"We are happy to be in a position to provide that facility. This match is also a great opportunity for Scottish Rugby to showcase Murrayfield to a different international audience."

• Tickets can be purchased at the Hearts Ticket Centre in person, online at the club website (heartsfc.co.uk) or by phoning 0871 663 1874 (24 hours); and through the Scottish Rugby Ticket Centre in person (9am-5pm Mon-Fri), by phone on 0131 346 5100, or on line at the SRU website, scottishrugby.org.

BARCA'S SCOTS TOUR

Thursday, 26 July

v Dundee United at Tannadice

Saturday, 28 July

v Hearts at Murrayfield