Heart of Midlothian

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Life is pretty sweet right now for Derek McInnes - or so you would think.

Since taking charge last summer McInnes has transformed Hearts from bottom-six fodder to title pacesetters.

They have a six-point lead over the Old Firm, with Celtic heading to Tynecastle on Sunday for a mouthwatering showdown.

Even with key duo Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin ruled out until March through injury, it all looks pretty rosy in Gorgie.

McInnes, though, admits he needs to "try and enjoy it a bit more".

"I'm sure if I saw a manager sitting at the top of the league for four months, I'd be like, how easy must his job be? And how good life must be?," the former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss said.

"But I'm enjoying coming to work every day because I know I'm working with good people and good players and the staff are brilliant. So we're all pulling in one direction to try maintain the standards that have been set.

"There's obviously always going to be wee bumps in the road and challenges. And there's no doubt the injury situation is a wee bit of a challenge at the minute.

"But I think when you've got enough good people, you take confidence that you can work your way through it.

"I should be enjoying it more at the top of the league. I'm going to try and enjoy it a bit more."

McInnes has got the better of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy in winning the two previous meetings with Celtic this season.

And he knows another victory over the champions - now helmed again by Martin O'Neill - would be "significant" in the title race.

"We've got a brilliant opportunity. We're six points clear. We've got a chance to take on one of our closest rivals at the weekend," added the Tynecastle boss.

"Regardless of what Hearts team goes out, we'll be ready.

"I think what the vast majority of fans have a huge trust in this team. We recognise it's a big game. And normally when there's a big game there, we bring a big performance.

"If we can win a game, it'll be significant for us because it's a great reference point for us if we can go and beat Celtic again.

"Celtic have been the team to beat over the last wee while. And they're still littered with good players. So any time you can beat a Celtic team, you take good confidence from it.

"There's still loads of points available. We've got a rough idea of what we think we need to get to. And hopefully we can start that off with another win on Sunday."

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Few people know the talents of Lawrence Shankland better than former boss Robbie Neilson, who signed the striker for both Dundee United and Hearts.

And while Neilson admits the game-changing frontman - who is Hearts' top scorer this season with 15 goals - will be a huge loss through injury for the next couple of months, he insists it needn't torpedo the club's title hopes.

"I remember watching the Dundee game a couple of months ago where Dundee actually started the game really, really well," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.

"They were probably on top and then out of nowhere, Lawrence scored a left-footed shot from about 25 yards, and it changed the game like that. And that's what Lawrence can do.

"A lot of the games this season it's been quite tight and then there's been a moment of magic, most of the time from Lawrence.

"When Hearts attack, a lot of focus goes on him from the opposition, and then it allows someone else to be free. When he's not there, other teams can then spread that kind of defensive line a little bit.

"I think he'll be a big loss."

Hearts have the chance to go nine points clear of Celtic if they beat Martin O'Neill's side at Tynecastle on Sunday. Should that happen, Neilson believes it will rule Celtic out of the title running.

"This game at the weekend is massive for both clubs," he added.

"Massive for Hearts to take that next step but also if Celtic lose that game, the gap is nine points with 15 games to go.

"I'm not sure Hearts will lose another three or four games to allow Celtic to go back in it.

"Celtic would almost have to win 15 games on the bounce and Hearts would need to lose three and I'm not sure Hearts will do that. So I think this game is a real pivotal moment in the season."

Former Hearts youth Marc Leonard is poised to return to Tynecastle after a loan deal until the end of the season for the 24-year-old midfielder was verbally agreed with Birmingham City. (Scottish Sun), external

Hearts are hoping to beat Norwich City to the signature of 25-year-old striker Kasper Hogh, who scored a double in Bodo/Glimt's Champions League win over Manchester City. (Sportsboom), external

Forest Green Rovers manager Robbie Savage is determined to keep 28-year-old midfielder Laurent Mendy at National League club, revealing there is no buy-out clause for the team captain for whom an initial offer from Hearts was rejected. (Hearts Standard), external

Queens Park Rangers have made a £1m offer to Dundee for centre-half Luke Graham, but Portsmouth are expected to come in for another bid after having a £400,000 offer rejected, while Aberdeen, Hearts and Sheffield United are also interested in the 21-year-old. (Sportsboom), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Image source, SNS

Claudio Braga admits Lawrence Shankland will be a big miss in Hearts' title charge, but says it is now on him and his team-mates to step up.

Derek McInnes' side are top of the Scottish Premiership, six points ahead of both Rangers and Celtic, with the latter coming to Tynecastle on Sunday.

Portuguese forward Braga, 26, has scored 12 goals and chipped in with five assists since joining from Norwegian second division side Aalesunds last summer.

He has formed an excellent partnership with Shankland, but the Scotland striker will miss up to eight weeks with a hamstring strain.

Hearts are also without the suspended Beni Baningime and the injured Cammy Devlin - who is out until March - for Sunday's vital match.

On Shankland's absence, Braga told Sky Sports: "Of course it's big. He's a very important guy in the team, not only as a player, but also as a character.

"The thing is, we have a big squad and need to trust everyone. That's for this occasions, the next guy needs to step up. We need to do that for him and for Cammy [Devlin].

"If there is pressure for me to score goals, I'm happy with that."

Braga insists the sole focus is on the next match, but believes "everything is possible" in their bid to claim a first top-flight title since 1960.

"We don't want to put extra pressure on us, so we just take it game by game," he said. "We're having a good season, so hopefully we can keep this momentum.

"I think everything is possible. Just keep playing game by game.

"We don't have some players, but we have a lot of quality. With our supporters making a lot of noise for us, it's going to be a good game and I believe in a victory."

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Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage says "the world's their oyster" in terms of the calibre of players the Tynecastle club can attract thanks to their success so far this season.

Derek McInnes' side are six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and embroiled in a three-way title fight with Celtic and Rangers.

Thanks to investment from Brighton owner Tony Bloom, and the use of his Jamestown Analytics data company for recruitment, Hearts' fine form is fuelled by smart signings.

Two new recruits - Jordi Altena and Islam Chesnokov - have already arrived in the January window, with Rogers Mato on his way and further additions likely.

Savage, who worked as Hearts sporting director between 2021 and 2024, says with the help of Jamestown, and thanks to their strong position in the Premiership, the Edinburgh club can now sign the type of players that would have been a pipedream in the past.

"They have signed some good players already," Savage told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I would imagine they'll do maybe two or three more because they've lost Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin to injury, so they want to make sure they keep that momentum going.

"The world's their oyster in terms of the players that they can go and attract and try to sign.

"When I was there, when we were second, third or fourth in the league, you could feel there was a real interest from players you probably never thought you could get because they're looking and thinking they could maybe get to the Europa League or the Conference League.

"Hearts can now say 'Look guys, come and help us get into the Champions League.' Every player you ever speak to, they want to play in the Champions League, they want to hear that music. So they've got a great chance of doing that at Hearts."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Premiership leaders Hearts face closest challengers Celtic this weekend.

Here are the key lines from the Hearts boss:

• McInnes is hoping to have incoming forward Rogers Mato available for Sunday's game: "But if not at least we know he's coming this month, which is good work by the club that we've negotiated that. He'll definitely help us in the second part of the season."

• On Mato, he adds: "He can play wide, he can play as a 10, he can play right across the front line. He's got pace to play at the top end of the pitch. A lot of his games he's played off the left, for his country he's played off the right, he's played central. Just a good option to have across that front line."

• Having had a bid rejected for Forest Green's Laurent Mendy, McInnes is "actively trying" to bring in one or two players - including a midfielder - before the game and says: "If you can get one or two things in, then it maybe alleviates minimising that risk with certain players."

• With key players Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin both ruled out until March, McInnes is "grateful" the injuries happened during the transfer window and not next month.

• On whether he wants to sign a number nine: "Possibly, possibly. Maybe somebody with a different profile. I think it's hard to get like for like. With the greatest respect, Lawrence is Lawrence. There's not too many of them about. But sometimes if you can't get better, you bring something different to the table. And that's always been something we've always tried to stick to."

• McInnes says he needs to make sure the club are in a strong position beyond this window for the remainder of the season.

• He is refusing to get "too caught up in team selection" until later in the week when he knows who is available, but is optimistic Hearts will be strong enough to beat Celtic again.

• Despite the injury problems, McInnes stresses it is not "doom and gloom" at Tynecastle: "Losing key players is part and parcel of football. I don't want anybody of a Hearts persuasion to lose any sort of hope or optimism."

• He highlights the "magnificent support" he has had in particular from Hearts benefactor James Anderson and sporting director Graeme Jones.

• He adds: "The ability to react to a situation is always reassuring for a manager. A lot of the time it's 'the budget's the budget' and sometimes the answer's 'no' - the majority of the time in my career the answer's been 'no' when I've went and asked the questions - but this time there's people here that are keen to try and support because we're in a brilliant position as a club."

• The Scottish Cup defeat to Falkirk on penalties last weekend "did sting" but the "one good thing" it brings is fewer games, allowing Hearts to focus fully on their title bid.

• Midfielder Thomas Magnusson is a further doubt but McInnes hopes he will train later this week. Ageu and McEntee are also possibilities and will be given as long as possible to prove their fitness.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Losing on penalties to Falkirk in the Scottish Cup will sting, but it was not the most damaging outcome of the weekend for Hearts.

The injury to Lawrence Shankland could prove far more costly.

Since signing a new contract last summer to stay at Tynecastle, the 30-year-old has been in outstanding form and his importance to this side is beyond dispute.

In the 25 matches he has featured in this season, Hearts have lost just once in 90 minutes - a statistic that underlines just how central he has been to their success.

Even that solitary loss, the 3-2 defeat at Easter Road, required a moment of brilliance from goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger, whose world-class save denied Shankland a late equaliser.

Remove Shankland from this team and the dynamic inevitably changes. Add in the absence of Cammy Devlin, another heartbeat player, and suddenly two of Derek McInnes' most influential performers are sidelined until at least March.

Throw Beni Baningime's two-match suspension into the mix and the narrative around Hearts' strength in depth is suddenly being tested in the most unforgiving way.

Yes, this is a big squad, but size alone doesn't win titles, and right now central midfield looks stretched.

Rogers Mato will arrive to bolster the forward line, but the greater concern lies in the middle of the park. There are internal solutions, but none come without compromise.

Harry Milne's versatility is admirable, but he is being asked to plug gaps rather than thrive in a defined role. Blair Spittal can operate centrally, but he is most effective higher up the pitch. Oisin McEntee's return would help, though his fitness remains a question mark.

Even the prospect of Stuart Findlay stepping into midfield speaks volumes about the current situation. It would add physicality, yes, but also underline how thin options are becoming.

With less than two weeks of the transfer window remaining, recruitment is now less an opportunity and more a necessity.

Hearts are about to enter a defining stretch of their season. Celtic at home is followed by tough trips to Dundee United and St Mirren, before another Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle. There is no bedding-in period available.

Hearts have shown little fear against the Old Firm this season, but the sense persists that Celtic, with Martin O'Neill back at the helm, will eventually click and when they do the consequences could be severe.

Given the mounting injuries and a six-point cushion at the top of the Premiership, pragmatism may be required. Avoiding defeat on Sunday would not be a failure, it could be a smart piece of damage limitation.

Hearts have bid for Forest Green Rovers midfielder Laurent Mendy, 28. (Joel Sked on X), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

We asked for your views after Hearts striker and captain Lawrence Shankland was ruled out for up to eight weeks, with the club agreeing a deal for Uganda forward Rogers Mato.

Here are some of your comments:

Gary: As if Celtic and Rangers need any luck with their resources! Cammy Devlin and Shanks have been Hearts' pest performers this season thanks to the roles Derek McInnes has given them. A massive blow that I fear is irreparable at this time of the season.

Jeff: Obviously a massive blow, especially on the back of the injury to another leader in Devlin. We will really need Ageu and Islam Chesnokov to get up to speed quickly and Mato to hit ground running. We have coped first half of season with no natural right-hand side, a different set of problems... got to stay positive.

Stuart: Shankland will be a great miss. He seems to be the glue that holds the frontline together. With the number of injuries we have it does raise the question of training methods and preparation for the games.

Ken: Huge blow as Landry Kabore and Elton Kabanga are not up to it. McInnes has a really hard job to get through the next eight weeks. He will need to try and get partnerships working quickly up front and some wingers may need to play off strikers.

Ian: It's a massive loss. I never believed we would win the league but I had hope, that's now gone. Why are so many Hearts players suffering hamstring injuries? Bad luck? Poor training regimes? I can't see anyone currently at the club scoring the number of goals Shanks does. The opposition will be lapping this news up.

Chris: Very unfortunate with injuries to key players, however the Jam Tarts are still in a great position and the transfer window still open. We have to speculate to accumulate, and now is the time to utilise Brighton and Union St-Gilloise contacts plus the Jamestown data coupled with the Bloom/Anderson finances. Quality cover must be brought in and then when Shankland is back we can finish the season so strong.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Lawrence Shankland has been back to his best this season, so his loss for up to two months is a colossal setback for Hearts.

The Tynecastle club have reacted swiftly to the absence of their strike talisman and captain, agreeing a deal with FK Vardar for Rogers Mato to bring in the Uganda forward this month rather than wait until summer.

However, Mato is unlikely to be on board in time for Sunday's top-of-of-the-table showdown with Celtic.

Mato's form this season is prolific - 15 goals in 17 club outings - but he'll have to hit the ground running like Usain Bolt if Hearts are not to feel the loss of Shankland, whose lay-off comes on top of influential midfielder Cammy Devlin also being ruled out for up to eight weeks.

Scotland striker Shankland, 30, is the Premiership's top scorer this season with 11 goals from 21 appearances and has the joint most goal involvements - 13, level with Celtic's Benjamin Nygren.

Shankland has also had the joint most shots (with fellow Hearts forward Claudio Braga) in the league - 57 - and leads the way for shots on target (27) while only four players have had more touches in the opposition box than his total of 96.

His experience and leadership are crucial too as Hearts - currently six points clear - try to hold off the Old Firm and secure their first top-flight title since 1960.

Hearts say Shankland will miss "the next six to eight weeks", so as a best-case scenario he will be absent for seven of their remaining 16 Premiership matches.

That sequence begins with the seismic visit of Celtic, followed by away trips to Dundee United and St Mirren. Then comes a couple of humdingers - derby at home to Hibs and visit to face Rangers - before games against Falkirk and Aberdeen.

How Hearts come through that run without Shankland could well define their season.

Image source, SNS

Hearts have been rocked by another major injury blow, with striker Lawrence Shankland ruled out for six to eight weeks because of a hamstring strain.

The striker - who has 15 goals for the club this season - joins influential midfielder Cammy Devlin on the sidelines as league leaders Hearts chase down their first top-flight title in 66 years.

Where does the loss of Shankland leave Hearts and their title hopes? Is a new striker now a must before the transfer deadline?

Share your views here.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hearts are hoping to have the results of striker Lawrence Shankland's hamstring scan later on Tuesday.

The Premiership leaders - who host second-place Celtic on Sunday - fear the 30-year-old Scotland international could be out for a number of weeks with the injury sustained in the Scottish Cup loss to Falkirk last Saturday.

Shankland has been integral to Hearts' title challenge and has netted 15 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for Derek McInnes' side this season.

Speaking after the cup exit, head coach McInnes said: "He doesn't like coming off. He looks a bit concerned about it but hopefully it settles. He's normally a good healer."

Hearts are attempting to bolster their attacking options by expediting the arrival of Uganda forward Rogers Mato, who has already agreed a pre-contract to join in the summer. Negotiations with his club, Macedonian league leaders FK Vardar, are ongoing over a move in this window.

The Tynecastle club are also keen to add at least one midfielder on loan. Cammy Devlin will miss at least the next seven games with a lower leg injury, while fellow key midfielder Beni Baningime sits out the visit of Celtic and trip to face Dundee United through suspension.