HEARTS have confirmed they have been handed a major blow ahead of their Scottish Cup Final tie with Celtic later this month.
The Jambos who are looking to end Celtic’s domestic trophy dominance at Hampden will be without one of their top players after Craig Levein confirmed there would be no quick return for Stevie Naismith.
The frontman had to undergo a knee operation back in February with the Hearts manager leaving the door open for a Scottish Cup final return but it looks like the game will come too soon for the former Ibrox man.
“He isn’t even back doing running yet. He is coming on well and he is improving, but I don’t see him being ready, unfortunately.” Levein told SunSport.
Celtic have their own injury problems with Ryan Christie certainly out of the tie after face surgery to repair the damage done by Dominic Ball during the semi-final.
It was Christie and Celtic who knocked the Edinburgh side out of the League Cup earlier this season and the bhoys will look to add insult to injury by winning the Scottish Cup.
The auld reekin bun will be at hamdump. Maybe he’ll cry at how successful The Hoops have been without his influence. Since he decided to move to the cheats at the dark star fae killie all those years ago. But he has been paid well, for a has’been,