KEVIN McHATTIE, the Hearts left-back, has been informed that he will be out of action for six weeks after suffering a torn knee ligament during a tackle from Rangers striker Kenny Miller, writes Gary Keown.
Miller was booked by referee Craig Thomson for the touchline challenge during the second half of the Tynecastle side's 2-0 win over their main title rivals in the SPFL Championship and was substituted a few minutes later with the boos of the home crowd ringing in his ears.
Robbie Neilson, the Hearts head coach, had feared McHattie would be missing for as much as three months and greeted the news that the 21-year-old has suffered a tear in a medial ligament with mixed emotions.
"It is not good news, but it is better than we had feared. We knew it was quite a bad one," said Neilson, whose squad has been afflicted by growing injury concerns and will also be without the suspended Morgaro Gomis against Queen of the South in their next league match.
"No surgery is required, though, with rest being needed. He will be in a brace to begin with and will be missing for six weeks.
"Luckily, we have Adam Eckersley who can come in. He's been really good for us and he was unfortunate to find himself out of the team [against Rangers], so we know we have the quality to cope. We know there will be a dip at some point this season, but the players deserve all the adulation they get."
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