Steven Naismith has confirmed that Hearts will be without four players as they look to defeat an out-of-form Rangers side in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park (21 April).
The Maroons’ boss was speaking in his press conference on Thursday (18 April) ahead of the cup clash in his first full season as a manager.
As quoted by Edinburgh News the former Rangers star has revealed that Calem Nieuwenhof, striker Liam Boyce, Craig Halkett and Peter Haring will miss out due to injury. This while former Celtic goalkeeper, Craig Gordon will start in goals ahead of Zander Clark.
He said: “Calem is still out. He is probably going to be out for a wee bit longer than expected.
“Gordon played last week to get more minutes and he will play on Sunday. Boyce, Halkett and Haring are still out, everybody else is fit to play.”
How will Hearts be affected by injuries v Rangers?
It has to be said that the injuries that Naismith has to contend with aren’t likely to have affected his team selection.
Boyce has made just seven starts, Halkett four and Haring five, totalling just 16 between them out of a possible 33 SPFL games.
The Maroons will be with Lawrence Shankland at the point of their attack who has been sensational this season. According to FotMob, he has 21 goals and four assists in the league while adding another seven strikes in other competitions.
They have won two, drawn one and lost one in their last four games which has seen them concede six goals so there is room for the Rangers attack to make a difference.
Philippe Clement’s side are winless in their last three and a trip to Hampden could provide the perfect distraction.
A 0-0 draw last time out against Dundee just enhanced the growing frustration at Ibrox. None of Kemar Roofe, Fabio Silva, Cyriel Dessers etc. could find a way past Jon McCracken.
With Hearts keeper, Gordon being an ex-Celtic star, he will want to do all he can do keep them out once again.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has torn into the Gers players after what they did against Ross County.
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