Hearts likely to be without McCann for eight weeks

HEARTS were last night anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on their new signing Neil McCann, who tore medial ligaments in his left knee during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock. The Scotland international was prepared to have it confirmed he would be out for six to eight weeks.

McCann, whose first spell at Tynecastle ended with a move to Rangers in 1998, only returned to Hearts from Southampton last week. His injury came midway through the first half at Rugby Park, in a tackle with David Lilley.

"The only blessing is that it is not my cruciate, but six to eight weeks is still my best scenario," said the player, who lasted just 24 minutes. "I have to see how the scan goes but it is so very disappointing. I am devastated.

"I didn't hear the popping noise that every player dreads, but I did hear an awful creak in my knee. I knew then that my first game was over before it had really started."

The injury has dealt a blow to Graham Rix's plans of strengthening the squad during the transfer window. McCann was standing in for the suspended Rudi Skacel on Saturday, but the first-team coach has also identified him as someone who can provide cover through the middle as well. Especially with the Czech striker Roman Bednar likely to be out for the rest of the season, Rix's squad are still short of options up front.

The need to expand that squad was obvious against Kilmarnock, who could have won by more than the single goal. The absence of Steven Pressley, who was also suspended, saw a notable drop in the visitors' self-discipline and self-confidence, although the injury to McCann may also have had a depressive effect on morale.

"It had started so well and I had such a magnificent reception from the Hearts fans," the winger added. "It was touching.

"I was buzzing in the game and set up a chance we could have scored with and I was feeling so good. I tried to run it off, but it soon became apparent that I couldn't and I was just left so gutted."

Whilst Hearts' lack of a cutting edge was highlighted by the defeat in Ayrshire, assistant coach John McGlynn is hopeful the team's striking options will not be diminished still further by an injury sustained by Czech forward Michal Pospisil against Kilmarnock.

The 26-year-old, who has six goals to his name this season, is causing concern and is not expected to train today but is expected to return in time for Saturday's derby with Hibernian.

McGlynn said: "Michal picked up a knock on Saturday but we're hopeful it shouldn't stop him from playing this weekend. Hopefully he will be able to return to training on Wednesday or Thursday."

Lithuanian internationalist Edgar Jankauskas is recovering from a hamstring strain that has plagued him for most of the season and 18-year-old Calum Elliot will again be asked to lead the line against Hibs.

McGlynn continued: "Kilmarnock were well up for it on Saturday and we did not play as well as we have been playing. But if we want to try and maintain the challenge with Celtic and to stay ahead of our rivals below us then we have to play much, much better than that.

"There's no better game to be bouncing back in than the derby. It's at Tynecastle with the vast majority of the support behind us and we shouldn't have any problem getting the players up for it."

Meanwhile, the agent of the Czech international striker Tomas Jun has claimed Hearts have expressed an interest in his client. "Nuremberg and Sporting Lisbon have been interested for a while, but Hearts are now keen on Jun as well," David Nehoda said.

The 23-year-old left Sparta Prague for Trabzonspor last summer, but has not settled at the Turkish club. A spokesperson for Hearts said last night they were unaware of any contact with the player or agent.

Taken from the Scotsman