HEARTS star Jose Goncalves is almost certainly out for the rest of the season.

The Portuguese defender suffered a hamstring injury during the 2-0 weekend defeat of Kilmarnock and must visit specialists for treatment.

On the day Neil McCann checked into a London hospital for a knee op that will keep him sidelined until the close season, Hearts coach Valdas Ivanauskas said: "Jose's season has ended. He had a scan on his injury and the results were not so good so now he's going to see a specialist in Germany.

"It's quite serious and he'll certainly have no chance of playing within the next two or three weeks.

"Maybe he has a very small chance of making the Scottish Cup Final but we have a big squad and I will be taking no risks. The Cup Final is an important game for this club and I only want players who are fully fit, not just 90 per cent.

"It's a pity for Jose, who has been unlucky with injuries. He has done well for Hearts, especially in the last few weeks, but he has a big future in football."

Ivanauskas has again admitted he would love to take charge of the club full-time this summer after Paul Hartley became the latest player to give him a glowing reference.

The Scotland midfielder insists the stand-in boss has quickly won the respect of the players and deserves to be given the job full-time.

Ivanauskas said: "It's very nice the players understand and appreciate how I work and I'm pleased the comments have come from a big player like Paul.

"I'm really enjoying the job but it's more important the players are happy and like the football they are playing.

"We've played some really good football in the last few games and I'm ready to take the job here full-time. But of course the last word must end with Mr Romanov."

Taken from the Daily Record