Milne out for season as Hearts' injury woes continue

What the report says

Heart of Midlothian defender Harry Milne will miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to head coach Wouter Vrancken. BBC Sport reports the 29-year-old was hurt in training while preparing for Hearts’ Europa Conference League defeat away to Trabzonspor last Thursday.

Milne has been an important figure for Hearts over the past year. He was selected in the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the year last season and was named one of the club’s vice-captains by Vrancken in July. The injury adds to a growing list of absentees at Tynecastle, with the manager saying the team will go into Wednesday’s home match against Rangers without eight first-team players.

Vrancken also said defenders Stuart Findlay and Christian Borchgrevink will need more time out, while midfielder Blair Spittal may return before Christmas. Another midfielder, Tom Renaud, is less certain to be back by then. Hearts, who beat Motherwell 2-0 on Sunday despite the injury issues, are four points behind second-place Rangers and are aiming to close that gap.

The report adds context that Hearts are managing a difficult run of injuries while also facing a significant league fixture against a Rangers side led by former Hearts manager Derek McInnes.