Heart of Midlothian’s preparations for their crucial Scottish Premiership showdown with Rangers have been dealt a massive setback, with both record signing Eduardo Ageu and experienced defender Frankie Kent ruled out of the trip to Ibrox.
Manager Derek McInnes confirmed the double blow ahead of Saturday’s clash, describing it as “far from ideal” given the high stakes of the fixture.
🚑 Injury Woes
Eduardo Ageu, who joined Hearts in a record £1.7 million transfer this summer, has suffered a hamstring injury. The midfielder will miss at least the next two to three matches, disrupting what had been a promising start to his Tynecastle career.
Frankie Kent, one of the team’s most reliable defenders, has picked up a knee problem. He is undergoing scans this week to determine the extent of the damage, but he has already been ruled out of the Rangers game.
⚽ What It Means for Hearts
The timing of these injuries could not be worse for Hearts. Sitting near the top of the league, McInnes’ side are aiming to prove themselves as genuine title contenders. The trip to Ibrox was already seen as one of their toughest tests of the season, and losing two key players significantly weakens the squad’s balance.
McInnes is expected to turn to younger squad members and fringe players to fill the gaps, with midfield depth and defensive resilience now under the spotlight.
✨ A Silver Lining?
Despite the setbacks, Hearts received a boost with the return of veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who has resumed full training after a long-term injury. His leadership and experience could provide some stability at the back as Hearts head into a challenging run of fixtures.
🔮 Looking Ahead
The Rangers clash will be a test not only of Hearts’ tactical setup but also of their mental strength in the face of adversity. Supporters will hope that the rest of the squad rises to the occasion, keeping their strong start to the season on track despite the absence of two key figures.
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