Hearts’ head coach, Neil Critchley, admitted that competitive midfielder Cammy Devlin will be absentee in Friday’s Scottish Gas, Scottish Cup, quarter-final clash with Dundee at Tynecastle as he continues his rehabilitation following a heavy challenge in the previous round at St Mirren.
The Aussie has had a scan and seen a specialist and Critchley said: “We had good news. He was back out on the pitch, running, but this game has come too soon for him.”
Yan Dhanda is fit and Frankie Kent, Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley and Aidan Denholm are starting to make progress but it will be a few weeks before they are back in contention for a place in the squad.
The Englishman revealed that it has taken a few days to get over Sunday’s Derby disappointment in the William Hill Premiership at Easter Road but he believes his squad has the ability to bounce back in Friday’s tie (kick-off 19.45).
Critchley said that emotions were still raw but the fact that Hearts are at home in this quarter-final tie is a big plus for the head coach.
He said: “Any chance to get to Hampden is a big game.”
Critchley believes Tony Docherty’s men received a lift with their point at St Johnstone, however, he told the media briefing: “It is about us, it’s about how we play, how we play at home and we want to make sure that we show a response.
“Since I came in, back in October, we’ve been moving forward, we’ve shown progress and, in the second half (against Hibs), we weren’t good enough.
“We have to accept the criticism that comes our way and we have an opportunity to put it right in our next game.”
Tickets are still available and the box office is open at 10am on Friday until kick-off time. Turnstyles open at 6.45pm and fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid queuing.
The match is live on Hearts TV international with the audio only commentary available inside the UK and Ireland. The match is also live on Premier Sports.
FIT AGAIN: Yan Dhanda back in the frame. Picture Thomas Brown
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