Versatile Oisin McEntee is sidelined for Hearts’ trip to Stenhousemuir in the Premier Sports Cup following his injury in Sunday’s last-gasp win over Dundee at Tynecastle.
The 25-year-old Irishman has not trained with the group this week, but he has, what is described as “a minor injury”.
He will hopefully be ready for the William Hill Premiership game at Falkirk on Tuesday, September 15 (19.45).
And head coach, Wouter Vrancken, is taking no chances with the quarter-final clash, having watched footage of the William Hill Championship pace-setters on “three or four games”.
The Belgian-born coach said Marvin Bartley’s squad are a good, well-organised, stable and compact side who have already beaten Motherwell in the competition, and that is was not luck that they top the table.
He added that an away game in a cup is always difficult, but he does not want to have a team which makes excuses. An early goal, he said, would be nice but it is a 90 minute game and Hearts have to be ready, physically and mentally, for the challenge.
The players have to rise above emotions and produce a professional performance.
Vrancken added: “It will not be easy.”
A day at Hampden awaits the winner of the tie, but Vrancken said he does not look ahead, fearful of what can lie at your feet, but he does want to quality for the next round.
CROCKED: Oisin McEntee out of the Premier Sports Cup tie at Stenhousemuir. Picture Nigel Duncan
