Robbie Neilson has played down Craig Halkett’s chances of being fit to face FC Zurich.
The defender was forced off after just six minutes of Hearts' Europa League playoff round first leg in St Gallen last week. The Jambos took the lead through Lawrence Shankland’s penalty, but conceded two quickfire goals to Adrian Guerrero and Blerim Dzemalli to leave them with a one-goal deficit to overcome in Thursday’s second leg at Tynecastle.
Neilson rang the changes for Sunday’s trip to face Celtic. Ross Stewart replaced captain Craig Gordon in goals while the likes of Josh Ginnelly, Gary Mackay-Steven and Toby Sibbick were handed rare starts. Sibbick was sent off in stoppage for a second yellow card joining teammate Alex Cochrane in the dressing room after his earlier dismissal. The big guns will come back in to face the Swiss champions in midweek. However, Halkett is unlikely to win his race after straining his hamstring in St Gallen.
