Hearts lose McEntee and Magnusson for rest of Premiership season

Hearts will be without midfielders Oisin McEntee and Tomas Magnusson for the rest of the Scottish Premiership season due to injuries.

Injury blow for Hearts Heart of Midlothian manager Derek McInnes has confirmed that midfielders Oisin McEntee and Tomas Magnusson will not play again this season. The pair made a total of 61 appearances for the club in the current campaign, with McEntee scoring five goals and Magnusson contributing three. McEntee’s season ended due to a hamstring injury suffered during the recent victory over Motherwell, while Magnusson’s late exit came after a thigh issue. McInnes described the news about McEntee as a significant setback, saying the team now has to process the losses. ## Defender shows recovery signs Defender Harry Milne, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, is making steady progress according to McInnes. The full-back, aged 29, still has an outside chance of returning for Sunday’s Edinburgh derby against Hibernian at Easter Road. McInnes stated that Milne’s fitness status remains uncertain ahead of the weekend clash but could be ready for the subsequent fixture against Rangers. He expressed satisfaction with Milne’s recovery trajectory so far. ## Title race intensifies Despite the injuries to key players, Hearts head into the final five matches of the Scottish Premiership season in a favorable position. They currently lead the table by one point ahead of Rangers, with Celtic a further two points behind. McInnes emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming fixtures, noting that each match will present a fresh challenge, beginning with the derby. He acknowledged the players’ contributions in securing a 70-point target before the season split. ## McInnes reflects on challenges McInnes highlighted the demanding nature of the remaining schedule, particularly with the Edinburgh derby as the first obstacle. He praised the squad’s efforts in achieving their current standing, calling the 70-point milestone impressive for the split phase. The manager stressed the importance of enjoying the run-in while emphasizing that every game will be fiercely contested. He also underlined the competitive spirit and excitement still ahead for the team.