Stephen Kingsley could be available to play for Hearts in Monday’s Edinburgh derby.
The defender was one of three players forced off against Dundee United on Christmas Eve after suffering a concussion. Protocols ruled him out of the midweek win at St Johnstone, but the Jambos are hopeful he comes through the remaining tests and is cleared to face Hibs at Tynecastle on Monday.
Robbie Neilson is also hoping that striker Stephen Humphrys will return for the capital clash. The on-loan Wigan striker limped out of Hearts’ 4-3 defeat to Celtic back in October and his recovery has been a slow process. However, he’s now back training and in contention for a place in the squad against the Hibees. Craig Halkett remains a doubt after seeing his afternoon cut short two minutes into the Tannadice clash. He appeared to injure his knee after getting his studs caught in the turf and is awaiting the results of a scan.
Asked if Kingsley would make it, Neilson said: “Potentially. He's got his concussion protocol so we will see how that goes. Halkett was getting scanned on Wednesday so we will see the result of that. We should have Stephen Humphrys available as he is training with us.”
Hearts moved three points clear in third place with a 3-2 win away to St Johnstone on Wednesday night. At the same time, Hibs were going down 4-0 to champions Celtic, just days after beating Livingston by the same score.
Lee Johnson may have eased the pressure on himself with that victory over the Lions, but the manner of the defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side only increased it again. A derby defeat in Gorgie would ramp it up even further, but opposite number and former Tynecastle teammate Neilson is disregarding the midweek matches when it comes to 90 minutes on Monday,
“When you go into a derby it doesn't matter what the score was in the game before,” He said. “It's all about who turns up on the day. I'm sure it will be 200 miles an hour. We have to bring our best game.”
READ NEXT
