Exclusive:Gerald Taylor set for a spell out as Hearts confirm the nature of the Costa Rican's injury

Hearts defender Gerald Taylor is facing the prospect of his season being cut short after suffering a knee injury on international duty. He is likely to miss several weeks of action and is now in a race against time to play again before the campaign ends.

The 23-year-old was forced off after 28 minutes of Costa Rica's CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Belize on Tuesday night. Reports in Central America stated he suffered a knee sprain and further tests will reveal more information. Taylor looked extremely upset at the time and was consoled by team-mates when he reached the technical area. Hearts are awaiting his arrival back in Edinburgh later today.

Taylor is on loan at Tynecastle Park from the Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa, an agreement which carries the option of a permanent transfer this summer. The player spent four months out with a knee injury between September and January and the latest setback creates further uncertainty over his long-term future in Scotland.

Neil Critchley, the Hearts head coach, explained the situation as it stands to the Edinburgh News. “Gerald picked up an injury and had to come off in Costa Rica’s second game, so we are not sure of the extent of that injury yet,” said Critchley. “He is travelling back later today so we will just have to assess him when he returns. We are trying to get as much information as we can from the Costa Rica doctor. It is a knee injury, we just don’t know the full extent of it.

“Everyone else has come back from international duty with no issues so they will be fine and ready to go. We play Celtic away this Saturday so it’s a tough game. We will need as many experienced players as possible.”

Hearts right-back issue as Scotland Under-21s lose 6-1 to Iceland in Spain

Taylor has made 13 appearances for Hearts so far this season without establishing himself as the club’s first-choice right-back. His latest injury leaves teenager Adam Forrester as the only natural right-back in the Riccarton first-team squad. Critchley admitted he does not have many options in that position. “No, we don’t. Sometimes you have to think outside the box and someone might have to deputise at some point,” he said.

Forrester was one of many Hearts players on international duty last week. He received his first ever Scotland call-up and joined Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 squad for friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Iceland. Those games took place at the Pinatar Arena in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain.

The 19-year-old played 90 minutes in the first match as Scotland Under-21s beat Ireland 2-0 last Friday. He was an unused substitute on Tuesday as Iceland recorded a 6-1 victory over the young Scots. This season has been Forrester’s breakthrough year at club level as he earned promotion from Hearts B team to the senior side. He has managed 25 appearances in all competitions so far.

He is now certain to play from the start in Glasgow this weekend as Hearts travel to Celtic Park seeking points to help them qualify for Europe.

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