Hearts’ Jamie Hamill out for season

Just a matter of days before the Tynecastle side’s biggest game of the season, Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden, Hamill twisted his knee during an indoor training session.

Manager Paulo Sergio has already ruled the former Kilmarnock player out for the rest of the current campaign, but Hearts medical staff believe he could be out for even longer if their early fears are confirmed.

The player’s knee was assessed yesterday, immediately after sustaining the injury, and he is expected to learn the extent of the injury today.

A Hearts spokesman told the Evening News: “He was scanned yesterday and should get the results today but it’s not looking good.”

Hamill, 25, has thrived since being moved forward from right-back to right midfield in recent weeks, and would have been a certainty to start against Celtic at the National Stadium. He has scored five goals this season and is the club’s regular penalty taker.

Ironically, the injury came as David Templeton, a potential replacement, for Hamill wide on the right, returned to training after being sidelined by a persistent groin injury. Templeton hasn’t played since the 3-0 defeat at Motherwell on February 18, so would only have initially been considered for bench duty. However, with a shortage of experienced options available, Hamill’s injury could prompt Sergio to fast-track Templeton into the first team.

Meanwhile, Hearts’ tickets for the semi-final went on general sale this morning.