Hibs and Scotland defender ruled out - Grant Hanley injury update as hamstring scan reveals damage done
Reshaped back three will face Hearts in Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle
Grant Hanley has sustained a hamstring injury, according to scans received by Hibs. And the Scotland World Cup hero faces up to a month on the treatment table, ruling him out of a string of vital fixtures for his club.
Hanley limped out of action with 20 minutes of Sunday’s 0-0 home draw with Rangers remaining. He missed last night’s dramatic 3-2 win over Dundee United at Easter Road, as Deadline Day signing Munashe Garananga stepped into the back three after just a single training session.
And Hibs boss David Gray confirmed that he’ll be without the vastly experienced 34-year-old for next Tuesday’s third Edinburgh derby of the season at Tynecastle, for starters. With more time needed to recover.
Gray, relieved that the former Newcastle United star isn’t facing months on the sidelines, revealed: “Yeah, it is a hamstring injury, not too significant, probably looking at two or three weeks I think, maybe up to a month potentially. Obviously nothing that you would push and risk at this stage, but there is a wee injury there.
“He's actually feeling really positive about it, he thinks it'll be quicker, which is a good thing that he's thinking that way. But obviously we'll go off the advice of the specialists and go from there.”
Ex-Newcastle United star played key role in World Cup qualification
Hanley, a key member of Steve Clarke’s national team squad as Scotland secured World Cup qualification for the first time since their appearance at France 98, has added experience and depth to the heart of the Hibs back three since signing as a free agent in the summer. His absence has, however, created an opportunity for Rocky Bushiri to reclaim his favourite role in the heart of the defensive line.
Warren O’Hora being out injured, meanwhile, forced Gray to drop Zimbabwean international Garananga straight into the starting XI off the back of just a single training session. German wingback Felix Passlack, another Deadline Day signing who had trained with his new team-mates just once, also started against United.
Mulligan and McGrath also on casualty list
With Josh Mulligan, Jamie McGrath and Chris Cadden still out, Hibs will be understrength when they head to Tynecastle to face Hearts next week. But, having bounced back from embarrassing back-to-back defeats against Dunfermline and Falkirk with a point at home to Rangers and last night’s dramatic comeback win, they’re finding a way to cope.
Gray – who did welcome Josh Campbell back from injury with a 15-minute cameo last night - takes heart from the knowledge that, once everyone is fit, he’ll have a squad boasting remarkable strength in depth.
“Looking at some of the key players that are out just now, Grant Hanley, Warren O’Hora, Chris Cadden, Josh Mulligan, there are a lot of players out,” he said, adding: “I've probably missed a couple because there's that many.
“Jordan Obita picked up a knock against Dundee United. Jamie McGrath. So there are a lot of good players to come back into the squad as well - and if we can get that squad as healthy as we can, as quickly as we can, I'm sure we can finish the season strong.”