Huge blow for Hibs as Jason Naismith ruled out for rest of the season

Loanee was injured during Sunday's draw with Dundee United

Jason Naismith is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season after sustaining knee ligament damage in Hibs’ Scottish Cup clash with Dundee United on Sunday.

Manager Jack Ross was concerned about the right-back’s injury as he came off at half-time at Tannadice after landing awkwardly while going for a header. A scan has confirmed that the injury is a bad one and the on-loan Peterborough United player, who had started each of Hibs’ last 11 games, looks unlikely to play again this term.

Hibs defender Jason Naismith has sustained a knee ligament injury. Picture: SNS

“It’s bad news for Jason as he’d been doing well up there,” said Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry. “He was reunited with a former manager who clearly rates him and there was an expectation they would sign him.

“Our primary concern is Jason’s recovery though. He’s a top man who has never given us a moment’s concern.”

The news comes as a hammer blow to Naismith who told the Evening News in an interview last week about how much he was enjoying life at Easter Road. His loan at Hibs is due to expire at the end of this season. “I’m happy here,” he said a couple of days before his ill-fated trip to Tannadice. “I love it. Every day, I’m proud to represent this club. I love coming into training, I love being a Hibs player.”