Hearts boost as Sheridan is ruled out

HEARTS received a pre-match boost with the news that St Johnstone forward Cillian Sheridan is out of Saturday’s SPL clash between the clubs.

The Irishman scored both goals last time the sides met as Saints recorded a 2-0 win over Hearts in September, however a hamstring injury has sidelined him for several weeks. Sheridan lasted just eight minutes of last weekend’s victory over Hibs before being replaced by Marcus Haber. The Canadian later scored in the 3-1 win and could now replace Sheridan in the starting line-up at Tynecastle.

“We unfortunately lost Cillian early on Saturday but Marcus came on and showed us what he can do,” said Steve Lomas, the recently-appointed Saints manager. “Cillian’s injury is one of those which could take three weeks, or it could take two, or it could take four. We will be very much guided by the player and then take it from there. It’s pretty certain he won’t be playing this weekend.”

Hearts will be encouraged by Sheridan’s absence as they look to build on last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The striker, on loan from the Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia until January, is St Johnstone’s second-top goalscorer this season behind the Spaniard Francisco Sandaza.

Meanwhile, Hearts will allow children free entry to the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Auchinleck Talbot at Tynecastle next month. The Edinburgh club are attempting to make the occasion a family day, with every paying adult entitled to bring one child for free. Additional kids will be charged £5.

A Hearts spokesperson said: “It promises to be a tremendous occasion, especially for families.”