Ian Black suspended for Hearts cup clash

HEARTS midfielder Ian Black is suspended for Tuesday’s William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round replay with St Johnstone after being booked in both previous rounds of the tournament.

Defender Andy Webster is also facing an imminent one-match ban which will rule him out of Hearts’ SPL match with Dundee United at Tynecastle on Saturday, February 25.

Black was cautioned against Auchinleck Talbot in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup and incurred a further booking in the original tie with St Johnstone earlier this month. Two bookings in the cup mean an automatic one-game ban, which he will serve on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old was due to return to the starting line-up for today’s SPL visit to Kilmarnock but must then drop out for the midweek cup tie.

Webster was issued his sixth yellow card of the campaign during Wednesday’s night’s cruel defeat to Celtic and therefore incurs a suspension, which will be served in two weeks time when his former club United visit Edinburgh. Meanwhile, former Hearts midfielder Lee Johnson is close to completing a move to Kilmarnock, who were attempting to finalise paperwork in time for him to face his old club in today’s SPL meeting at Rugby Park.

The 30-year-old made five appearances for Hearts during season 2005/06 and has recently been released by Bristol City.

“Lee fits into the category that meets the requirements of our team,” said the Kilmarnock manager, Kenny Shiels.

“He’s a player who receives the ball well and passes it well. He’s intelligent, creative, very small and one of those that gets in and around the opponents and fits into our style of play.

“He would furnish our team with good potential for the next couple of seasons because next season I want to try and consolidate in the top six of the SPL.”