Hearts' title challenge was dealt a blow with the news that Australian midfielder Cammy Devlin will miss the next six to eight weeks with injury.
Here's how you Hearts fans reacted:
Andy: Losing Devlin is a big loss. However, if other midfielders have been banging on McInnes’ door for game time they’ll now have the opportunity to prove their worth. It’s shape up or ship out for these guys. This is a club going places and if they want to be part of it they need to do their talking on the pitch.
David: Devlin will be a big miss but one man does not make a team, a lot of people are wanting Hearts to falter and they might think this is the excuse for them now. It is up to Hearts to keep fighting and it now gives someone else to make a name for themselves.
Paul: Huge blow for Hearts. He has been the anchor man in midfield and his energy and work rate will be sorely missed in the engine room.
Chris: Never ending. Constant injuries. I know other teams have had a few injury concerns but we seem to have had to deal with the brunt of it. No two ways about it, the best player in the league is out for the most important part of the season. Absolutely gutted.
Steve: The sort of injury that can implode our season – Devlin is just that good. We have only one player who could play his role and he’s suspended – Beni Baningime – and Oisin McEntee is injured.
Alan: Absolute tragedy. Without doubt overall the best player bar none in Scotland this season. Plays on intuition, turns upon unexpected areas when required, and has an incredible understanding of the game. Without doubt player of the match every time he plays.
Evan: There is enough depth in the squad, just barely, after signing Islam Chesnokov but a new midfield signing is a must in case of further injuries. We need to sign either David Watson, Elijah Just, Callum Slattery, or Elliot Watt immediately.
Peter: Devlin has really stepped up a level this season and made himself one of the ‘must have’ players in the team sheet. Significant blow to the league title and Scottish Cup hopes for sure. Hearts will need to adapt their play to take account of not having Devlin, but I have confidence that Derek McInnes will find a way to overcome this setback. Just unfortunate that we face Celtic next in the league game.
Gary: For holding midfielders it’s got to be Tomas Magnusson and Baningime for the Falkirk game and then McEntee (if fit) or Blair Spittal and Magnusson for the Celtic game.
Ian: I think it would be extremely difficult to get another Devlin in the transfer window. There are very few with that type of tenacity. I think they have to change the style of the midfield if they could get ague fit that would maybe be a solution
