Lawrence Shankland Injury: What Games Hearts Striker Will Miss, Plus Celtic and Rangers Updates

Hearts have been dealt a significant blow in the Scottish Premiership title race, with captain and top scorer Lawrence Shankland sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury.[1][2]

The striker, who has netted 11 goals in the league—more than anyone else—and 15 across all competitions, picked up the strain during Hearts' Scottish Cup defeat to Falkirk on Saturday.[1] He was substituted just before extra time, and scans confirmed the injury's severity on Tuesday.[1][3] This comes at a critical juncture, as Hearts hold a six-point lead over both Celtic and Rangers at the top of the table.[1]

Shankland's absence compounds Hearts' woes: midfielder Cammy Devlin is also out for a similar period with a hamstring issue, and Beni Baningime is suspended for Sunday's pivotal home clash against Celtic, live on Sky Sports.[1]

Games Shankland Could Miss

• Celtic (H) - Sunday, kick-off 3pm, live on Sky Sports[1]
• Dundee Utd (A) - January 31[1]
• Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle - February 10[1]
• Trip to Rangers - February 15[1]

Up to nine games could be affected in total.[1]

Celtic and Rangers Updates

Hearts host second-place Celtic this weekend in a match that could reshape the title race, with Celtic trailing by six points.[1][3] Rangers, also six points adrift, face Hearts away on February 15—a potential blockbuster if the lead holds.[1] Both challengers will eye Shankland's absence as a golden opportunity to close the gap on the leaders.[1]

Hearts manager Derek McInnes faces a testing run, but the squad's depth will be crucial amid these mounting injury and suspension concerns.[1][2]

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