Key Points
- Defender Oisin McEntee will miss the rest of the Scottish Premiership season after scan results revealed a severe thigh injury.
- Christian Borchgrevink is a fresh doubt for the Edinburgh derby after pulling up with a hamstring problem during training.
- Left-back Harry Milne could return to the squad to face Hibernian following a long-term absence.
- Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has resumed ball-handling work as part of his ongoing recovery program.
- Midfielder Tomas Magnusson remains sidelined alongside McEntee as Hearts manage squad options.
- Head coach Derek McInnes said he is focusing only on the players currently fit and available.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily) September 3, 2026 – Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes has delivered a complex fitness update ahead of the upcoming Edinburgh derby against Hibernian at Easter Road, confirming a season-ending injury alongside a potential player return.
Which players are ruled out or doubtful for Hearts?
As reported by Ross Pilcher of the Daily Record and confirmed via official club updates, Hearts will be forced to reshape their defensive layout following major fitness setbacks. Head coach Derek McInnes revealed that versatile defender Oisin McEntee has been officially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after scans showed significant damage to his thigh.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Derek McInnes stated that “Unfortunately, Oisin got bad news on the scan and will be out for the season, which is a real blow for us”. He further noted, “We had a few days to deal with that and let that sink in, on top of Tomas Magnusson being out. So, we have to deal with that”.
Compounding the selection problems, defender Christian Borchgrevink has emerged as a late concern after suffering a issue during preparations. As reported by official Hearts media, McInnes stated: “Christian Borchgrevink felt his hamstring a wee bit yesterday. So, we’re just getting that looked at today”.
Who could return to the Hearts line-up against Hibernian?
In more positive news for the Tynecastle side, full-back Harry Milne is closing in on a return to competitive action. Milne, who has been sidelined for six weeks since the fixture against Kilmarnock, could be included in the squad for the trip to Easter Road.
Addressing Milne’s situation, McInnes explained: “Harry Milne is progressing really well. Neither in or out for the weekend. If the weekend comes too soon for him, then hopefully, as I say, he’ll be fit for the next game against Rangers. So we’ll see how he is but delighted with Harry’s progress”.
Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon continues to make strides in his rehabilitation routine. McInnes confirmed: “Craig Gordon is doing a bit of handling. Although he’s not in training yet, he’s doing a bit of handling with the rest of the goalkeepers. So he’s going the right way”.
How is Derek McInnes managing the current squad absences?
Despite missing key individuals, McInnes maintained a pragmatic outlook regarding team selection and squad depth heading into the post-split schedule.
As documented by official Hearts media channels, McInnes stated: “My focus is on the players who are available, as harsh as that sounds. We try and contend with injuries as you go into this part of the season. So, we have to see where we go”.
He added: “We’ve dealt with key players being injured before. Both Oisin and Tomas give us real strength. It gives us real reliability, and they give us that real competitive nature, which your team always wants to have. I’m trying to focus on the ones I have available and as harsh as that is, we need to deal with the games without these boys”.
The squad recently returned from a warm-weather training camp in Spain, which McInnes described as ideal preparation for the end-of-season run-in. He remarked: “It was a nice, calm environment. Obviously, we wanted to try and get away for loads of reasons. But we know what’s ahead of us. It’s a calm before a storm, with all the focus and the spotlight on the season”.
Background of the Edinburgh derby squad developments
The injury complications arrive at a crucial junction in the Scottish Premiership campaign, with Hearts having secured 70 points prior to the league split. This milestone marks the quickest the club has reached the 70-point tally in modern league history. Throughout the season, defensive stability provided by McEntee and Magnusson was pivotal to the club’s consistency across domestic competitions. The upcoming match against Hibernian represents the latest installment in the rival city derby, where physical intensity and squad depth regularly determine the final outcome.
Prediction for Hearts and their supporters
The absence of key defensive personnel like McEntee will test Hearts’ squad depth severely during the final stretch of the Scottish Premiership season. For the supporters and the wider team, the potential reintroduction of Harry Milne offers immediate tactical relief on the left flank, mitigating defensive vulnerabilities. However, if Christian Borchgrevink is also ruled out alongside existing long-term absentees, manager Derek McInnes will be forced to field a makeshift backline. This scenario could heighten defensive pressure during high-intensity fixtures, directly impacting Hearts’ ability to maintain their strong defensive record through the remaining post-split fixtures.
