Hearts' Title Bid Rocked by Lawrence Shankland Injury

Skipper will miss a crucial spell starting with Sunday's top of the table showdown with Celtic in Gorgie. Hearts have been dealt a major blow with Lawrence Shankland ruled out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring strain. The skipper hobbled off in extra time of Saturday night's Scottish Cup defeat to Falkirk and is now set to miss a huge period for the league leaders starting with Sunday's top of the table showdown against Celtic. It's the second injury bodyblow to hit Derek McInnes' squad in the space of a week after Cammy Devlin was also ruled out for upt o eight weeks with a leg injury sustained in last week's win over St Mirren at Tynecastle. Shankland has been in top form for the Jambos this season - hitting 15 goals across all competitions - including the opener in October's win over the Hoops in Gorgie. But he is now set to sit out Hearts' clash with Celtic and could miss up to nine games including the next Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle on February 10 and the trip to face Rangers at Ibrox five days later. Speaking on Saturday night, McInnes, who will also be wthout suspended Beni Baningime against the champions on Sunday, admitted the latest set back could force the club back into the transfer market this week. "We've got too many injuries going through the club at the minute. We've got an opportunity to maybe react in the transfer market this week. "Losing wee Cammy Devlin was a blow, Baningime suspended [against Celtic]. It goes without saying that we're a bit short in that area as well. It will be a challenge but we'll be ready for them."