{"id":43431,"date":"2026-02-18T13:43:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T18:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/hearts-give-aberdeen-double-injured-reinforcements-celtic-and-rangers-sweat\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T13:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T18:43:12","slug":"hearts-give-aberdeen-double-injured-reinforcements-celtic-and-rangers-sweat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/hearts-give-aberdeen-double-injured-reinforcements-celtic-and-rangers-sweat\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearts give Aberdeen double injured reinforcements, Celtic and Rangers sweat"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/hearts-give-aberdeen-double-injured-reinforcements-celtic-and-rangers-sweat\/#STV_pundits_slam_Rangers_vs_Hearts_incident_referees_blunder_haunts_Jambos\" >STV pundits slam Rangers vs. Hearts incident, referee&#8217;s blunder haunts Jambos<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/hearts-give-aberdeen-double-injured-reinforcements-celtic-and-rangers-sweat\/#Hearts_give_double_injury_reinforcements_as_Devlin_and_McEntee_look_set_to_return_to_Aberdeen\" >Hearts give double injury reinforcements as Devlin and McEntee look set to return to Aberdeen<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/18\/hearts-give-aberdeen-double-injured-reinforcements-celtic-and-rangers-sweat\/#ONeill_says_Celtic_players_cannot_be_trusted_in_title_battle_with_Hearts_and_Rangers\" >O&#8217;Neill says Celtic players cannot be trusted in title battle with Hearts and Rangers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Hearts have been given two injury benefits ahead of their Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen in 10 days, with Derek McInnes&#8217; side looking to beat Celtic and Rangers to claim their first Jambos title since 1960.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>Edinburgh&#8217;s side will be keeping a close eye on developments going into this weekend&#8217;s game against Falkirk, but the news from Riccarton this week couldn&#8217;t have come at a better time.<\/p>\n<p>    Although McInnes&#8217; side remain top of the table, the past month has been a testing one off the pitch, with a string of serious injuries leaving Tynecastle&#8217;s side stretched thin.<\/p>\n<p>The title race is still on and with Celtic and Rangers both within reach, every point and every player counts.<\/p>\n<p>McInnes has been forced to shuffle his deck a number of times in recent weeks without a key man in the engine room and with no obvious equivalent waiting in the wings.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"stv-pundit-rangers-hearts-incident-referee-andreas-skov-olsen\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hearts-rangers-scottish-premiership.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/hearts-rangers-scottish-premiership.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"STV_pundits_slam_Rangers_vs_Hearts_incident_referees_blunder_haunts_Jambos\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tSTV pundits slam Rangers vs. Hearts incident, referee&#8217;s blunder haunts Jambos<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">The gap at the top has narrowed.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The head coach has publicly acknowledged that the team is lacking in certain areas, putting considerable pressure on the remaining squad. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>Both key players are now inching closer to a return, with the home game against Aberdeen on February 28 emerging as a real target for both.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hearts-gifted-double-injury-boost-as-devlin-and-mcentee-eye-aberdeen-return\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hearts_give_double_injury_reinforcements_as_Devlin_and_McEntee_look_set_to_return_to_Aberdeen\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Hearts give double injury reinforcements as Devlin and McEntee look set to return to Aberdeen<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the two, Cammy Devlin, has been out since mid-January after sustaining an ankle injury in a collision in the win over St Mirren.<\/p>\n<p>    It was a cruel blow for a player who had been an outstanding performer not just for Hearts, but perhaps for the entire division.<\/p>\n<p>His absence was felt very keenly. McInnes himself has spoken at length about the void left, and it was evident in certain performances in the intervening weeks.<\/p>\n<p>The player is said to be working hard to prepare for Aberdeen, but medical staff at Riccarton are taking a cautious approach.<\/p>\n<p>The second man in question suffered a nerve-related shoulder problem just 12 minutes into last weekend&#8217;s 4-2 loss to Rangers, and initial concerns suggested the worst.<\/p>\n<p>Those concerns were then allayed when McInnes confirmed at a press conference outside Falkirk that Oisin McEntee could return alongside Devlin for the game against Aberdeen.<\/p>\n<p>    Australian powerhouse Devlin, who has been a mainstay in this team all season, and Irishman McEntee, who provides vital cover for McInnes and quality across the midfield and backline, could both be welcome returns for another important draw.<\/p>\n<p>This was all confirmed by manager MacInnes, and both Rangers and Celtic became concerned as the Jam Tarts gradually gained a full-strength squad again.<\/p>\n<p>It would be a huge improvement if both could be brought back in time for the Aberdeen game.<\/p>\n<p>Hearts are still two points clear of the summit, but with difficult fixtures ahead and Celtic having a game in hand, they are only now beginning to rebuild the depth they need to stay in this title race.<\/p>\n<p>If Devlin and McEntee can both return healthy and crisp games, McInnes will have even more work to do during what is expected to be a decisive match.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, the Aberdeen game suddenly became a lot more interesting.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"martin-oneill-celtic-reo-hatate-liability-premiership-title-race\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/celtic-interim-manager-martin-o-neill-arrives-before-the-match.JPG?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/celtic-interim-manager-martin-o-neill-arrives-before-the-match.JPG?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"364\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill arrives before the match\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/celtic-interim-manager-martin-o-neill-arrives-before-the-match.JPG?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/celtic-interim-manager-martin-o-neill-arrives-before-the-match.JPG?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ONeill_says_Celtic_players_cannot_be_trusted_in_title_battle_with_Hearts_and_Rangers\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tO&#8217;Neill says Celtic players cannot be trusted in title battle with Hearts and Rangers<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">The battle for the title intensifies&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hearts have been given two injury benefits ahead of their Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen in 10 days, with Derek McInnes&#8217; side looking to beat Celtic and Rangers to claim their first Jambos title since 1960. Edinburgh&#8217;s side will be keeping a close eye on developments going into this weekend&#8217;s game against Falkirk, but the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[8845,534,572,40,5231,3325,296,1026,7816,8846],"class_list":{"0":"post-43431","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-aberdeen","9":"tag-celtic","10":"tag-double","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-give","13":"tag-hearts","14":"tag-injured","15":"tag-rangers","16":"tag-reinforcements","17":"tag-sweat"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43431\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}