Hearts' Craig Halkett ruled out for season with cruciate ligament damage

Craig Halkett will not be able to play for the rest of the season after scans showed he had suffered a serious knee injury.

The centre-back was forced off during the Christmas Eve draw with Dundee United, the same game in which Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon broke his leg.

It is the latest in a string of injuries for the 27-year-old who had already missed a lot of the season with a hamstring problem and was about to make his eighth appearance of the season.

• Hearts ease aside Hibs in derby

"We're gutted for Craig, first and foremost", said the manager.

He's been outstanding for the club in recent seasons both on and off the pitch and I'm sure he'll be back stronger than ever.

Halkett missed two months with injuries last season and almost two months with a knee injury in 2019.