Harry Milne ruled out for season as Hearts confirm ACL injury

Hearts defender Harry Milne will miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, head coach Wouter Vrancken has confirmed. BBC Sport Scotland reported that the 29-year-old left-back was hurt in training before last Thursday's Conference League defeat away to Trabzonspor, adding to a lengthy list of absentees at Tynecastle.

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Vrancken said the diagnosis confirmed his initial concern, although there had been some hope that the injury would be less serious. The coach described the news as difficult for Milne but said the player had come to terms with it. His update ruled out a return this season rather than setting out a shorter period of recovery.

Milne's absence removes a player who has become an important part of the Hearts side over the past year. He was selected for the PFA Scotland Premiership team of the year last season, and Vrancken appointed him as one of the club's vice-captains in July. The injury therefore interrupts a spell in which he had earned both individual recognition and additional responsibility within the squad.

The defensive problems extend beyond Milne. According to the BBC report, Stuart Findlay and Christian Borchgrevink also face further time out. Vrancken offered differing assessments of two midfielders: he expects Blair Spittal to return before Christmas, but indicated that Tom Renaud may not be back by then. Those assessments leave uncertainty over when the wider injury list will ease.

Despite their depleted resources, Hearts won 2-0 at Motherwell on Sunday. Vrancken said he would have the same squad available for Wednesday's home match against Rangers, with eight first-team players missing. Rangers are second in the table and four points ahead of Hearts, making the fixture an opportunity for the hosts to reduce that gap.

The match also brings Derek McInnes back to Tynecastle as Rangers manager following his departure from Hearts in June. Vrancken urged his players to concentrate on their work on the pitch and maintain belief despite the injuries. His message was to keep outside distractions and emotions from taking attention away from the team's attempt to secure another result.