Lawrence Shankland injury: What games Hearts striker will miss, plus Celtic and Rangers updates
Hearts have been hit where it hurts after the confirmation that Lawrence Shankland will miss six to eight weeks of football through injury.
Shankland has been superb for Hearts this season, and will be a massive loss for Derek McInnes‘ squad going forward.
The Scottish Premiership leaders are set to take on Celtic at Tynecastle Park on Sunday, in a game that could prove decisive in the title race.
Martin O’Neill returned to Celtic this month, after Wilfried Nancy‘s nightmare tenure had been brought to a premature end.
Celtic are struggling to reinforce in the transfer market, but they remain a fierce threat to Hearts‘ hopes of lifting the title, as do Rangers.
What games will Lawrence Shankland miss after injury update
Shankland scored his 15th goal of the season in the Scottish Cup against Falkirk on Saturday, before he was withdrawn in extra time.
The striker looked set to leave Hearts in the summer, before securing his future with a new three-year contract.
| Lawrence Shankland | Scottish Premiership 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 21 |
| Goals | 11 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Chances created | 27 |
| Successful dribbles | 12 |
| Duels won | 69 |
But McInnes will now have to deal without him for up to two months, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
Shankland will first miss Sunday’s key clash against Celtic, before he is absent for trips to Dundee United and St Mirren. Hearts will then look to get revenge on Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby, but will they have to do without their captain.
A trip to take on another title challenger in Rangers will come next in February, before games against Falkirk, Aberdeen, and Kilmarnock.
Hearts will hope to have Shankland back by the time Dundee FC visit in March.
Celtic and Rangers to be enthused by Shankland news
Hearts are already dealing with several injury issues, and the news about Shankland will only intensify the pressure on McInnes’ team.
The forward has scored 11 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, and is so often the man turned to when the Jam Tarts need a goal.
With the 30-year-old now missing, Rangers and Celtic will be confident that they can close the gap in the coming weeks.
Both teams are in better form since making managerial changes, and both teams will face key clashes against Hearts over the next month.
The Scottish Premiership leaders will now face the most brutal test of their title credentials yet.