Hearts agree Mattu deal after Shankland injury blow

Hearts face up to two months without captain Lawrence Shankland as the Scotland striker recovers from a hamstring strain, while the Scottish Premiership leaders have agreed a deal to fast-track the signing of Rogers Mattoo.

The 22-year-old Uganda international agreed to join on a free contract in the summer, but the fee has now been settled with FK Vardar in North Macedonia.

Given pending work permit and visa issues, Mattoo is unlikely to join in time for Sunday’s home game against champions Celtic.

Shankland, 30, scored his 15th goal of the season in Saturday’s Scottish Cup loss to Falkirk before being sent off in extra time.

A brief statement on social media revealed that Shankland “will miss the next six to eight weeks.”

Hearts recently lost influential midfielder Cammy Devlin for a similar period of time due to a leg injury, while Oisin McEntee, Stephen Kingsley and record signing Eduardo Aggio are out for the Edinburgh side and Beni Banningame has been suspended for the weekend’s big game.

Shankland, in his fourth season at Tynecastle, will miss the upcoming derby match at home to Hibernian on February 10, which is followed by a trip to face Rangers at Ibrox.

Hearts are six points ahead of Celtic and Rangers with 16 league matches remaining.

With 11 goals, Shankland is the Premier League’s top scorer, while teammate Claudio Braga has scored nine goals.

Midfielders Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay are second with four goals each.

Pierre Landry Kabore and Elton Kabango came off the bench for Hearts on Saturday, with teenager James Wilson another option up front.