Jamie McCart believes the size and spirit of Hearts’ squad will see them continue to push on despite recent injury setbacks.
Cammy Devlin and skipper Lawrence Shankland were sidelined with injury following recent matches against St Mirren and Falkirk, but McCart praised the duo for carrying on as normal and keeping the dressing room morale high.
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s match with Celtic, the defender said: “A really unfortunate week, but I think that just happens in football.
“That's part of the reason we've probably got a big squad as well; you hope when these things happen that the boys that have been waiting for a chance, can come in and take the opportunity.
“I think we've shown that throughout the season, when stuff hasn't gone our way, it shows the strength of the group. It's been terrible news for the two of them, but the best thing I can say is the two of them have just been the exact same, and I think that's what you need.
“I think for the other boys, the boys that have signed this summer, seeing that, two players that have been here for a while, your captain, to receive that news and still to be creating a good atmosphere in the dressing room is massive for us.
“They're two massive personalities anyway. I think we've got quite a lot of big personalities, which is why we've got such a good dressing room. Shanks is our captain and Cammy is like that without the armband, he's very loud!”
The Scot recently filled in at left-back, following injuries to both Harry Milne and Stephen Kingsley, admitting he’ll play wherever he’s asked and believes the group can take confidence from their current position and previous results against Celtic this season.
“Just eager to get the opportunity. I know I've not played there for a while but left-back is not something that's unknown to me. Anywhere you get asked to play, you would happily do it to play in a team like this.
“I don't think you can underplay the importance of the game [on Sunday]. We're in a strong position now, but we've done that because we went away to Parkhead and got a brilliant result. We played them at Tynecastle and got a brilliant result.
“I think it would be naive to underplay it. But at the same time, we've just got to focus and take it as another game.”
You can watch Jamie’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
