Hearts manager Craig Levein has admitted that Steven Naismith could miss Monday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final with Partick Thistle.

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The on-loan striker only lasted until half-time of last night’s 2-1 defeat by Celtic and Levein isn’t sure whether his star man will be fit for the massive Scottish Cup tie.
“He’s had an operation obviously, a little bit of cartilage shaved off,” Levein said, as quoted by the Edinburgh Evening News.
“It was the same knee and it was irritating him, so I don’t know (if he’ll make Monday).”

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Naismith has been absolutely crucial for Hearts this season and it would be a blow if he was to miss any significant game-time.
There’s a slight blessing for Hearts in that they are playing a struggling Championship side so shouldn’t necessarily need Naismith.
If he does end up missing a number of games it would be a blow to the Jambos’ hopes of securing European football next season.

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Naismith has scored eight times for Hearts so far this season but could leave Tynecastle in the summer.
His loan deal from Norwich ends in the summer – as well as his Norwich contract – but there’s no guarantees of a return.
Hearts have offered a new contract to the 32-year-old but a move to MLS is also a possibility.