Hearts injury latest from Robbie Neilson as he hands one star 'great' verdict from Celtic defeat

Robbie Neilson has provided a Hearts injury update ahead of Thursday night's huge Europa League showdown with FC Zurich.

The Jambos boss made a number of key changes to his side for the defeat to Celtic at Parkhead with Craig Gordon left out completely while key duo Lawrence Shankland and Barrie McKay took up places on the bench. In total the capital gaffer made seven changes from last week's first leg for the league outing as he looked to keep his squad fresh.

The squad players did themselves no harm with back-up goalkeeper Ross Stewart picking up special praise from his manager. But Scotland No1 and Hearts captain Gordon will be back for the big night under the lights at Tynecastle with Neilson revealing that everyone will be fit and ready for Thursday night with just Craig Halkett, who limped off after just seven minutes in the 2-1 defeat in Switzerland last week, the only one who may miss out.

Speaking to BBC Sportsound, the Hearts boss said: "I was pleased with the players that came in.

"We don't have a big squad but we've got real quality and depth.

"I thought he (Stewart) was great. Craig was out today and it gave him the opportunity to come to a big venue and play and I though he handled himself very well."

On Gordon and the rest of his squad, he added: "Everyone will be ready, the only one potentially that won't make it will be Craig Halkett."

Hearts were reduced to nine men as they lost out 2-0 at Parkhead.

Alex Cochrane and Toby Sibbick were given their marching orders in the final stages of the game with Kyogo Furuhashi and a last-gasp Giorgios Giakoumakis strike sealing the points for Ange Postecoglou's men to make it four wins from four for the champions.