Liam Boyce season feared 'OVER' as Hearts star man braced for long layoff

Hearts standout Liam Boyce reportedly fears he suffered a season-ending injury during Hearts' 3-2 win over St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland international was stretchered off during the first half and there is genuine concern he suffered a cruciate ligament injury after a scan on his knee. Boyce was left writhing in agony and now the Jambos favourite could be sidelined for nine months, reports the Scottish Sun.

Robbie Neilson doesn't have his problems to seek with Kye Rowles facing significant period on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury during the topsy-turvy win over the Saints. And the Hearts boss has also been without Nathaniel Atkinson and Craig Halkett for recent games. Neilson admitted before the game against St Johnstone that he was looking for a "couple more" before the window closed. But the search for new recruits will be heightened before Thursday's deadline if Boyce is out for the season.

Meanwhile, Orestis Kiomourtzoglou insists he is ready to prove himself with Hearts after being lured to Tynecastle by the prospect of European football.

The former Germany Under-21 midfielder has penned a three-year deal with the Jambos after they agreed a six-figure fee, believed to be in the region of £300,000, with Dutch side Heracles. Kiomourtzoglou joined that team in 2019 and made 75 Eredivisie appearances in three seasons before the club was relegated to the Eerste Divisie via the play-offs last term.

The 24-year-old is now expected to add steel to the Hearts engine room and has vowed to make himself a nuisance for opponents at home and abroad. ‘Kio’ said: “I’m very happy to be here, I’ve had a very nice welcome already and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead. For sure, I’ll be 100 per cent