Hogg and Johnston the costly result of Hearts making a point

JAMES TRAYNOR

2 Dec 1993

HEARTS have paid a heavy price for their endeavours which earned a point at Rugby Park the other night, with Maurice Johnston and Graeme Hogg suffering serious injuries as the Tynecastle side strive to overcome an indifferent start to the season.

Johnston and Hogg were taken to hospital after the goal-less draw with Kilmarnock and yesterday's medical reports made depressing reading for one of them as well as the manager, Sandy Clark.

Hogg has a broken leg and, although it is a straightforward fracture, he will not play again for at least eight weeks, while Johnston, who has a badly swollen jaw, is likely to miss Saturday's match against Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

Johnston suffered a broken jaw during his spell with Everton, and initially it was feared he had done the same thing.

But further tests yesterday afternoon removed that anxiety, although the fates do seem to be conspiring against Hearts.

"This is all we need," said Clark.

"Especially Graeme's injury.

It puts us under real pressure at the back with Craig Levein still out."

Levein has ligament trouble and could be back in a fortnight, which won't come quickly enough for the manager, who is not so concerned about Johnston's problem.

Clark sold back-up striker Ian Ferguson to St Johntone for £120,000 on Tuesday, but feels he still has enough cover up front.

"We can cover for Maurice because Justin Fashanu is still very much a part of our plans."

Taken from the Herald