Vrancken on Milne injury, McInnes return & Hearts character

Vrancken confirms Harry Milne has an ACL injury and is out for the rest of the season: "It was hard for him. I spoke with him, but he has made peace with it."

Christian Borchgrevink is unlikely to be fit before the international break and Stuart Findlay remains out on Wednesday. Blair Spittal is expected back before Christmas but fellow long-term casualty Tom Renaud, who has resumed running, is set to be out until 2027.

Vracken acknowledges he must manage the squad's training load but says making it "too light" would increase the risk of further injuries.

On McInnes' first return to Tynecastle since his summer exit to Rangers, Vrancken insists Hearts must keep focus on their game and not be sidetracked by "emotions".

He adds: "We want to win the game, even with the injuries. We want to put confidence in the players who are on the pitch and in the squad tomorrow. There's always the noise that you have to cancel or avoid, and just focus on what you have to do."

Asked how much of advantage McInnes' knowledge of Hearts will be to Rangers, Vrancken says: "I don't know - ask him!"

He points out Hearts now play a "totally different style" and says: "I think a lot of players who are playing now were last year's subs."

On whether he will look to bolster his injury-hit squad with a free agent signing, Vrancken says: "This is for other people. The games are coming so fast that I have to put my energy in the games and the players who are fit."

The Belgian is proud of the character his players are showing amid injury troubles and a busy schedule: "What I see the players doing is stepping up and taking the responsibility and not finding excuses."

Victory over Rangers - who sit four points ahead of third-place Hearts - would be a "big boost" for the Tynecastle side but "not decisive" so early in the season.

Wednesday night marks the 'Foundation of Hearts day' and Vrancken says the club's fan ownership is "something special", adding: "Hopefully it will be a good result there so that you can celebrate even more."