Medical Today: Player agrees Hearts loan ahead of Celtic clash - Sources

Marc Leonard will undergo a Hearts medical on Friday after agreeing the terms of a loan move from Birmingham City, sources have told Football Insider.

The deal for the 24-year-old is believed to be a straight loan with no option included.

The Scottish Premiership leaders have moved for Leonard to bolster their midfield options after losing Cammy Devlin to injury.

Hearts also lost Lawrence Shankland to injury earlier this week, but moved quickly to secure a replacement, and they have now repeated that trick with Leonard.

Marc Leonard to be available for Celtic clash

Celtic and Hearts are vying for the title as we head into the second half of the Premiership season, and Sunday’s game could have a crucial say in deciding where the title goes at the end of the season.

Both the Bhoys and Rangers are hot on the heels of Derek McInnes’ side at the top of the table, with Martin O’Neill’s men potentially able to cut the gap to just three points with victory at Tynecastle.

However, the leaders have moved quickly to address a major absence in their squad, with Leonard now on the verge of joining the group.

Devlin has been a key part of Hearts’ impressive first half of the campaign, as he has started in every single game and been a virtual ever-present in the league.

It is a big blow to lose him to injury, but the fact that a replacement is already within touching distance will have softened that somewhat.

How many games will Lawrence Shankland miss for Hearts?

Hearts are set to be without Shankland for at least two months, which could potentially have a decisive say on the title race.

The division’s top scorer is facing a prolonged period on the sidelines, which includes meetings with both of the Old Firm sides.

The striker could potentially miss as many as eight league games for McInnes’ side, a run which also includes an Edinburgh derby against Hibernian, and potentially awkward tests against Dundee United and Aberdeen.

Shankland has been a key part of their success throughout the 2025-26 campaign, and they must now find a suitable way of coping without their star man.

Celtic and Rangers will both hope that Hearts’ unfortunate luck with injuries continues during the run-in, as it could ultimately give them the upper hand in the title race.

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