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Shankland is the Scottish Premiership's leading goalscorer this season Hearts are facing up to two months without captain Lawrence Shankland as the Scotland striker recovers from a hamstring strain, while the Scottish Premiership leaders have agreed a deal to speed up the signature of Rogers Mato. The Uganda international, 22, had agreed to join under freedom of contract in the summer, but now a fee has been settled with FK Vardar in North Macedonia. With work permit and visa issues pending, Mato is unlikely to join in time for Sunday's home game against champions Celtic. Shankland, 30, scored his 15th goal of the season in Saturday's Scottish Cup loss to Falkirk before going off in extra-time. A brief statement via social media revealed Shankland "will miss the next six to eight weeks". Hearts recently lost influential midfielder Cammy Devlin for a similar time scale due to a leg injury, while Oisin Mc Entee, Stephen Kingsley and record signing Eduardo Ageu are also sidelined for the Edinburgh side and Beni Baningime is suspended for the weekend's big game. Shankland, in his fourth season at Tynecastle, will be absent for the next derby at home to Hibernian on 10 February, which is followed by a trip to face Rangers at Ibrox. Hearts are six points in front of Celtic and Rangers with 16 league matches remaining. With 11 goals, Shankland is the Premiership's top scorer, while team-mate Claudio Braga has nine. Central defenders Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay are the next best with four goals each. Pierre Landry Kabore and Elton Kabangu came off the bench for Hearts on Saturday, with teenager James Wilson another option in attack. Visit our Hearts page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Get Hearts news notifications in the BBC Sport app Fulham in talks to sign Man City winger Bobb Champions League: Rosenior on Enzo links and Salah back in Liverpool training How popularity overwhelmed Eala - and the Australian Open Toby Jones presents must-see Dad's Army moments A faceless hacker threatens to expose Finland's deepest secrets Father Brown has new mysteries to solve in the Cotswolds Digest some health claims made for fermented food 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How Mc Tominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs The day I discovered the Everton contract Revie never signed Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Is a Panenka ever the right choice for a penalty? Who will win title race between Hearts, Celtic & Rangers? Stunning late goal earns Brighton draw against Bournemouth. Video Stunning late goal earns Brighton draw against Bournemouth Man Utd's complicated relationship with Class of 92 Results, fans, fall-outs - factors that lead to managerial pressure 'Shameful' and 'terrible look' - the chaos that marred Senegal's Afcon triumph 'Arsenal will never forgive themselves if they don't win title now' Rams hold off Bears fightback in overtime classic. Video Rams hold off Bears fightback in overtime classic 'Abandoned' or 'business' - was Glasner right to 'attack' Palace owners? Bath v Saracens and Leicester at Bordeaux - Champions Cup last 16 How riverside walk & a nap set up Raducanu for dominant Melbourne win GB's Fear and Gibson can win Olympic medal - but only if they are flawless Avoiding FPL & watching sunrise - how tennis players cope with jetlag Boots from Easter Bunny and teenage parties - Glasner tells his story 'No panic buy' - Guehi would cap £414m rebuild as Man City up title ante Bayern's record-breaking Bundesliga season in numbers Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.