Josh Ginnelly admitted it was a "pleasure" to represent Hearts after it was confirmed the on-loan winger would miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old arrived from Preston North End in the summer and dazzled in his early appearances before suffering the first of several injury setbacks.
He recovered to score Hearts’ second equaliser in the Scottish Cup final loss to Celtic, but tests revealed he suffered a ruptured hamstring during the Jambos’ thumping 4-0 win over Raith Rovers on Tuesday evening.
Ginnelly played no part as Jamie Walker’s late goal secured all three points in a 1-0 win over Dunfermline at Tynecastle to move 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Championship.
However, it could be his last ever appearance in maroon despite Robbie Neilson opening talks over a permanent deal when his contract at the Lancashire side expires in the summer.
Posting on Twitter, Ginnelly wrote: “Well and truly gutted to be missing the rest of the season. Was a pleasure to wear this shirt.
“The focus remains the same I’m sure this team will put this club back to where it belongs. Thank you for all the messages.”
It has forced Neilson and new sporting director Joe Savage to act, with the club now actively recruiting a new wide player in the January window.
The Hearts boss told the Edinburgh Evening News : “Josh is going to be out for the rest of the season. He has ruptured his hamstring and he’ll be operated on next week.
“It’s a blow for us and him. He’s been doing really well for us and he’s a great kid as well. It’s our job to get him back fit as soon as we can. Will be get him back by the end of the season? It's going to be a push.
"With Ginnelly out, we need to try and recruit in the wide area. So we’re looking for another winger, plus a central midfielder, and someone to come in and compete with Michael Smith at right-back."
“Jamie Brandon is out with a cruciate so we need a little bit of cover in there.”
