BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
HEARTS star Faycal Rherras will be available for the Jambos’ pivotal Premiership fixtures against Celtic and Rangers after he was left out of Morocco’s provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations.
Rherras, 23, has burst onto the international scene this year, winning two full caps for Herve Renard’s side and starting their most recent fixture – a 2-1 friendly win over Togo.
However, the Hearts left-back has not been named in Renard’s 26-man group that will gather for a training camp in the United Arab Emirates ahead of next month’s showpiece in Gabon.
The tournament takes place between January 14 and February 5, meaning Rherras’ loss is Hearts’ gain – with the player now available for a crucial period for Ian Cathro’s men.
Hearts face a Scottish Cup clash against Raith Rovers on January 22, before Premiership outings against Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell.
The capital club could, however, still be without Arnaud Djoum for those encounters.
The Belgian-born playmaker has been named in Cameroon’s initial 35-man squad for the tournament and it remains to be seen whether he makes manager Hugo Broos’ final cut of 23.
