INJURED Gary Oliver is gutted that he will miss tomorrow’s cup tie cracker against Rangers — but says it is a huge relief to know that his season is not over.

Oliver admits he feared the worst after suffering a horror tackle against Queen of the South last weekend, but tests have shown the knee damage from it is not as bad as first thought.

The 21-year-old had left Palmerston Park on crutches last weekend but only expects to be out of action for a month as he bids to recover from a slight tear in his medial ligament.

Oliver told the Tele: “It’s brilliant news, I was delighted.

“I went for the scan during the day on Wednesday and got the results around 10 o’clock.

“It was one of the best phone calls I’ve had in a while.

“I thought I had really badly done my knee because after the tackle I heard a really bad pop and got a fright. The scan obviously showed me that it’s only a wee tear in my medial, which is ideal news.

“I thought I would maybe be missing the season, so I’m delighted. I think it’ll only be a month or so and I’ll be back training.

“It’s not brilliant to be missing a few games, but considering what I originally thought, I’ll take it.”

Ex-Hearts forward Oliver will have to watch from the sidelines as his team-mates take on Rangers in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox and admitted today that he is cursing his luck over the timing of his injury.

He said: “I just wish it had happened a week later so I could play in the game at Ibrox.

“All I can say is that these things happen in football, you need to take it on the chin and I’ll be supporting the boys as best as I can.

“It’s going to be a very difficult game, they’re a good side and we’re on their pitch. But we’re the form team in the Championship and they’re not doing too well just now, so you never know what can happen.

“It’ll be a hard game for both sides I think. We’ll make it hard for them, go there and play our game.

“I think they’ll create a lot of chances but we’ll be on the ball defensively, and when our chances come we’ll need to take them. I’m sure the gaffer and all the coaching staff will be looking at that now, how to make it as uncomfortable for them as possible.”