Hearts stopper Craig Halkett feeling good after injury-ravaged seasons

Craig Halkett is determined to maintain his unlikely return to prominence at Hearts after overcoming the physical and mental toll of three injury-ravaged seasons.

The 30-year-old centre-back’s days at Tynecastle appeared to be numbered after a seemingly relentless run of setbacks restricted him to just 29 starts between the summer of 2022 and the end of last term.

But Halkett has managed to get himself back into prime condition over the summer and has started seven of Hearts’ nine matches this season under Derek McInnes, including each of their four William Hill Premiership fixtures.

The former Livingston defender is likely to be one of the first names on the team-sheet for Saturday’s mouthwatering trip to struggling Rangers.

“It’s been really good, I’ve been really happy with how I’ve been performing,” said Halkett.

“I think you can always get better but just to come in and play the majority of the games this season, my body’s feeling good. I’m feeling fit and feeling healthy and I’m enjoying playing again so it’s been a good start.

“I probably always thought I could get back there (playing regularly for Hearts) but there definitely was a time where it was a struggle.

“Both physically and mentally, I just thought that it would be tough to get back there. But I’ve got myself into a good place now and I’m feeling fit and healthy so I just need to keep going.”

Hearts have a terrible record at Ibrox, where they have not won for 11 years and have not tasted victory in the Premiership since March 2012.

Despite enduring some chastening days at the hands of Gers since he joined the Jambos in 2019, Halkett is adamant that the current team – joint top of the league after four games – are “definitely” capable of changing that record.

“We’re not just going to turn up and play, we’re going to try to pick up three points,” said the defender. “Being at Hearts, you’ve got to go into every fixture no matter where it is, who you’re against, and believe you can pick up three points.

“It helps that we’ve got confidence in the group and we’ve started the season well. We know it’s going to be a tough fixture but we’re going there to try to win.”

Saturday’s match is widely viewed as an opportunity for Hearts to show they are the real deal against a Rangers side who have drawn all four of their league matches under Russell Martin so far.

“If you look at the first four games that we’ve had, the first four fixtures have not been easy,” Halkett pointed out. “It’s been a tough start and we’ve done really well so we’re just looking at this as another tough game, another game where there’s three points up for grabs and we’ve got a good chance to come and do it.

“I don’t think it’s a season-defining game, obviously we’re going to try and win the game but if we fall short and don’t win the game, I don’t think it’s going to derail anything.

“We’d love to go there and pick up three points and keep the momentum going but if we don’t, we’ll just be back at it again on Monday and look forward to the next game.”