Neilson boosted as Haring nears return
ROBBIE NEILSON has revealed that Peter Haring’s injury hell may be coming to an end.
The new Hearts head coach expects the Austrian enforcer to resume light training when the Jambos report for preseason in August.
Haring, 27, is carrying out rehabilitation in his homeland after undergoing minor surgery aimed at resolving his persistent groin complaint.
The former Rapid Vienna and SV Ried man has not featured for Hearts since their Scottish Cup final defeat against Celtic last May.
He lasted 81 minutes of the 2-1 defeat but, having played through the pain barrier throughout, aggravated the long-standing issue.
The length of Haring’s absence has sparked fears regarding whether he would play for the club again – but Neilson has a positive outlook.
He said: I’ve been speaking to Peter two or three times a week. He had a minor tidyup operation and is doing his rehab over in Austria right now, just very basic exercises.
“His hope is that he will be with us on the first day of preseason – not doing full training but part of training with a view to being ready for the first game of the season.”
By the time the Championship kicks off on October 17 it will have been 17 months since Haring last kicked a ball competitively.
But, Neilson continued: “I know it’s been a long time since he played but he seems quite positive about it.
“He has had a few operations so we are hoping this is the final one that gets him back playing again.
“It would be massive if that happens.”
Neilson has also been buoyed by the progress of Scotland internationalist John Souttar, who has resumed running.
Souttar suffered a ruptured Achilles in February and was ruled out for around six months.
Neilson said: “John is out running at the moment. We expect him to be ready to train in August, again not full training but getting involved in part of it.
“Then, hopefully, he will be 100 per cent ready for the new season.”
Meanwhile, Hearts failed with an audacious bid to snatch Kevin Nisbet and Drey Wright from city rivals Hibs on an astonishing evening of drama in Edinburgh.
Nisbet, 23, penned a fouryear deal with the Hibees after a £250,000 deal was struck with Dunfermline.
However, it is understood Neilson made an eleventh-hour attempt to snap up the striker – while he was in the middle of talks at the Hibernian Training Centre on Thursday night.
Neilson is a huge admirer of Nisbet, who notched 23 goals for the Pars last season, and saw two bids to sign him for Dundee United kicked out during the January transfer window.
It is understood Hearts matched Hibs’ offer to Dunfermline and tabled a substantially more generous salary than Hibs but, having verbally committed to CEO Leeann Dempster, sporting director Graeme Mathie and head coach Jack Ross, Nisbet kept his word.
He was also keen to be plying his trade in the topflight next term following a fine season in the Championship.
The Jambos also made a sensational swoop for former St Johnstone winger Wright.
Hearts are keen to bolster their options on the flank, with youngsters Lewis Moore and Euan Henderson their only recognised wingers ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign.
The Gorgie side have also made a play to bring ex-player Sam Nicholson back to Gorgie.