Halkett: Pal’s rise is triumph over adversity
Craig Halkett has been to hell and back alongside Declan Gallagher.
But the Hearts skipper admits a bond formed at the heart of Livingston’s defence will last forever.
Halkett congratulated his former team-mate on taking a leading role in ending Scotland’s finals banishment after their win over Serbia.
It ’s a far cry from suffering relegation with the Lions before their rise back into the big time.
And Halkett believes Gallagher is a poster boy for every player trying to chase their dreams.
He said: “Deccy was already at Livi when I signed from Rangers and we ended up playing well over 100 games together.
“Good times and bad, relegation and promotion.
“He had come through the system at Celtic so had a good schooling in the game when he was younger.
“There have been hurdles in his career he’s had to climb, he had his issue off the field but came back, worked hard and is now reaping the rewards.
“If anyone wants to see how you return from adversity and rehabilitate your career then he’s an inspirational figure. No one deserves the credit he’s now receiving more.
“I sent him a text just before the game in Serbia and he appreciated it.
“We then spoke after the game, he kept saying he couldn’t believe it.
“Even after we went our separate ways we have kept in touch and speak every few weeks. Nobody is more happy than I am to see how well he’s been doing.”
It’s been a meteoric rise for Gallagher since making the switch to Motherwell last summer.
Halkett reckons the sky’s the limit for him.
He said: “You see how Deccy’s coped with the step into international football.
“He did a great job on Aleksandar Mitrovic, who’s an established Premier League striker, so he could certainly play at that level. I’m certain of it.
“Since he moved to Well he’s moved to a new level, been given the captain’s armband and has gone from strength to strength.
“He’s yet to play in a losing Scotland side after six games and he’s not only not looked out of place – he’s been a stand-out. He’s proven he can compete at international level.”
Halkett also insists Gallagher possesses all of the character traits that ensured he’d take to international football like a duck to water.
He said: “Deccy’s never been shy – he’s confident and straightforward.
“That’s helped him in the Scotland set-up as he’s a bubbly, confident and well-liked guy.
“I knew when he was first called up that he wouldn’t be one of those players who go into a squad, stay quiet and under the radar.
“He really believes he should be there.
“He is confident in his own abi l ity and his self-belief rubs off on those who are around him.”