Halkett ready to go for Hearts in new season, says Neilson

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson insists Craig Halkett will be fit for the start of the Premiership season after undergoing a successful ankle operation.

The defender was stretchered off late on during April’s Scottish Cup semi-final victory over rivals Hibs after sustaining the problem.

Halkett was able to make a temporary recovery in time for the extra-time defeat to Rangers at Hampden on May 21.

The former Livingston captain then went under the surgeon’s knife but the 27-year-old is back running at the club’s training camp in the south of Spain and is set to be available for the July 30 curtain raiser against Ross County.

Neilson said: “Craig got an op two days after the cup final so he’s back individual training.

“He’s come to Spain and done running but he should be back about two weeks into pre-season.

“Craig should be ready for the start of the season. He’ll get three weeks of pre-season under his belt with the group.

“He got injured in the semi-final and needed an op but the surgeon said we could wait until after the final. So as soon as that was done we got him in and he should be fine.”

Scotland No 1 Craig Gordon linked up with the squad in Spain on Saturday after being given additional time off following a busy international schedule that included the World Cup play-off defeat to Ukraine.

Australia internationals Kye Rowles and Nathaniel Atkinson have also been given extra time to rest after helping the Socceroos reach the World Cup through the play-offs.

Hearts are also still trying to resolve paperwork delays regarding new recruit Rowles, who has signed from Central Coast Mariners.

Neilson, who has also signed Alan Forrest, Lewis Neilson and Alex Cochrane and is planning to add Peterborough’s Jorge Grant, added: “It’s good to be back. The boys have been in a few days now and had their first on-pitch session last Thursday.

“They have all come back in decent nick. They only had a month off so we are looking forward to getting cracked on now.

“We gave all the boys a programme and they’ve all done it. They are back in good condition and we have a lot of games coming up, so everyone will be involved.

“I am pleased with the ones who have come in. Kye Rowles isn’t here yet – we are still waiting on everything to come through.

“We gave him and Nathaniel Atkinson another couple of weeks off after their World Cup exploits.

“Everyone else is here and we are hoping to get a few done in the coming days and weeks.”

Craig Halkett has had surgery on his ankle.