Halkett may yet get late call into Scotland Euro squad

Steve Clarke has left the door open for Hearts defender Craig Halkett to earn a late call-up to the Scotland squad.

The national coach has named three central defenders – Norwich’s Grant Hanley, Blackburn’s Charlie Mulgrew and Leeds’ Liam Cooper – for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Belgium and Russia next month, but has left a slot free for a fourth after injuries ruled out Hearts’ John Souttar, Aberdeen’s Scott Mckenna and Kilmarnock’s Stuart Findlay from being part of the group.

Clarke admitted he has been impressed with Halkett’s performances at Tynecastle this term and at Livingston last season. He will monitor the 24-year-old in Hearts’ match against Hamilton Accies this weekend before deciding between him, Aberdeen’s Mikey Devlin and Sheffield Wednesday’s David Bates.

“I have actually left a space because of the three late call-offs – there is space for another one,” said Clarke. “David Bates has gone to Sheffield Wednesday and not played yet. Andy Considine has been keeping Mikey Devlin out of the Aberdeen team. That might change, he might get a chance now Scott [Mckenna] has been ruled out. And Craig Halkett did well last year for Livingston and is in the Hearts team – I watched him on Sunday against Celtic and he did OK. Anyone can score an own goal [Halkett netted one at Celtic Park], I scored a few of them myself! We have other options. I want to take a bit more time and see if some of them get some more game time before deciding whether to bring another one in.”