Gods smiling on Halkett again after a tough year
The f ootball gods were cruel on Hearts defender Craig Halkett this time last year.
Fresh from arriving at Tynecastle from Livingston, the 25- year- old had impressed at centre- back, to the point that he was on the verge of a maiden call- up to the Scotland squad.
However, on the eve of Scots manager Steve Clarke’s announcement, Halkett injured his knee in a 0- 0 draw away to St Mirren on September 28, 2019, sidelining him for ten weeks. It robbed him of the opportunity to make an impact at international level – and also the chance to play for Hearts at Hampden.
By t hat point, t he Jambos had already booked their spot in the Betfred Cup semi- finals against Rangers after defeating Aberdeen on penalties in the previous round. Halkett netted the stoppage- time equaliser against the Dons to keep his team in the competition. His solid, no- nonsense defending was earning him rave reviews. As he sat on the sidelines, Hearts’ form dipped and they were defeated 3- 0 by Rangers on November 3, 2019, with Halkett helpless on the sidelines. A year on, he is set to make his Hampden bow in this evening’s Scottish Cup semi- final against Hibs.
"I missed the semi- final last year through injury, so this would be my first competitive game at Hampden,” said Halkett.
“It was tough to watch the Rangers game, it wasn’t a nice feeling.
“I signed at Hearts to get to semifinals and finals of big competitions and in my first season we got there and I missed out. It was so disappointing.
“Ascotland call was spoken about at the time, but until it happens you never really want to get your hopes up. It’s something you are striving towards. Before I was just giving my best and I will continue to do that and you never know, it may happen.”
One thing Halkett can bank on is a starting place in Robbie Neilson’s XI. He has formed a good defensive partnership with new signing Mihai Popescu and, in the absence of Steven Naismith, has been wearing the captain’s armband. The former Livingston skipper is relishing the opportunity to lead his team out at the national stadium in such a huge match.
“It would be massive to beat Hibs and get us into a Scottish Cup final,” said Halkett. “It is a huge honour to be the captain of one of the biggest clubs in Scotland. Going into an Edinburgh derby it is one everyone wants to win. It means so much to everyone.
“This game would have to be up there as one of the biggest games in my career so far. It is right up there in terms of important matches I have played in.
“Growing up the Scottish Cup is the big one you want to tr y to win. Hearts have won trophies in the past and have reached plenty of finals, so for me to have that chance to do that is huge.”
To take that chance, Halkett and his defensive colleagues will need to keep one of the most in- form strike- forces in the country at bay. Hibs duo Kevin
Nisbet and Christian Doidge have formed a potent partnership, the former sitting second on seven goals in the Premiership scoring charts.
Nisbet’s path to the top of Scottish football mirrors that of Halkett, who stepped down the leagues following his release from Rangers to work his way back into one of the country’s biggest clubs. He is relishing the challenge against the red- hot former Raith and Dunfermline forward.
“We know the Hibs strikers are really good players who have started the season incredibly well,” continued Halkett.
“We are well aware of them but if we look after ourselves and play the way we can then we will have a good chance.
“I know how t ough i t i s t o get knocked down and then come back. Kevin has done the exact same thing.
“He worked his way back up the leagues and earned a good move to a Premiership side and he has kicked on again.
“He has started scoring goals in the top flight and everyone can see how good a player he is and he is someone we are going to have to watch.”
Hearts will be helped in that task, however, by a much more robust defence than last season. Popescu has come in to replace the injured pair of John Souttar and Christophe Berra, while the arrival of Stephen Kingsley means the Gorgie Boys have two pedigree full- backs in him and Michael
Smith. Then there is Craig Gordon, the evergreen 37- year- old goalkeeper of whom everyone at Hearts is in awe.
“It’s the same back five that’s played for the last few games and we are developing good relationships,” said Halkett. “Craig has been massive since he came in. It’s been massive for the club to sign him because he’s a world- class goalkeeper. He’s certainly the best goalkeeper I have played with in my career. Having him behind us gives us four defenders a hell of a lot of confidence.
“I think it all stems from the experience he has and the amount of games he’s played at the level he has played them.
“He’s a great guy off the park as well and you can talk to him about anything, but on the park he is loud and reassuring and as a defender you just know if you do have a lapse of concentration he is there behind you to dig you out of a hole. That gives you added confidence.”