Halkett hopes to ply trade in Premiership
Former Rangers defender Craig Halkett admits he is determined to realise his dream of walking out at Ibrox and Celtic Park – whether he is with Livingston or not.
The 23-year-old is out of contract with the West Lothian outfit and is mulling over his options after captaining the team to Premiership promotion play-off glory.
Halkett has already admitted that the appointment of a successor to manager David Hopkin at Almondvale will have a bearing on his future.
But the centre-half, who was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year award, is adamant he is keen to test himself in the top-flight for the first time.
Halkett grew up with aspirations of calling Rangers’ ground his home after coming through the club’s youth academy, but would now settle for being part of the opposition.
He said: “Going down south could be an option, there have been a few things there, but for me growing up in Scotland and being a Rangers fan, I’ve not played in the top league and that’s something I want to do.
“You want to go to places like Ibrox and Parkhead and test yourself against the best.
“I obviously came through at Rangers, but have not played at Ibrox and that’s something I would look forward to.
“It’s something you want to do as a young player. I’ve also never played at Parkhead either, so that would be good.”
Despite the club’ s promotion, manager Hopkin has turned down a new deal at Livingston and, as Halkett considers his future, he can understand why the former Scotland internationalist has opted for a new challenge.
He added: “It’s not a surprise the gaffer decided to move on, he did a great job and he’s in the same boat as myself really.
“He’s leaving on a high with what he achieved and he probably feel it was the right time to leave and maybe look for something bigger.”