Former Rangers defender Craig Halkett joins Craig Gordon in making a return to the Hearts squad in this week’s Scottish Premiership clash.
Whilst the focus of the matchday coverage was on Rangers’ 1-0 victory over the Edinburgh club at Tynecastle, the return of the injured duo did not go unnoticed.
Craig Halkett, who came through the Academy at Rangers, has not been seen in a Hearts jersey since Christmas Eve last year when he ruptured his ACL against Dundee United.
Similarly, veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon suffered a double leg-break in the same game with the 40-year-old stopper defying the odds to return in a recent bounce game for the club.
Whilst neither got off the bench against Rangers – with Abdallah Sima scoring the only goal of the game – it’s a step in the right direction for the pair at Tynecastle.
Craig Halkett and Craig Gordon return to Hearts squad
Both were selected for the bench for the clash with Rangers, meaning they were involved in the Hearts matchday for the first time in almost a year.
Craig Halkett, 28, came through the youth ranks at Ibrox but he never played a first-team game before joining Livingston in 2016.
Since then the centre-back’s career had been going from strength-to-strength and Halkett might’ve harboured Scotland ambitions before the deviating cruciate ligament injury.
Similarly, Scotland veteran Craig Gordon will have one eye on the nation’s Euro 2024 squad as he looks to cap a quite impressive comeback despite his age.
Steven Davis inspiration
As Craig Halkett and Craig Gordon return to the Hearts matchday squad, it will perhaps serve as inspiration for Rangers icon Steven Davis.
The Northern Irishman ruptured his cruciate ligament around the same time Craig Gordon suffered the leg break with both players legends of the Scottish game.
Having spent a brief stint in charge of the Gers first-team as manager, Steven Davis is now back focusing on his recovery at Ibrox.
Whilst there is quite clearly still a long way for the 38-year-old to go, seeing Craig Gordon back in Hearts colours will show the Ibrox Hall of Famer it can be done.
It’s obviously very different for outfield players than it is for goalkeepers, but don’t write Davo off just yet.
