Clerry Jambo Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/big-interview-hearts-peter-haring-positive-about-playing-again-after-mental-torture-and-says-retirement-was-not-his-mind-2919134 Big interview: Hearts' Peter Haring positive about playing again after 'mental torture' and says retirement was not on his mind Austrian talks to the Evening News about returning from injury Tuesday, 21st July 2020, 7:45 am Peter Haring is feeling more positive after more than a year out injured. He last kicked a football in anger on May 25, 2019. It has been an arduous and tortuous 14 months for Peter Haring, but finally he is running without pain near his home in a quiet corner of Austria. The Hearts midfielder underwent his latest hernia surgery six weeks ago and is on course to participate in some pre-season training next month. He would prefer to whisper rather than shout about that, for obvious reasons. Thousands of supporters, a large squad of players, three different managers and dozens of club staff have been patiently waiting since last year’s Scottish Cup final to see Haring pull a maroon shirt over his manbun again. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter No-one has suffered more torment than the player, who admits he pushed himself too far too early in previous comeback attempts. At one point he was just days away from returning to the team under Craig Levein, only for pelvic pain to resurface and suppress the excitement yet again. Levein, Daniel Stendel and now Robbie Neilson have all recognised Haring’s influence when fit, but the elongated absence has taught the 27-year-old to remain cautious. He has endured double hernia surgery, an adductor operation and then more hernia work in the last 18 months in his fight for fitness. Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, he explains why he is more positive after the latest operation in Manchester six weeks ago. “So far I am feeling the benefit of it. I am working with a physio here in Austria who I have known for a long time and I trust him. I see him three or four times a week,” says Haring. "I can already do more challenging exercises in the gym and I started running about a week ago. I am definitely improving and I’m feeling really positive. “It wasn’t the kind of surgery where everything is okay again right away. I still need some time to get myself fit enough to play football again. When I’m running at the moment, I’m pain-free. That is really positive. “Before I had this surgery it didn’t matter if I totally rested or if I exercised. Nothing changed. When we agreed to do the surgery, it was just a no-brainer. I had to try it. So far, I think it was the right decision. I am definitely feeling in a better place.” Not so long ago, he was in a very dark one. Being injured and unable to play or even train is demoralising for any footballer. Haring had the added complexities of being in a foreign country with no idea when he might feel fit again whilst his club slid to the bottom of the league table. It was the perfect storm. He laughs. “You can imagine. Actually, I don’t know if you can, but the last season has been mental torture. The team was not doing well enough and my situation was not really improving.” “At the start of last season when I came back from Austria and was doing my rehab, I thought: ‘That’s me. I’m back.’ I started training with the team, Craig Levein was the gaffer and he wanted to play me again. “In the week before I was due to play, it got worse again. I just didn’t feel well enough to play and that’s what I told the manager. I said: ‘I don’t want to play, I think it’s too early, I’m getting sore again.’ “I just thought I needed more time but the situation started going in the wrong direction again. I did exercises and it got worse, I rested and it improved, then I would start doing things and it got worse again. There was no light at the end of the tunnel for me and I just did not know what to do. “I saw a number of specialists and rehab guys. In January this year, I was in a place where I thought: ‘I can’t do this any longer.’ There was nothing I could do to get better again. That’s when we decided to see a surgeon again.” Going under the knife and talk of retirement “I should have had this operation in April but it was cancelled because of coronavirus, so I had to wait two months. I was in Edinburgh trying to run and work out but there was just no point. I was just getting sore and I had no idea when I would get the operation. “When I finally got it done, I was just really happy. I’m looking forward to being fit again and I think I’m heading in the right direction. I will still need some time to get 100 per cent fit and sharp enough to play, but I’m actually looking forward to just training again.” Talk of enforced retirement was always premature. Haring never thought his career was over. “You have hard days. When you wake up in the morning and you are really sore, you think: ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ I never really thought that was my career done. I was always positive I would be back. “I have definitely learned a lot about myself in the last year. What I did wrong was always trying to get back quicker than I should have. When someone says you need eight weeks, you shouldn’t tell yourself: ‘I want to be back in six.’ That’s what I always did and it didn’t help. “When I went into training every morning, I always had a timescale in my head for when I wanted to be back. Now I am back in Austria and the team is at home, so the situation makes it easier for me. I just see how it feels day to day. I’m not putting any pressure on myself to be back in a certain amount of time. “I’ve spoken to the new gaffer a few times and he said he had some experience with injuries and operations. I think he understands and doesn’t put any pressure on me. He said there is enough time until we play our first game and not to rush myself back too quick.” ‘I just didn’t want to lie to anyone’ The Hearts support have been eager for Haring’s return since last summer, such was the impact he made during his first year in Edinburgh. His aggressive but technical approach gave the midfield a key dynamic as the Austrian influenced others around him. “It means something to me when you’ve been missing for so long and people still ask about you because they want you back playing,” he says. “It was hard to talk to supporters in the last year because I did not know what was happening. If you don’t have an answer for anyone, it’s hard. It made me feel that I did not want to be around all the time because it’s a little bit frustrating. I just didn’t want to lie to anyone. “When I got to the stage where I just had no idea, I just told them. That frustrated me more but the club have supported me through the whole injury and I’m very grateful for that.” He speaks of “light at the end of the tunnel” because, finally, that glimmer is there. Even Hearts’ relegation to the Championship does not quell the positivity. Pre-season training is due to start in two weeks. “I am not thinking too far ahead. I just want to get back playing football,” says Haring. “If it’s in front of supporters, great, but it probably won’t be. It won’t make a huge difference for me because I just want to be out there and play football again. “Obviously I want to play in the Premiership but I can’t change it. I think the whole situation could have been handled better so, if we are in the Championship next season, we have to make sure we get back to the Premiership as quick as possible. That is where Hearts belong. “Just now, it looks like I will definitely be on the pitch for pre-season. I probably won’t be with the team at the start but definitely working on the pitch. I’m hopeful I will be training with the team soon.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leveins Battalion Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 My hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggieb Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻. 🤞🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingantti1874 Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) Hope to god true.. our best player bar none Edited July 21, 2020 by kingantti1874 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Love big Haring. Really hope he gets to just play football again. He's the one we've really missed in the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The American Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Need him back he’s a top player, or as Merse would say a top top top player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Dongcaster Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Unfortunately things rarely work out after an injury like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kila Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Hopefully the latest surgery is this chapter done and dusted and he's back doing what he did before in midfield. We really missed him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Ramsay Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Finally sounds like he's getting somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlimOzturk Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 7 minutes ago, Neil Dongcaster said: Unfortunately things rarely work out after an injury like this. Such a weird injury he has had. I am hoping this is down to wrong diagnosis and treatment rather than any major injury problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Beni of Gorgie Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Long live the hairband Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobNox Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Hopefully he can get over his injury problems and get back to playing on a regular basis. It would be like a new signing for us, a very good signing at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trained One Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 45 minutes ago, AlimOzturk said: Such a weird injury he has had. I am hoping this is down to wrong diagnosis and treatment rather than any major injury problems I was at a meeting with Ann Budge in attendance before the start of last season. Peter's injury was discussed. One expert had said complete rest should be all that's required. The 2nd opinion was that a further medical procedure would be necessary. Hearts took the gamble on the former and as it turns out it was the wrong one. Fingers crossed for the guy. We are a far better team with him playing. Mon the hair band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixHearts Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 I know we love a hairband in here, but strictly speaking he retired the hairband over the 18-19 winter break when his hair finally grew long enough to tie up. It's been the manbun ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAl Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 2 hours ago, Locky said: Love big Haring. Really hope he gets to just play football again. He's the one we've really missed in the team. Could not agree more and that was brought into focus in the cup final. While he was on the field we always had a chance. When he went off, that was it although the lads still tried their best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haringshairband Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 50 minutes ago, PhoenixHearts said: I know we love a hairband in here, but strictly speaking he retired the hairband over the 18-19 winter break when his hair finally grew long enough to tie up. It's been the manbun ever since. Still keeping my username though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, JamboAl said: Could not agree more and that was brought into focus in the cup final. While he was on the field we always had a chance. When he went off, that was it although the lads still tried their best. In the 18-19 season after the injuries piled up, there was a little spell IIRC where we picked up again and got a couple of wins which coincided with Haring returning. Then he got crocked again and we turned to shit. I think the consensus was the we really struggled due to a lack of strikers, which isn't necessarily wrong, but that ultimately the middle of the park is where games are won and lost, and without a Peter Haring, what chance do we have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattie exploited Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 probably take him another 6 months to get fit properly again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamboAl Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 6 minutes ago, Locky said: In the 18-19 season after the injuries piled up, there was a little spell IIRC where we picked up again and got a couple of wins which coincided with Haring returning. Then he got crocked again and we turned to shit. I think the consensus was the we really struggled due to a lack of strikers, which isn't necessarily wrong, but that ultimately the middle of the park is where games are won and lost, and without a Peter Haring, what chance do we have? When you think about it opposing defences would have ro cater for a dangerous PH appearing in the box from MF and that takes a bit of the heat off our strikers, so what you say makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Munro Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Haring will get double figures in the championship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo-Jambo Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Really hope it works this time for him. Getting the feeling he is in the last chance saloon this time. 😏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruyff Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Massive player for us but I hope for him more than anything that he can get back playing again and doesn't get any reaction to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Boy Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 49 minutes ago, Robbo-Jambo said: Really hope it works this time for him. Getting the feeling he is in the last chance salon this time. 😏 FTFY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWJ Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 10 minutes ago, Special Officer Doofy said: FTFY Very good! I hope he gets back to full fitness, for us but also for him. There was a photo of him on here a few months ago and he looked really thin. Not fit & thin just too thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Potter Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 3 hours ago, Gordon Ramsay said: Finally sounds like he's getting somewhere. Hope so, such a commanding steady, skillfull player for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo-Jambo Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Special Officer Doofy said: FTFY 😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tian447 Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 (edited) Just don't rush him back. I would hate to see him ruined by playing too soon, and before he is totally ready. The extended break will do him, and the other players struggling with injuries, a good chance to fully recover. As long as he's keeping himself fit (mentally, and physically), I can't imagine he will struggle returning to playing football as long as he is totally healed. It is great to see him engaging with, and standing by the club during this. We have had plenty of players who have ripped the piss in the past, and I sense absolutely none of this with him. He wants the chance to do right by us, and that's absolutely fine with me. Like many of us on here, I doubt we'd have been near the bottom of the table with a fully fit Haring in the squad all season. He doesn't just get stuck in, but he is clever with the ball and even chips in with good goals. He is the all round midfielder/defensive mid we've desperately needed and it's a shame that he has suffered repeated setbacks. Whatever league we are in next season, he will stroll it Edited July 21, 2020 by tian447 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John mcCartney Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Wishing the maestro all the best for his future, professional and personal. Mustve been gutting going thru all this shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ToqueJambo Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Potential legend in the making. Hope he makes a full recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasquale for King Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 He will make a massive difference if he can get back to his best, a huge miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaShango Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Just listened to his interview at training and still says he has some discomfort when doing certain things. I really hope he can get back to 100% but I fear we will not see him the same again. Seems like even after a year and a bit out the game he isn't moving as well as he would like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETTY29 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJGJ Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 7 minutes ago, PapaShango said: Just listened to his interview at training and still says he has some discomfort when doing certain things. I really hope he can get back to 100% but I fear we will not see him the same again. Seems like even after a year and a bit out the game he isn't moving as well as he would like. Time will tell and it is surely not unexpected some discomfort is felt He needs to be reigned in where necessary but he has to be given time to improve After all this time there would appear to be no 'magic bullet' cure for his issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Fredrickson Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 9 minutes ago, PapaShango said: Just listened to his interview at training and still says he has some discomfort when doing certain things. I really hope he can get back to 100% but I fear we will not see him the same again. Seems like even after a year and a bit out the game he isn't moving as well as he would like. I thought he was referring to aches due to his body not being used to training. At least I hope that is what he meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hungry hippo Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, Carl Fredrickson said: I thought he was referring to aches due to his body not being used to training. At least I hope that is what he meant. I thought it sounded like more than that but at least he's making progress. Hopefully his body can get used to the demands on that area of his body and build up some resistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Fredrickson Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 4 minutes ago, Hungry hippo said: I thought it sounded like more than that but at least he's making progress. Hopefully his body can get used to the demands on that area of his body and build up some resistance. I am trying to be optimistic..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Black Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 11 minutes ago, Hungry hippo said: I thought it sounded like more than that but at least he's making progress. Hopefully his body can get used to the demands on that area of his body and build up some resistance. He's had about 4 ops all in the same region of his body. It will take time to build up the tissues. the muscle in that area. Until that is done he will feel something. He is taking it a lot slower this time which is good, I just hope Souter does the same. We rush them back far to soon especially if it is a persistent problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tian447 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Watched the interview on Hearts Facebook. He's starting to develop a wee bit of a Scottish accent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 19 minutes ago, David Black said: He's had about 4 ops all in the same region of his body. It will take time to build up the tissues. the muscle in that area. Until that is done he will feel something. He is taking it a lot slower this time which is good, I just hope Souter does the same. We rush them back far to soon especially if it is a persistent problem. It’s often as much a mental strength thing to get back to full fitness from bad Injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Black Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 13 minutes ago, davemclaren said: It’s often as much a mental strength thing to get back to full fitness from bad Injuries. It is indeed. I hope he does get back to being the player he was as, as in my opinion he was /is the most influential player we have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTT Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 51 minutes ago, David Black said: He's had about 4 ops all in the same region of his body. It will take time to build up the tissues. the muscle in that area. Until that is done he will feel something. He is taking it a lot slower this time which is good, I just hope Souter does the same. We rush them back far to soon especially if it is a persistent problem. Haring was look superb prior to his break down. Still fully believe we'd have won that cup final had he been able to stay on. Hope taking it slow again will help him get back to where he was. A 27 game season should help too and hopefully Robbie is sensible about his exposure to first team football (i.e rotates regularly to give his body time to readjust). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 17 minutes ago, David Black said: It is indeed. I hope he does get back to being the player he was as, as in my opinion he was /is the most influential player we have. Absolutely. He was the only player We had that came close to bossing the midfield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1874 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Best player in Scotland outside OF. Pray he can find some fitness this year. Would be ok if we use him sparingly (just to keep him safe) and then he is ready for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James1874f Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Love him, really hope we all yet to see him back in a Hearts jersey for Most of the season and atleast next aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie1874 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 1 hour ago, R1874 said: Best player in Scotland outside OF. Pray he can find some fitness this year. Would be ok if we use him sparingly (just to keep him safe) and then he is ready for next year. 👍 mentioned to a Celtic supporter before his injury that he was good enough to get in any team in the league and he laughed. Genuinely believe he was that good, fingers crossed he comes back as good as. 🙏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamboinglasgow Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 One thing which is forgotten is his goal scoring ability, his first season in got almost a 1 in 5 goal scoring rate. Watched the interview, certainly have no issue with him taking it slowly to build up. Rather get him back again even if it is a few months into the season before he can play, then rush him back and he is out for another season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droid Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Just to be clear, Celtic(Cup Final) were never in the game until he went off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwidoug Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 Would be remarkable bookends if his last game and his next game were both Cup Finals against Celtic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whatever Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 3 hours ago, droid said: Just to be clear, Celtic(Cup Final) were never in the game until he went off. Correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Treasurer Posted September 1, 2020 Share Posted September 1, 2020 14 hours ago, OTT said: Haring was look superb prior to his break down. Still fully believe we'd have won that cup final had he been able to stay on. Hope taking it slow again will help him get back to where he was. A 27 game season should help too and hopefully Robbie is sensible about his exposure to first team football (i.e rotates regularly to give his body time to readjust). Agree with all of this. Sellik's equaliser came from a gap in the area where Haring was playing. Hopefully if he is fit enough to be involved this season he could be used for an hour and not play in every game to give him a chance to slowly get back to the level he was at.Even if he is only able to reach 80-90% he'd still be better than anything else we have in midfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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