Craig Halkett

[Glencoejambo]

What is his current  injury  status?.

[Bull's-eye]

Injured.

[i8hibsh]

Cracking player but I have sadly written him off.  Seem to recall he got a contract extention recently too - scratching my head at that one as he will spend the next 2 years battling to be fit.

[Pasquale for King]

Injured, as always. Not sure of giving him a new deal when hes never fully fit. 

[Салатные палочки]

Crocked

[Pasquale for King]

Naismith has done a press conference so we should hear who’s out soon. 

[i8hibsh]

I'm sure being injured is no fun at all for him and do not doubt his desire to be back out there and his commitment into doing so but all I care about is having our best players out there and winning games, so as unfair as it is he can't be relied upon to be fit.

[Sooks]

Last I heard he was being slowly eased back in with a view to being properly ready next season . He was out for so long he is liable to pick up niggles . This may have changed and I never noticed the news on it 

[davemclaren]

Just now, Sooks said:

Last I heard he was being slowly eased back in with a view to being properly ready next season . He was out for so long he is liable to pick up niggles . This may have changed and I never noticed the news on it 

Iirc he went for a scan on his knee after the Airdrie match.  Not sure what the outcome was. 

[Sooks]

Just now, davemclaren said:

Iirc he went for a scan on his knee after the Airdrie match.  Not sure what the outcome was. 

Oh yeah , I remember that now . Not heard anything since 

[Rick Sanchez]

[Sooks]

1 minute ago, Rick Sanchez said:

Loved that trilogy . Would have liked to have seen another in the series 

[Fozzyonthefence]

9 minutes ago, Sooks said:

Last I heard he was being slowly eased back in with a view to being properly ready next season . He was out for so long he is liable to pick up niggles . This may have changed and I never noticed the news on it 

If that’s the case then Kent better be fit or we’re really going to struggle defensively without both. 

[Jeremy Goss]

11 minutes ago, Sooks said:

Last I heard he was being slowly eased back in with a view to being properly ready next season . He was out for so long he is liable to pick up niggles . This may have changed and I never noticed the news on it 

Getting Deja vu here as sure this was stated last season too.

[Sooks]

Just now, Fozzyonthefence said:

If that’s the case then Kent better be fit or we’re really going to struggle defensively without both. 

I know , I think people are saying Kent is on crutches on the match thread though , so it might well be the reality this Sunday . Occasionally things like this can bizarrely work in your favour ……… not hopeful though 

[Sooks]

Just now, Jeremy Goss said:

Getting Deja vu here as sure this was stated last season too.

I do not remember that last season , but it was definitely said fairly recently 

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

Prepared for life without him really, shame, not really played much in 2 years now, outlook can't be great for him

[tian447]

I don't remember him being injured all that much at Livingston. 

 

Checking his injury history is absolutely brutal on https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/craig-halkett/verletzungen/spieler/253817

 

He's been out injured as many games as he's played for us according to that. Although they do also reckon he missed 426 days in season 22/23, which is impressive

 

[Mikey1874]

14 minutes ago, davemclaren said:

Iirc he went for a scan on his knee after the Airdrie match.  Not sure what the outcome was. 

 

Seeing a specialist this week to confirm things. Hearts believe he is okay. 

[Sooks]

Whats Jimmy Dunne up to ………….. sorry could not resist 

[Gundermann]

21 minutes ago, Sooks said:

Last I heard he was being slowly eased back in with a view to being properly ready next season . He was out for so long he is liable to pick up niggles . This may have changed and I never noticed the news on it 

 

So, starting 11 on Sunday then?

[Sooks]

1 minute ago, Gundermann said:

 

So, starting 11 on Sunday then?

Could well be mate ! Surely though , the likes of Sibbick can see a situation like this as an opportunity to resurrect their careers ? Just buck the **** up and take their chances 

[Fozzyonthefence]

7 minutes ago, Sooks said:

I know , I think people are saying Kent is on crutches on the match thread though , so it might well be the reality this Sunday . Occasionally things like this can bizarrely work in your favour ……… not hopeful though 

Ffs!  If you remember how bad defensively we were when Halkett was out and before we signed Kent (when our CBs were take your pick from Rowles, Sibbick, Neilson, Kingsley, Cochrane), when it felt like the opposition either scored or had a scoring chance from every cross that went into the box then I’m afraid we’re going back to these days again.  Especially when you factor in a RB that seems incapable of preventing crosses regularly being supplied and a keeper who won’t come off his line.  We need a fit Kent or Halkett otherwise I don’t see a pleasant end to the season. 

[Sooks]

3 minutes ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

Ffs!  If you remember how bad defensively we were when Halkett was out and before we signed Kent (when our CBs were take your pick from Rowles, Sibbick, Neilson, Kingsley, Cochrane), when it felt like the opposition either scored or had a scoring chance from every cross that went into the box then I’m afraid we’re going back to these days again.  Especially when you factor in a RB that seems incapable of preventing crosses regularly being supplied and a keeper who won’t come off his line.  We need a fit Kent or Halkett otherwise I don’t see a pleasant end to the season. 

Cheeeeeeeel Winston ………… I know though and I am far from looking forward to Sunday . Just clutching at straws in all honesty 

[jr ewing]

On crutches Wednesday night. 

[Fozzyonthefence]

2 minutes ago, Sooks said:

Cheeeeeeeel Winston ………… I know though and I am far from looking forward to Sunday . Just clutching at straws in all honesty 

To be honest I’m not even thinking about Sunday, more the end to the season as a whole and especially the Cup.  I wouldn’t be so negative if we hadn’t seen this movie before but without Kent or Halkett we basically have the same defenders to choose from (minus Neilson and Smith) that have already shown they’re not up to it as a defensive unit.  
 

Incredible how reliant we are one player at the top end and one at the back just to do the simple basics of defending.  
 

On the plus side we probably only realistically need a couple of league wins to secure 3rd place. 

[Sooks]

1 minute ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

To be honest I’m not even thinking about Sunday, more the end to the season as a whole and especially the Cup.  I wouldn’t be so negative if we hadn’t seen this movie before but without Kent or Halkett we basically have the same defenders to choose from (minus Neilson and Smith) that have already shown they’re not up to it as a defensive unit.  
 

Incredible how reliant we are one player at the top end and one at the back just to do the simple basics of defending.  
 

On the plus side we probably only realistically need a couple of league wins to secure 3rd place. 

It is why we can never put in a title challenge . We can find a sprinkling of players who individually are as good or even better than everyone in the league including the old firm from time to time . Problem is we can not financially afford to pay for an entire team of them and subs who can come on and replace them without losing quality on the park . Even at that we have fans calling for us to trim the squad and complaining about too many players in a position . We need a decent sized squad full of quality and it is something that is really difficult to assemble in our market . Even when we get a couple of top players like Beni , Shankland or Gordon , we are unable to get the same quality in other positions before they move on 

[jamboinglasgow]

2 minutes ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

To be honest I’m not even thinking about Sunday, more the end to the season as a whole and especially the Cup.  I wouldn’t be so negative if we hadn’t seen this movie before but without Kent or Halkett we basically have the same defenders to choose from (minus Neilson and Smith) that have already shown they’re not up to it as a defensive unit.  
 

Incredible how reliant we are one player at the top end and one at the back just to do the simple basics of defending.  
 

On the plus side we probably only realistically need a couple of league wins to secure 3rd place. 

 

I think while Kent has been important to us, I do think people are doing the other defenders a disservice not acknowledging their improvement this season. Rowles has been much improved, Kingsley is a different player from last season. While Kent been one of the reasons for improvement, he is not the only one.

 

Do I think we have made our season harder with Kent out? Yes. Do I think the defence is now as weak as last season? No. 

[Pasquale for King]

33 minutes ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

If that’s the case then Kent better be fit or we’re really going to struggle defensively without both. 

Both out

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/hearts-defender-frankie-kent-out-of-sundays-match-against-celtic-4539340

[colinmaroon]

20 minutes ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

Ffs!  If you remember how bad defensively we were when Halkett was out and before we signed Kent (when our CBs were take your pick from Rowles, Sibbick, Neilson, Kingsley, Cochrane), when it felt like the opposition either scored or had a scoring chance from every cross that went into the box then I’m afraid we’re going back to these days again.  Especially when you factor in a RB that seems incapable of preventing crosses regularly being supplied and a keeper who won’t come off his line.  We need a fit Kent or Halkett otherwise I don’t see a pleasant end to the season. 

 

TBF it's Cochrane that stands back and allows crosses.  Atkinson is guilty of giving the ball away but performs better than Cochrane with crosses.  You can see that by the fact he gives away many more corners than Cochrane. 

 

 

[Pasquale for King]

6 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

I think while Kent has been important to us, I do think people are doing the other defenders a disservice not acknowledging their improvement this season. Rowles has been much improved, Kingsley is a different player from last season. While Kent been one of the reasons for improvement, he is not the only one.

 

Do I think we have made our season harder with Kent out? Yes. Do I think the defence is now as weak as last season? No. 

Can we revisit this around 2pm on Sunday?

Edited March 1 by Pasquale for King

[jamboinglasgow]

Just now, Pasquale for King said:

Can we revisit this around 2pm on Sunday?

 

Not really going to judge that game considering we shipped 5 goals less than a week ago against Rangers with Kent playing. I am talking about the rest of the season.

[Fozzyonthefence]

8 minutes ago, colinmaroon said:

 

TBF it's Cochrane that stands back and allows crosses.  Atkinson is guilty of giving the ball away but performs better than Cochrane with crosses.  You can see that by the fact he gives away many more corners than Cochrane. 

 

 

Did you see how many crosses came in from Atkinson’s side on Wednesday?  Ok, I’ll concede - crosses will be raining in from both wings!🙈

[stuart500]

We'll just have to attack more if our defence is weakened. I'm not just talking about Sunday's game here but no matter who we're playing.

 

If we are going to be playing Sibbick he's at least pretty quick on the deck. We don't want to be defending deep if we are so weak in the air. 

 

It always seems we lose key players at the worst possible time. ☹️

[Tommy Brown]

47 minutes ago, Sooks said:

Whats Jimmy Dunne up to ………….. sorry could not resist 

Loving his foot all under Marti 

[Fozzyonthefence]

22 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

I think while Kent has been important to us, I do think people are doing the other defenders a disservice not acknowledging their improvement this season. Rowles has been much improved, Kingsley is a different player from last season. While Kent been one of the reasons for improvement, he is not the only one.

 

Do I think we have made our season harder with Kent out? Yes. Do I think the defence is now as weak as last season? No. 

The biggest problem without both Kent and Halkett is that none of the others are good in the air and that’s why we conceded a ridiculous amount of goals from corners or other crosses.  

[Sooks]

22 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

I think while Kent has been important to us, I do think people are doing the other defenders a disservice not acknowledging their improvement this season. Rowles has been much improved, Kingsley is a different player from last season. While Kent been one of the reasons for improvement, he is not the only one.

 

Do I think we have made our season harder with Kent out? Yes. Do I think the defence is now as weak as last season? No. 

You are quite correct of course . The problem for me though , is that we do not have anyone as commanding as Kent is if Halkett does not make it . Kingsley is about the closest we have , and in previous pairings with Sibbick we tended to be very vulnerable to the sort of attacks that require a big strong heid the ba type 

[Fozzyonthefence]

7 minutes ago, stuart500 said:

We'll just have to attack more if our defence is weakened. I'm not just talking about Sunday's game here but no matter who we're playing.

 

If we are going to be playing Sibbick he's at least pretty quick on the deck. We don't want to be defending deep if we are so weak in the air. 

 

It always seems we lose key players at the worst possible time. ☹️

Not sure this is the worst possible time.  Tin hat on but 3rd is in the bag!  Don’t think we had much chance of winning the cup anyway.   But if we get to the semi hopefully Kent will be back anyway.

[Gordon Ramsay]

Poor decision to give him a new contract.

[OTT]

Really sad about his injury problems. The guy is a defensive powerhouse. Every bit the unit that Kent is, which makes it so frustrating we've not been able to get them both going. 

 

Fully fit, I think Kent Halkett Rowles is comfortably the best defensive back 3 outside of the OF.

[hearts00]

1 hour ago, i8hibsh said:

Cracking player but I have sadly written him off.  Seem to recall he got a contract extention recently too - scratching my head at that one as he will spend the next 2 years battling to be fit.

Agreed. All decisions from here have to exclude Halkett. He’s played about 6 games in just over two seasons. 
 

Having Halkett and Boyce on contracts next season is jarring. 

[Pasquale for King]

37 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Not really going to judge that game considering we shipped 5 goals less than a week ago against Rangers with Kent playing. I am talking about the rest of the season.

That was away and a poor performance by everyone. At home on Sunday will be a different test for the defence without the main organiser. Yet another reason for Gordon to return. 

[Pasquale for King]

33 minutes ago, stuart500 said:

We'll just have to attack more if our defence is weakened. I'm not just talking about Sunday's game here but no matter who we're playing.

 

If we are going to be playing Sibbick he's at least pretty quick on the deck. We don't want to be defending deep if we are so weak in the air. 

 

It always seems we lose key players at the worst possible time. ☹️

Spot on, keep the ball in the opponents half, press properly and force them to hit long balls. Won’t happen though, 532 and sat deep awaiting the inevitable outcome. 

[colinmaroon]

36 minutes ago, Fozzyonthefence said:

Did you see how many crosses came in from Atkinson’s side on Wednesday?  Ok, I’ll concede - crosses will be raining in from both wings!🙈

But it wasn't Cochrane standing there as Cochrane does.  Whether intentionally or unintentially he wasn't there to allow the cross.  He seemed to be further in.

[Pasquale for King]

So he was back running last May, didn’t start a game until December, then out again from February until next season maybe. 
Hopefully the new two year deal is heavily weighted towards appearances as he’s not shown he can get back to where he was in the first half of our return to the top flight. 

[jamboinglasgow]

32 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

That was away and a poor performance by everyone. At home on Sunday will be a different test for the defence without the main organiser. Yet another reason for Gordon to return. 

 

Certainly will be, I would agree as well that having Gordon come in might be best to command the defence. I do think losing Gordon last season had a big effect on the defence. 

[FerryJambo81]

2 hours ago, Bull's-eye said:

Injured.

😂

[Pasquale for King]

3 minutes ago, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Certainly will be, I would agree as well that having Gordon come in might be best to command the defence. I do think losing Gordon last season had a big effect on the defence. 

Agreed. We will be facing a lot of shots and does anyone want Clark to be facing them as opposed to Gordon?

[jamboinglasgow]

5 minutes ago, Pasquale for King said:

Agreed. We will be facing a lot of shots and does anyone want Clark to be facing them as opposed to Gordon?

 

Clark is fine. I dont have a problem facing a lot of shots, Gordon I would say is a better organiser which is why I would prefer him behind a defence that needs organisation (though I can see Kingsley stepping up as a leader.)

[Pasquale for King]

Just now, jamboinglasgow said:

 

Clark is fine. I dont have a problem facing a lot of shots, Gordon I would say is a better organiser which is why I would prefer him behind a defence that needs organisation (though I can see Kingsley stepping up as a leader.)

We really need better than “fine”.
The more shots he faces the more likely he is to make mistakes, like last Saturday. But the manager doesn’t see that so Gordon will be sat watching on Sunday.