Craig Halkett admits Hearts' European dream fears as defender lifts lid on injury heartache

Craig Halkett was already playing catch-up when he feared his European dream had been shattered after just six minutes in Switzerland.

But the Hearts defender’s recovery from a hamstring pull sustained in a Europa League play-off defeat to FC Zurich last month is all but complete. Now all roads lead to Riga as the Jambos aim to get back on the rails after Thursday’s Conference League lesson from Istanbul Basaksehir.

A four-goal defeat by the Turks was a reminder of the step-up in class against continental opposition – and Halkett is convinced their clash against Rigas FS is a chance to realise both personal and club ambitions. He said: “It was extremely disappointing to get the injury after only a few minutes of the away play-off tie against FC Zurich. "I was gutted as my whole career has been building towards these types of games and towards heading in the right direction. To get to that point, and for it only to last six minutes, was so hard to take. It was hard to find any positives but at least, regardless of what happened, as a club we had already guaranteed group-stage football in Europe for this season.

“That was always the bigger picture and great to know even as I sat watching the remainder of that game and the home tie at Tynecastle. There was the comfort of knowing there would still be at least six more games in Europe.

“I was just trying to remain positive and there are now five games ahead of us. I’m just desperate to be a part of them.”

The Scotland squad man will be part of the Hearts group which travels to Latvia on Wednesday. He’s adamant no chances have been taken to ensure he’s ready to be involved in a Group A tie, which can become part of a kick-start to a season that has delivered only one win