Craig Halkett's Hearts vision becomes reality but defender admits there's still one thing missing

It has taken the best part of three years but Craig Halkett finally feels like he’s playing for the Hearts he visualised when joining from Livingston.

Third-place finishes, the prospect of European group stage football and a blockbuster Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs just two days away.

This is what Halkett signed up for, not his first two years in Gorgie that were characterised by misfortune and mishaps.

A wretched demotion after Covid struck and a season playing in front of no fans in the second tier.

An agonising Scottish Cup Final defeat to Celtic on spot-kicks and an excruciating exit to Highland League side Brora Rangers in the second round.

Halkett could’ve been forgiven for thinking he’d made the wrong choice swapping the Tony Macaroni Arena for Tynecastle when signing a pre-contract three years ago this month.

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But hard times make strong characters and the adversities lit a fire in Halkett’s belly to play his part in Hearts ’ resurrection.

That it’s happened in the space of 13 months since that woeful night in Brora might leave the 26-year-old pinching himself.

But he’s determined to take the season of his dreams to another level come Saturday lunchtime when the Jambos face their arch