Craig Halkett sets Hearts injury return timeline as he pinpoints 'hypothetical' Conference League timeline

Craig Halkett has had a peek into the fixture card horizon which he’s praying will provide a taste of European football for Hearts beyond their Europa Conference League play-off round.

The Jambos defender was one of the first players on the pitch to celebrate as third round progress was confirmed against Rosenborg and he’s desperate to pencil in a group stage appearance as his side aim to overcome Greek side PAOK. Those post-match celebrations after a 4-3 aggregate win over the Norwegians provided a tonic for the 28-year-old who’s nearing a top team return after being sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last December.

It’s been a long road for a player who insists he’s had a check of the group stage diary but knows well the size of the challenge which awaits against PAOK in a first-leg at Tynecastle tomorrow night and he doesn’t want to preempt anything. He said: “I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t looked at the dates for the group stage games. I’ve checked the latter stage fixtures and the Europa Conference League group games stretch all the way into December.

"Match day four is on the second or third of November. It’s hypothetical but all going well and if I manage to get a few games before that and if the boys manage to get through then that would be a realistic target. It’s difficult as there’s nothing I can do at the moment to help us get there other than support them as best I can.

“Last Thursday’s win over Rosenborg was a special occasion, a great game and really enjoyable. There were some nervous moments at times but I was overjoyed to see the boys deliver the result.

“It was similar to the games at home in Europe last season, there’s just something about playing under the lights at