Hearts have 'best defender in Scotland' as Craig Halkett tipped to surprise Steve Clarke

The national coach has called up a 26-year-old labelled ‘probably the best defender in Scotland’ by former manager David Hopkin.

Motivation to recover from that Ibrox release in 2016 drove Halkett through the leagues as Hopkin’s captain at Livingston. He is now a Tynecastle Park mainstay finally getting international recognition after years of diligent endeavours.

Comfortable in a back three, strong and aggressive, intelligent and determined to succeed, Halkett suits Scotland in many ways. Clarke spent months watching him first-hand before calling him in on Sunday along with Sunderland striker Ross Stewart and St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark.

Halkett’s true influence on Hearts is perfectly encapsulated by the last two months. He limped off with a hamstring injury against Celtic on January 26 and the Edinburgh club won just one of their next five league matches.

Since the centre-back returned at St Mirren on February 26, four victories have ensued from five games. For good measure, Halkett’s late equaliser earned a 2-2 draw at Dundee United in the other match. His importance becomes even more glaring when he isn’t available.

Clarke clearly sees some international potential in this ever-improving club linchpin. Hopkin, the owner of seven Scotland caps, expects him to fit like a glove.

“Scotland are getting a right good defender,” he told the Evening News. “Everybody thinks Craig is big and rugged but he’s more than that. Every Hearts game I watch, he just gets better and better.

“He is highly intelligent, wants to be coached and learn. He always retained information and wanted to improve. He’s been like that since I signed him at 21 – maturity beyond his years, a winner and probably the best defender in Scotland.

“I