I know all about Hearts cup pain so hearing Craig Halkett could get his chance was brilliant – Ryan Stevenson

Robbie Neilson's confirmation Craig Halkett is winning his race to be fit for the Scottish Cup Final has to be the best news this week.

I feared the worst when the defender was stretchered off with that ankle injury in Hearts’ semi-final victory over Hibs.

I thought it may have robbed him of a return visit to Hampden, which would have been horrible for a guy who I hold in the highest regard.

In my 20-year career I made only one cup final – the 2013 League Cup when Hearts lost to St Mirren – so nobody has to tell me these days don’t come around too often for most pros.

It would be a huge blow for Halkett to miss it but equally hard for Neilson to take because he’s been Hearts’ best defender this season. That is to take nothing away from John Souttar, who’s been superb as well, but the Jambos miss Halkett more when he’s out.

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I admire him not just for his ability, which is massively underrated. He is a seven or eight out of 10 every week and given he is so consistent, he can be taken a bit for granted – not by his manager or team-mates though.

What I really like is the mental strength Halkett has shown to build a career after spending years trying to make the breakthrough at Rangers before being released