Hearts boss Robbie Neilson delivers positive injury update ahead of Istanbul Basaksehir clash
ROBBIE NEILSON has revealed Hearts’ crippling injury list is finally showing signs of recovery.
The Jambos boss has been without up to a dozen first-team players due to injury woes.
But Peter Haring, Nathaniel Atkinson and Cammy Devlin have all travelled to Istanbul for this afternoon’s Conference League finale.
Stoppers Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles are back in training with a view to returning soon.
Neilson said: “They are starting to come back, which is great for us.
“We have Atkinson back in. Also Halkett and Rowles training — so they are slowly starting to get there, which is good.
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“The idea is not to push them too quickly.
“We previously did that to get Halkett back for a European game and he broke down, so this time we are treading a bit more carefully.
“Craig hasn’t travelled, he’ll stay at home and train with the possibility of being involved on Sunday.
“Peter Haring is back as he’s over his concussion protocols, and it’s important we followed those.”
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Istanbul Basaksehir taught the Jambos a lesson in their opening Group A encounter, winning easily 4-0 at Tynecastle.
Neilson expects a difficult afternoon at the Fatih Terim Stadium as the Turks are still chasing top spot.
He added: “With Basaksehir losing to Fiorentina last week, they need to win this game to finish top of the group.
“The way the group is now, the top team goes through.
“And the second team has to play a Europa League drop-out, so it makes a huge difference to this game.
“We understand it will be a very difficult task, as they have only lost a couple of their last 22 here.
“They are a top team and beat Fiorentina at home, so we have to be at it.
“The league is definitely the priority, but we have 600 fans with us here in Istanbul. So it’s really important we put on a performance for them.
“Our last couple of displays have been really good. We have shown energy and hunger but there will be some changes for this game.
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“We have a couple of big matches coming up before we go to the World Cup break.
“But it will still be a strong team that we put out.”
Goalie Craig Gordon will draw level with Steven Pressley and Henry Smith tonight as the Jambos’ all-time record European appearance holder.
Neilson, who brought in Zander Clark as back-up earlier this season, praised the veteran skipper’s professionalism, as he confirmed that Gordon, who is 40 next month, wants to keep playing.
He said: “It’s a really outstanding achievement to get so many games for Hearts.
“Craig has earned it and has looked after himself to be playing at the age he is. He has so many targets that he wants to try and hit.
“There are a few more he still wants to hit, and playing in Europe next season is still a huge objective for him.
“I’m very proud to have played with and managed him. He’s been a credit to the club.
“I had a conversation with Craig a few months ago, and we spoke about Zander Clark coming in and he’d maybe come out for a few games.
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“Craig then chapped my door and said he wants to play in EVERY game, and that’s the measure of him.
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“He wants to keep playing and is playing at a top level. It’s up to the guys to get to that level to try and force their way in.”
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