The Hearts centre-back corps: Depth, flexibility, main headers, Halkett impact
Why Hearts have the best centre-back depth in the Premiership
22nd September

Michael Steinwender, Stuart Findlay, Craig Halkett, Jamie McCart, and Frankie Kent are Hearts’ defenders. \i> (Photo: NQ personnel)
Michael Steinwender, Stuart Findlay, Craig Halkett, Jamie McCart, and Frankie Kent are Hearts’ defenders. (Photo: employees of NQ)
The Heart of Midlothian center-back corps is the best in the Scottish Premiership.

Derek McInnes may choose from a wonderful mix of three left-footed and three right-footed players when everyone is healthy.

Michael Steinwender, Craig Halkett, Jamie McCart, Frankie Kent, Stuart Findlay, and Stephen Kingsley.

Out of the six, any two or three would offer a pairing that combines physicality, experience, and dependability. It’s one that the majority of fans, if not all of them, would feel comfortable seeing in the starting lineup.

One or two of the more experienced players currently at the club were expected to go when Findlay, a center-back McInnes was very eager to recruit after his appointment, joined.

That wasn’t the case due to several circumstances. The first was Jamie McCart’s injury early in the preseason.

McInnes was eager to have the option of playing a back three, so that was the second tactical consideration. In the majority of games, the club has used a three-man backline at some stage, either at the beginning or in the second half.

Thirdly, Steinwender and Kingsley are versatile players who can both play full-back, as they demonstrated against Rangers.

Last but not least is McInnes’ personal perspective on defensive depth and team building.

“I think I said when I first came in, I’ve been blessed to inherit so many good defenders,” McInnes told Hearts Standard.

“I think the idea that we had too many defenders was discussed right from the start, especially when I recruited Stuart Findlay. Lewis Neilson has clearly gone out on loan, Adam [Forrester] has gone out on loan, and Jamie McCart has been injured.

“Those figures suddenly weren’t as high as they could have appeared. However, Steinwender, Kent, Halkett, McCart, and Findlay always seemed like excellent choices to me.

“Defense players receive suspensions, and defenders sustain injuries,” he continued. It’s just the way things are.

An excellent illustration is what transpired when McCart was scheduled to return: Due to an injury, Kent was expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks.

“I always like to work with at least eight across the back line,” McInnes stated. Center backs with full-back skills and full-backs who could step in on the left or right side of a three-pointer.

“We definitely have that flexibility, in my opinion. [Last Saturday] was an example of how Rangers used two wingers to essentially play wing back and two strikers; we still had five defenders to handle it and finish the game.”

McInnes is pleased to make adjustments to his defensive lineup and players, just as he did during the victory over the Rangers.

A change in shape has caused Halkett and Kent to be substituted out of games at or at halftime.

He believes in all of his defensive alternatives, which is part of it.

The Hearts head coach was quite impressed by McCart throughout preseason before his injury, and he returned last Saturday. The recent bounce game victory over Ayr United was “terrific” for him.

“I think sometimes you’re as strong from the bench,” McInnes responded. “There are instances when the players who are not participating are far more powerful than those who are. It’s always beneficial for a manager. Yes, I do feel that.

“I modified Kent’s shape, so I removed him from games when it was extremely hard. Kent remained on while I removed Craig to modify his shape at Livingston. Most of the time, it contains nothing. The form has just been altered by you. One is not weaker than the other, that’s for sure.

“It can be a bit tough on the players coming off, but I think if we’re going to keep ourselves at the top end of the table and keep trying to give the best we can of ourselves, we’re going to need that squad.”

This season, one player in particular has won over the Hearts supporters. His availability was a non-defensive quality, not because his defensive abilities were in question. Craig Halkett is that player.

The 30-year-old is one defender who could have been traded during the summer, according to a good number of supporters.

But for the player, it was a summer of transformation. He was perfectly prepared for the preseason. Now he and Hearts are enjoying the rewards.

Compared to his 2022–2023 campaign, he has already made more appearances. He needs two more to surpass his 23/24 season total. If everything goes according to plan, he will have made more appearances than he did the previous season.

“I think for Craig Halkett, he completed every training session, got off to a strong start through his pre-season work and League Cup,” McInnes stated.

Whether playing in a back three or a back four, a fully healthy Halkett is the ideal defender for Scottish football.

He has cultivated a close bond with Findlay, and the two work incredibly well together as a center-back tandem.

They both play aggressively and support Hearts’ goal of winning the ball back high on the pitch. In terms of the number of ball recoveries in the opponent half per ninety minutes, both center backs rank in the top ten in the league.

Defenders who enjoy the physical side of the game and are strong in the air are essential in Scottish football. McInnes is fortunate to have center-backs who can win the first header.

As of this now, Findlay leads all regular Premiership center-backs in aerial wins. In the top 10 is Halkett as well.

“Saturday, he was great alongside Big Stuart and getting a clean sheet at Ibrox,” remarked McInnes.

He’s been precisely what I expected him to be, I believe. He seems like a really aggressive center-back to me. He always manages to get the ball to fly.

He is always an excellent header of the ball, in my opinion. Not only does he have strong technique and ball heading skills, but he also has a keen eye for getting the flight. His timing is impeccable.

“He trains constantly and, presumably, has recovered from his injury problems, so he uses the ball well. He’s given himself the finest opportunity, and I believe it will work to our advantage.”

“I think I have a lot of main headers in both boxes,” he continued. Findlay is a primary heading, in my opinion. The major header is Frankie Kent. Jamie McCart has good ball-heading skills. Most likely, Halkett is just as good as any of them. He is a true asset, but he is more than that.

“As an extra bonus, he has already contributed a couple goals. Keeping the ball out on the primary is his responsibility. He’s typically been excellent along with us when we’ve performed well this season.”

Halkett’s leadership position extends beyond the field. Off the field, he plays a significant role as well.

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McInnes mentioned the necessity for others to assist him in carrying out that duty when he confirmed that Lawrence Shankland will continue to serve as captain.

Halkett is among them.

“I’m really enjoying working with Craig because obviously he’s a senior figure in the dressing room,” he stated.

“I always believed he could handle the additional responsibilities when I first saw him, before I knew the team as well as I do today.

One of the Scottish youngsters I wanted to have a greater impact on is him. We’re all happy that he’s been able to get the minutes and improve on his influence on the field, which is what he wants more.”