SNS GroupCraig Halkett is back in the Hearts starting line-up as the Tynecastle side prepare to face RFS in Riga.
The defender is fit again after a four-week absence and Robbie Neilson believes he will bring some stability to the side as they meet another Europa Conference League challenge.
Hearts began their group stage campaign with a 4-0 home defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir, while their Latvian opponents were drawing with Fiorentina in Italy. Neilson knows his team will have to be at their best to get the result they want but believes the return of the experienced defender can only help with that aim.
” For us, it’s important we get back to what we’re good at,” the Hearts manager said.
“Getting guys like Halkett back, and getting back into the habit of getting the ball into good positions. We’re very early into this group stage, and yes, we’re disappointed that we got beat by Istanbul.”
Craig Gordon starts in goal in Riga, with Halkett part of a three-man defence with Alex Cochrane and Stephen kingsley.
Andy Halliday, Jorge Grant, Cammy Devlin and Mikey Smith make up a midfield four, whil Barrie McKay and Josh Ginnelly start wide of central striker Lawrence Shankland.
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