Now that the 2018/19 season has drawn to a close, I intend to select some players from across the Premiership and possibly beyond, giving my review of their good, bad or indifferent season. I’ll then mark them one to 10, with one being terrible and 10 being amazing.
First up on my list is Livingston skipper Craig Halkett.
I’ll go out on a limb and say he was the best centre-half in Scotland during the 2018/19 campaign. The Livingston captain will move to Hearts this summer, a just reward for his Livi efforts.
Halkett has been the leader of Gary Holt’s men’s triumphant return to the top flight in Scotland. He has been a loyal servant to them and fans of the West Lothian outfit will no doubt wish him well at his new club.
Halkett is a Livi legend now
One-third of the well known defensive partnership between Alan Lithgow, Declan Gallagher and himself, you got the feeling that Halkett was the glue that made the trio stick together. At just 24 years of age, he has terrific leadership qualities.
Protecting keeper Liam Kelly has been his main task and he’s done it effectively. At home Livi had the fourth best record in the league, thanks in no small part to Halkett’s defensive work.
In total he helped the West Lothian outfit keep 14 clean sheet alongside his two defensive partners in crime. Not only that but he was the club’s joint top scorer as well, becoming a threat in the opposition’s box. His long-range effort against St Johnstone was alright too.
It’s not often a club has to replace a captain, a goalscorer, plus their best defender, and for all those things to be attributed to one player. That is the task Holt has though as he looks to find someone to at least get near the performance levels of Halkett.
Hearts fans will no doubt be buzzing to see him in maroon. Having made his way up the leagues with Livi, he can rightfully claim the title as a Livi legend. His performances this season cement that.
Overall it has been a standout season, topped off with a PFA Team of the Season inclusion. There is only one mark Halkett’s season can get.