Michael Stewart has suggested Hearts were missing Craig Halkett’s physicality in the defeat to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.
The Jambos headed into the Tynecastle clash with Killie unbeaten in three games, all of which presided over by new manager Neil Critchley.
Convincing wins over St Mirren and Omonoia got fans onside with Critchley after some initial scepticism before a point was gained in the Edinburgh derby against Hibs.
Hearts had a bit of momentum but that has been slowed down again after Killie secured three points in Gorgie with a comeback victory having gone 1-0 down.
Matty Kennedy and Kyle Vassell were the scorers for the Ayrshire outfit and the poor result has left Hearts bottom of the Premiership again after 11 games played.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 10 |  DundeeDundee | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 9 |
| 11 |  HibernianHibernian | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 7 |
| 12 |  Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 6 |
Analysing the game on Sportscene, Stewart spotted that central defenders Kye Rowles and Frankie Kent were struggling to deal with Kilmarnock’s physicality, particularly at the second goal when Vassell held off Rowles to swivel and score.
And it reminded him of Craig Halkett and how he may have been more able to defend against Vassell. Stewart understands why Critchley favours Rowles and Kent at the moment but noted that Halkett was playing well at the start of the season.
He now finds himself warming the bench most weeks but Stewart would like to see Halkett getting up to match speed again by playing some more games.
- READ MORE: Struggling Hearts and Hibs next 4 Premiership fixtures compared with one facing daunting November
Are Hearts missing Craig Halkett?
Stewart said on Sportscene: “Kyle Vassell has bullied Hearts defensively in the second-half in particular but all game, Kilmarnock just got up and after Hearts and played the game in Hearts’ own half.
“See from Hearts’ perspective, Craig Halkett – you can see here that Kyle Vassell has just pinned Kye Rowles. He’s just said, ‘you stay there and I’m going to control this situation’ and it’s another wonderful finish.
“But as I was going to say there, it’s a balancing act of giving up the physicality of Craig Halkett and then you’ve got more mobility with the two centre-halves (Rowles and Kent) they’ve got.
“I’ve got to say, Craig Halkett played last month having got back from injury, he played a few games and he was actually looking really good. And I’m disappointed for him that he’s dropped out of the team.
“I can understand it with the manager’s thinking, you’re giving up the strength but gaining a bit of mobility. But for Craig Halkett, he needs to play games and get fit and I thought he was actually looking really good last month.”
What has Halkett’s season looked like so far?
The 29-year-old central defender has been plagued with injury issues of late, a knee injury his most recent problem which in February, ruled him out for the rest of last season.
He managed to get a good pre-season under his belt but hasn’t really been picked for Hearts this season.
Halkett has featured four times, all of which were Hearts defeats amid Steven Naismith’s terrible start ti the campaign which ultimately got him the sack.
He hasn’t played since September 21 against St Mirren and is yet to gain any minutes under new boss Critchley.