CRAIG HALKETT knew he needed an extreme effort to land his date with destiny at Hampden. Little did he realise just what it would entail as he put in the hours to keep his Scottish Cup dream alive.
Halkett was left facing a race against the clock to make the final with Rangers after being crocked during the semi-final victory over Hibernian last month.
The defender would choose to delay going under the knife in an attempt to give himself the best possible chance of lining up for Robbie Neilson's side.
That call has paid off as Halkett returned to action at Tynecastle on Saturday and saw his unique rehabilitation programme pay dividends in the end.
"I have actually been going out of the club and the training ground into what’s called an extreme environment chamber over at Hamilton," Halkett said.
"You’re in a room with a couple of bikes, treadmills, rowing machines and you can set the temperature, the altitude and the humidity.
"Just the other week there, I was on the bike for 40 minutes in 35 degree heat, 3,000 altitude. So it’s tough.
"Not that I was thanking them at the time, but looking forward to next week, hopefully it’s going to be hugely beneficial for me.
"It’s a way of keeping up your fitness when you’re not actually out on the grass. I’ve been there five or six times and just been working really hard.
"They don’t feel good. The guy who works there said you will feel a wee bit dizzy and a wee bit sick after it.
"That first night I went home I was just on my couch for a couple hours. It’s been good.
"It’s great of the club to look through these things and do everything they can to get me back in the best shape possible. I feel like I am."
Halkett would ease through the final 15 minutes of action against Rangers as Neilson's side rounded off their Premiership campaign with a 3-1 defeat.
The result was ultimately immaterial in terms of the top flight table. The afternoon was significant for Halkett, though, as he stepped up his cup final preparations.
Halkett said: “It’s been a tough three-and-a-half weeks sitting on the sidelines.
“But there’s been a lot of hard work in the background to finally get back on that pitch. It was good.
“As the time went on it was always looking more positive. At the time it happened in the semi-final I feared the worst and thought it was season over.
"But thankfully after speaking to the physios, doctors and the specialist, we realised it would be tight but there would be a chance of getting back. Thankfully everything has gone as smoothly as it could.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve probably worked harder over the last two or three weeks than I have done all season.
“It’s a massive game and one I couldn’t bare to miss. Fitness wise I’m feeling really good.
“With the injury I had, 99 times out of 100 it needs an operation to fix it.
“Obviously we’ve gone through the rehab and it’s come on better than first thought.
“So I think it will be about getting through the final, having another scan and seeing how it is, then making a decision."
That call will be critical for Halkett and crucial for Steve Clarke as he ponders his Scotland selection issues for the upcoming international schedule.
The World Cup showdown with Ukraine is followed by matches with the Republic of Ireland and Armenia and time will tell whether Halkett is able to answer a call of duty.
Halkett said: “Obviously that is out of my control but having been involved in the March squad, that was something I was trying my best to get involved in again for the summer.
“But when you get the injury, you fear the worst. After that it was just about making sure I could get to the final. After we cross that bridge, we’ll look forward."
