TYNIE TARGET ON OUR BACK

Halkett reckons rivals in race to claim scalp

- DARREN JOHNSTONE

CRAIG HALKETT reckons Hearts’ rivals are desperate to be the team that ends their stunning unbeaten start to the season.

But the defender insists that is only fuelling the players' desire to keep that record going for as long as possible.

Derek McInnes' side are yet to taste a loss from their opening 12 league games and have a seven-point lead over Celtic at the summit.

Aberdeen are next up after the international break and Halkett insists the Dons will not be short of motivation in that game.

Halkett, who is suspended for the trip to Pittodrie after picking up his sixth booking of the season in Sundays 1-1 draw with Dundee United said: “Are we there to be shot at? I think so. You could ask the other clubs, other players, other managers what they feel.

“But obviously that’s us completed the first round of fixtures and I think every team is going to be coming at us and trying to be that team that beats us for the first time this season.