Christophe Berra is targeting Hearts’ showdown against Rangers in a fortnight for his long-awaited comeback, it has been confirmed.
Tynecastle manager Craig Levein has revealed that skipper Berra has returned to training three months ahead of schedule and is hoping to make his return against Steven Gerrard’s side on 2 December.
The 33-year-old defender has been sidelined since tearing a hamstring against Celtic in August.
Manager Craig Levein said, as quoted by the Express: “Christophe joined in with the warm-up and passing today. This is his first day joining in.
“His view was that he might be ready by the Rangers game. If he trains fine then we’ve got a fortnight. If he trains constantly during that time, I don’t think he will be 100 per cent but he won’t be far away.
“He is back in training today because he’s ready to go back to training. If he does two weeks, I think he will be ready for a match.”
OPINION
There’s no doubting what a difference Berra makes to the Hearts side. He might be well into his 30s but he’s a proven performer who is master and commander of the Jam Tarts’ backline. The former Ipswich Town and Wolves defender began the season in excellent fettle as he continued to show that age has not dimmed his powers in his second spell at Tynecastle. His positioning, awareness and understanding of the centre-back role make him one of the key men in the team of Levein, which has stuttered in recent weeks as injuries bite following a brilliant start to the campaign in which they stood proudly at the SPL summit. Hearts remain in second and have the same points as leaders Celtic, albeit having played a game more, but Rangers are third, just two points behind and closing in fast. That 2 December showdown at Tynecastle could prove decisive in the Glasgow giants pulling clear of the rest of the pack, and Berra’s return might be one of Levein’s best chances of halting that.