Peter Haring completes first full training session ahead of Hearts friendlies

Peter Haring is enjoying being back in training with Hearts.

The Austrian midfielder Peter Haring has completed his first full training session with Hearts after a 15-month injury absence.

He is now set to contemplate a return to action in forthcoming pre-season friendlies but will not be rushed back into the team.

The 27-year-old came through a full session at Riccarton this morning during his ongoing rehabilitation from hernia surgery.

He last played for Hearts in the Scottish Cup final in May 2019 and is finally nearing a comeback after an arduous spell on the sidelines.

Haring stressed he isn’t pushing himself too hard, although he hopes to take part in some friendly matches before Hearts' competitive campaign starts in October.

“I haven't really thought about that yet. Today was my first full session with the team where I was involved in everything,” explained to the club website. “The gaffer hasn't been speaking to me about that yet. I think the question will be coming soon.

“I think I need to get more sessions on the training pitch into my legs and just get more comfortable with everything before I can see myself in a friendly game or anything like that again. I'm really hopeful I will be in some of them.

“Obviously I'm really happy to be out on the pitch again to do some sessions with the boys and the team. I wouldn't have expected that a few weeks ago but I'm feeling fine.

"I'm not totally [pain] free yet, I still feel a bit in some movements. It's just more getting into the movement and getting used to playing football, really, getting my body used to everything.

“I'm taking it quite easy. I was pushing myself way too much last year so I'm just really taking things day-by-day. So far, everything is improving really good. I'm doing more and more every day and every week. So far, I'm really happy.

“For the last few weeks, I was on the pitch every second day. The other days I was in the gym. This week I'll be on the pitch a little bit more often. We'll just see how things go.

“If everything goes well, we can push further. As I said before, we won't rush things.”

Haring’s morale has improved significantly just from being back in among the first-team squad.

“I definitely feel in a much better place than I was a few months ago or last year,” he continued. “I'm really positive but, as I said before, I still feel a little bit uncomfortable in some movements.

“Everything is not perfect yet but I'm doing more and more every day and every week, and I'm feeling better every day and every week. That just tells me I'm definitely moving in the right direction.

“I was waiting so long just to enjoy football again, even if it's just some passing drills, and just get a few touches on the ball. It's not just me, everyone was off for such a long time that we are all really happy just to be back on the pitch.

“The team has changed quite a bit since my last game. There are a lot of new faces I haven't played with before, even though they were in last season. I haven't been on the pitch with them. I don't really feel like I'm a new signing, I'm just happy to be out there again.”

Robbie Neilson’s return to Hearts for a second spell as manager also helped reassure the midfielder that he can take time to fully regain fitness. Neilson replaced Daniel Stendel in June after the Edinburgh club were controversially relegated to the Championship.

Neilson’s primary task is to secure promotion back to the Premiership at the first attempt this season. Getting Haring fit and playing once again would be a significant boost to those ambitions.

“Once he was in charge, he phoned me quite early and was talking to me to see how I feel. He obviously knew I had another surgery done and he is really easy with me,” explained Haring.

"He understands the situation really well. He is obviously in touch with the physios and he is talking to me quite a lot. He told me had some experience with surgeries and injuries. He knows it's really tough.

"It was a really tough time for me – a long, tough time – so he is very understanding. He doesn't push me or rush me. He is taking it easy. I think he trusts me and all the physios.”

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