Hearts midfielder Peter Haring admits he is honoured that manager Craig Levein has already initiated fresh contract talks, even though he is in no rush to commit his long-term future to the club.
The Austrian is poised to make his comeback from a double hernia operation in today’s visit of St Mirren and will aspire to recapture that form that made him a favourite among the supporters and Levein during the first half of the campaign.
Despite initially being recruited as a defender from SV Ried on a two-year contract last summer, Haring has been a stand-out in the middle of the park, scoring six goals.
The 25-year-old has not been short of plaudits although Haring still acknowledges that it is a compliment that Hearts are eager to extend his stay just seven months into his career at Tynecastle.
Haring said: “The manager has talked to me about a new deal a couple of times but I still have one-and-a-half years left, so I am taking it easy. There’s no hurry.
“I told him it’s an honour for me that the club wants to extend it after I have just been here for a matter of months in Scotland. But, as I said, there’s no hurry.
“I didn’t really know what to expect before I moved here but all I can say is I am really enjoying the chance to be here and play football, it’s just a fantastic place for me and all of the players.
“It’s a massive club with good fans, it’s just a really good place to be a footballer.”
Haring’s immediate focus is on regaining his place in the side after the pain of his troublesome groin finally became too much during the December 29 victory at Hibernian – the playmaker being replaced after 54 minutes.
Some eight weeks on, the Eisenstadt-born player is eager to pick up where he left off.
He added: “I’m good, everything went well and I’m happy to be back.
“It’s definitely good to be back without any pain and issues, it was quite a long time that I had to deal with my groin problems and it feels even better now.
“I dealt with it but it was up and down; sometimes good, sometimes worse.
“That’s in the past, now I’m healthy and glad to be back.
“It’s the gaffer’s decision if I play but I’m feeling well.
“I did training with the team and reserves last week and have done all the training sessions this week. If the gaffer decides to pick me I’ll be ready.”
