Zander Clark reveals Craig Gordon has unfinished Hearts business as he insists he's STILL Jambos No.2

Clark insists he's just keeping the jersey warm for the skipper who has one big piece of unfinished business at Tynecastle.

He's only just got his hands on the jersey. But Zander Clark knows Craig Gordon wants it back again, and the big keeper wouldn’t have it any other way.

Clark made his first Hearts start in Perth - all of places - on Wednesday night as Scotland No.1 Gordon recovered at home with his family following the horrific double leg break which many suspected might end his glittering career. But, even though the veteran will turn 40 this weekend, he has already begun plotting the timeline for his return to action.

And stand-in Clark is more than content to keep the place warm for his pal for the time being - while trying to secure Gordon with the chance to smash more records next season. Wednesday night’s 3-2 win sent Hearts into third place in the top flight table and into pole position in the race for a European spot.

And, with Gordon now one tie away from racking up more appearances in Europe than any player in the Tynecastle club’s history, Clark has the perfect ‘get well soon’ gift in mind. “That’s what the big man is like," Clark grinned when it was put to him that Gordon is already planning to make him a benchwarmer again next season.

“He has faced serious injuries before in his career and I’m sure he will have a road map planned out on his recovery. Obviously everyone at the club is fully behind him and offering his support to him. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope he is back soon.

“The big man is one away from breaking that record of European appearances and that’s an added incentive for all of us. Of course, that’s what our aim is, to finish as high up the league as possible. If we can keep churning out wins that will go a long way to achieving that goal.”

It was almost scripted that Clark would take over between the sticks at St Johnstone after his cup winning heroics with the McDiarmid Park club. And that he would head back down the road with three points in his bag having helped to spoil Christmas for his old pals.

He nodded: “It’s weird how football throws these scenarios up. Every day going into training you are training in case that opportunity arises to get in and get a shot.

“I obviously got the 15 or 20 minutes after Craig’s injury the other day but to get a full start, it probably was written in the stars that it would be at McDiarmid Park. It’s a place that I’ve got great memories of and it was nice to get back out and get a great reception from the St Johnstone fans and Hearts fans.

“It was just good to get back out there. I had a few games during the World Cup but to get back into competitive action was pleasing. The circumstances surrounding it are torrid but it’s a chance for me to get back out on the pitch. It’s been five, six months without a competitive game. So it was good to get back out there and good to get the three points.”

And next, on Monday, Clark will be offered a chance to consummate this new relationship by shutting out Hibs in his first ever Edinburgh derby. There’s a glint in his eye at the very thought.

He said: “The games come thick and fast at this time of year, more so with the World Cup. It’s just about getting into training, recovering well, eating well and making sure we are ready to go for the derby on Monday. I’ve had some enjoyable times against Hibs in the past. But I’m obviously playing for a different club and it’s a derby this time.

“They’ll be right up for it, we’ll be right up for it at home. We just need to make sure we get back into training, make sure we recover well and make sure we are ready to go. I’m looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere. If you speak to anyone who has played in Scotland they will say their favourite away ground is Tynecastle.

“It’s close, you can hear every shout. When you are there as an opposing player it is intimidating because of that. Now being a Hearts player it is the flip side where they are right behind you. Hopefully they are in full voice, it was great backing from them in Perth, and they can push us on.”

And Clark is fully aware that Gordon’s injury has also opened up a vacancy at international level, as Scotland prepare for a hectic start to the next European Championship qualification campaign over the coming months. He may be content just to keep Gordon’s place warm. But this is also his chance to come back in from the cold.

He nodded: “Obviously it will be in the back of my mind. If I can go in at club level and do the best I can and it opens up that opportunity for me then that’s great. It’s one of those where I am always focused on the next game and making sure I can go in and do well.

“If that is enough to get me back into squads then that’s great for me. It will be at the back of my mind, that incentive. But mainly for me it is going in and making sure I do well for the club.”

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