Craig Gordon gives Hearts pre Rangers boost as Steven Naismith prepares for stunning goalkeeper return
The Scotland international could be a surprise name on the team sheet at Tynecastle.
Craig Gordon is in line for a stunning return to the Hearts squad against Rangers on Wednesday almost a year on from the double leg break many feared would end his career.
The 40-year-old shot-stopper has proved his fitness to boss Steven Naismith after a year of gruelling rehab to overcome the horror Christmas Eve injury at Tannadice. Naismith insists the Scotland keeper is back to his best in training - and is driven on by the thought of forcing his way into Steve Clarke ’s squad for Euro 2024. Gordon could now take his place on the bench tomorrow, in place of Michael McGovern, which will ramp up the pressure at club and country level on Jambos’ number one Zander Clark.
And he could joined in the squad to face Rangers by fellow long-term crock Craig Halkett while mid-term absentees Barrie McKay and Nat Atkinson are also available again for Hearts.
Naismith said: “The boys that have been longer term are now at the point where we are comfortable enough to have them in squads.
“There are decisions like this every week. It’ll be highlighted it’s Craigy at the moment because he’s just coming back from injury. He’s a legend at the club, he’s got the Euros to go for but that’s not going to cloud any decision I make. I make the decision I think is best for us as a group."
Asked if the 74-times capped keeper was pulling off his trademark saves since returning to full training last month, Naismith said: “Yeah. I would say so and I’m comfortable saying that because of that last three week period. In all honesty this injury has probably been an ‘easy’ one for him to come back compared to his previous longer term ones.
“One, because of what of the injury is but secondly, he’s got the carrot dangling that he was in the national team before he got injured. For the last three weeks we’ve watched it in training. The level of goalkeeping here is top, it’s really good. It’s because we have three experienced goalies who are internationalists and who have got a calmness and good ability.
“Craigy is getting back to exactly where he was before. That for me doesn’t mean he gets back in the team. Zander has had a good period when Craig has come out and done really well. He’s earned some Scotland caps and is in a great spell as well.”
While Gordon and Halkett could return to the matchday squad, tomorrow’s game comes too early for Liam Boyce who hobbled out of Saturday’s win over Kilmarnock, and Cammy Devlin.
Naismith said: “It’s too soon for Boycey and Cammy. Their injuries are better than expected but tomorrow comes to quick and it’s too high risk. There’s a chance they could make the Aberdeen game.
“The others are all in contention. Whether that’s Wednesday or next week over the next month there will definitely be change in the squad because of the number of games, injuries but on top of that who we feel is most valuable for each game. We are in a good place overall.”