Steven Naismith has Hearts plan for Craig Gordon amid Zander Clark dilemma for looming Rangers cup clash

Gordon has started every cup game so far for the Jambos but Clark has been the first choice in the league prior to the victory over Livingston last Saturday.

Steven Naismith has a Hearts goalkeeping plan in place which saw Craig Gordon reinstated to the starting XI at the weekend.

Gordon made his first Premiership start of the season in the Jambos' 4-2 win over Livingston, having only featured in Scottish Cup games since his comeback from a horror double leg break. He was caught out of position for the Lions' opener but the hosts roared back to score four before the break and confirm European football next season.

Now Naismith has a decision to make ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final showdown against Rangers at Hampden. Gordon has started every round of the cup run so far, although Clark has been first choice on league business. Naismith insists both know the score and there will likely be another conversation in the coming days. But he has no fears over the veteran showing rustiness, especially with another 90 minutes under his belt.

“The coaches had a discussion about it and trying to plan last week and this week, and what that would look like," he told the Edinburgh Evening News. "We felt it was the right decision and as always, I am very honest with the players and comfortable to have those conversations. Zander understands the situation and why it was done. Craig is happy to get more game time so everybody is on the same page with it.

"I don't think there's any concern for me that there is a rustiness because there's not, I watch him every day and his training has been excellent. Training has been excellent and the games he's played in, he's been back to the level I think he is at. It was more about banking more minutes going into the semi-final more than anything else.”