Gordon won over by Romanov's vision for future at Tynecastle
ALAN PATTULLO

CRAIG Gordon considers his own decision to sign a new contract with Hearts is proof the club is being built for success rather than tearing itself apart.

The highly-rated goalkeeper signed a two-year extension to his current deal on Sunday after hastily-arranged talks with Vladimir Romanov.

The Hearts major shareholder demanded that negotiations begin the day after having sacked Graham Rix, the club's third head coach in a year. There seems no doubt that Romanov was concerned about the mood of the fans at a critical juncture of the season and so regarded the retention of arguably the jewel in the Tynecastle crown as paramount. Gordon is now contracted to the club until the age of 26, although even this may not see him play his peak years with Hearts.

"I can maybe have 10-12 years left of my career after that," he said, with Italian and English clubs already monitoring his excellent progress.

Gordon admitted to having been frustrated that re-signing talks took so long to be initiated but when they were he was assured of Romanov's ambitions for the future, and his desire to secure the club's biggest talents. He wouldn't comment on whether the new deal includes a guarantee that he can move on should a suitable offer be received by Hearts.

"Mr Romanov was serious about keeping me," said Gordon, although he had a few questions of his own to ask the Lithuanian-based businessman.

"It's no secret what he said to me, since he's said it to everyone," said Gordon. "He wants to keep a core of Scottish players and add quality foreign players. There are not too many whose contracts are up at the end of this season and with a few additions I think we can go from strength to strength.

"I think winning trophies and winning leagues is what Mr Romanov is all about," he continued. "He sees me as being part of a team that can achieve that, and I think we will all strive to bring that to the club."

Gordon's decision to stay in the SPL has been hailed by Scotland manager Walter Smith among others.

"I am very pleased for Craig and it's good that young Scottish players are remaining in Scotland," he said at Hampden Park yesterday. "It used to be for many years that good young players, when their contracts would be coming to an end, that they would be certain to leave."

Gordon yesterday signalled how importantly he regards his international career, naming his Scotland prospects as a central reason behind his decision to stay with Hearts rather than follow the likes of Paul Gallacher down south.

The former Dundee United goalkeeper left Tannadice to join Norwich City but has subsequently been presented with only limited chances at Carrow Road, and has since lost his Scotland place to Gordon.

"I talked to Jim Stewart, my goalkeeper coach," said Gordon. "And that was something he brought up. It has been very difficult for Paul. He has not played a lot of football. When you move away from your family things are not always as easy as they could be, and then to still be playing to the top of your ability and hold down a first-team place is difficult."

Gordon can now concentrate on this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs in the knowledge that his future is secure. He actually took part when Hearts last made it to the Scottish Cup final when only a 15-year-old schoolboy. He was a Hearts fan, but experienced a bitter-sweet day despite the Tynecastle side winning 2-1 against Rangers in 1998.

"It was just before I joined the Hearts staff and I took part in the penalty shoot-out at half-time, and we got hammered," he revealed.

"I watched the rest of the game from the stand but I missed both the [Hearts] goals. The first one was so quick we were still underneath the stadium and the second one was just after half-time when we were still getting changed again. I saw all the celebrations but I didn't see any of the goals until I got home and watched them on the telly."
Team-mate tells Skacel to forget diving

CRAIG Gordon yesterday called on striker Rudi Skacel to forget the theatrics and concentrate on what he does best - putting the ball in the opposition's net, writes Alan Pattullo.

"On top form there are not may players in the SPL to match him," said the keeper.

"It's always difficult if you make such an impact; you find players want to stop you any way they can. Rudi has to accept it. It's a compliment."

Skacel angered Falkirk players on Saturday by going down easily. "I am sure everything will die down and he can get on with what he is good at," said Gordon. "I don't think he dives as much as has been said he does. It's a pre-conception that foreign players dive about the place. British players do it too."

Gordon added that Skacel may get some advice from his more senior team-mates before Sunday's cup semi-final against Hibernian.

Roman Bednar was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation in the box against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup and Gordon applauded referee Craig Thomson for not being taken in by his colleague.

Taken from the Scotsman