GORDON ALL SET TO ESCAPE THE AXE

HEARTS are ready to calm Craig Gordon's fears and play him against Rangers on Sunday.

The Scotland keeper was concerned for his position after the goings-on of last Monday when Steven Pressley missed out on the Tynecastle club's SPL game at Falkirk.

Stopper Pressley had uncovered a plot to oust him as captain after one of owner Vladimir Romanov's inner circle tried to get the eastern Europeans at the club to turn on the dressing-room leader.

Pressley walked out of the team hotel in disgust before the 1-1 draw at Westfield.

Gordon was concerned for his place in Sunday's crunch clash as he had appeared with Pressley to issue a vote of no-confidence in Romanov last month.

Midfielder Paul Hartley, who also backed his skipper at that press conference, was dropped to the bench against the Bairns and the keeper feared he was next for the axe.

However, he will play in Sunday's game despite deputy Steve Banks having recovered from injury.

Pressley will make himself available for selection against his former club.

His inclusion in the team is still in doubt, although more will be revealed today when interpreter Alex Koslovski addresses the media at Riccarton.

An uneasy truce has broken out in the Jambos dressing room in the last 48 hours but the situation remains confused.

Hearts even passed up the chance to have the Falkirk game re-scheduled after letting three players go on international duty.

Under FIFA rules they could have requested a postponement after Takis Fyssas, Mauricio Pinilla and Jose Goncalves headed off to play for their countries in friendlies.

An SPL spokesman said: "If a club has three or more players on international duty they can ask the SPL board to have the fixture postponed."

Taken from the Daily Record