ROB SHOULD BE SKIPPER AHEAD OF ME

HEARTS keeper Craig Gordon insists his decision to reject the captain's armband at St Mirren on Saturday wasn't a show of support for Steven Pressley.

The Scotland No.1 refused to skipper the side after Paul Hartley's dismissal in the 2-2 draw because he felt Robbie Neilson deserved the job.

Pressley was suspended indefinitely 48 hours before the game following his fall-out with club bosses.

Gordon famously stood shoulder to shoulder with Pressley in October when he effectively passed a vote of no confidence in owner Vladimir Romanov's running of the club.

It was suggested Gordon was displaying his support for his absent team-mate by snubbing the offer to take over the captaincy.

However, the keeper felt Neilson, who celebrated his 200th appearance for the Gorgie outfit recently and is in his testimonial year, was more deserving of the honour.

Gordon said: "There is no way that I would refuse the captaincy.

"It had not been decided before the game that I was the vice-captain.

"In previous seasons if the captain or vice-captain wasn't playing then Robbie has got the armband. For example, he was captain in the 1-1 draw at Dunfermline last month.

"I felt it was about showing him respect and just doing the right thing. That is why I said to Paul to give it to Robbie.

"Robbie's also played more games than me and with that I just felt he was owed respect in that situation.

"However, I'd have taken the armband if I'd known for one second it would provoke this kind of reaction.

"I love the club and it would have been an honour for me to be captain but I thought it should go to Robbie.

"I never thought my actions would be taken the way they have been."

Taken from the Daily Record