WARNING SHOT

FORMER Hearts hero Henry Smith has warned the club it will face the fans' wrath if they attempt to punish keeper Craig Gordon.

New Jambos skipper Gordon will follow axed captain Steven Pressley and midfielder Paul Hartley today when he attends a disciplinary hearing with Tynecastle chiefs.

The Scotland No. 1 will be accompanied by Players' Union representative Fraser Wishart after being summoned to explain why he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Pressley when he read out a statement expressing concern at the running of the club.

Former Jambos and Scotland keeper Smith - who served the club between 1981 and 1996 - does not expect anything so drastic as the Pressley situation to happen to Gordon.

And he knows Gordon being booted out would be too much for fans to stomach.

Smith said: "If Craig goes that would be the last straw for Hearts fans. They can only take so much after watching the club get rid of Elvis and discipline Paul Hartley.

"Supporters are still unsure what is going to happen to Paul but the club have the right to keep it quiet and deal with matters behind closed doors.

"But Craig has recently signed an extension to his Hearts contract until 2008 and he is the club's main asset.

"I think he will just receive a slap on the wrist for what happened that day at Riccarton in October.

"Hopefully that's what he'll get and the owner Vladimir Romanov will know Craig is their main asset now.

"I can't see anything other than a slapped wrist for the big man and I'd be astonished otherwise.

"However, this is Hearts we are talking about and nothing surprises me with regards to the club nowadays."

Smith is not naive enough to think Gordon will stay at Hearts for the rest of his playing days but he does hope he and the Jambos fans are allowed to continue to enjoy watching one of the best keepers in the business for the foreseeable future at the capital club.

Smith said: "Craig has been a top performer for the past few seasons and is an inspiration to the players around him.

"That is why he has become the new captain and he is still learning the game. The foreign management have made Craig skipper because more often than not his form in a match inspires Hearts to go on and win.

"He will not play all his days at Hearts and I think he will get a move to the English Premiership one day.

"He's been watched by a host of Premiership big names and will leave Hearts for a top team. It is just a case of when.

"But his Scotland international position is extremely important to Craig and that is why he is in no hurry to leave Tynecastle."

Smith still does the hospitality rounds on matchdays at Tynecastle. And he readily admits the current situation under the Lithuanian regime in Gorgie has intrigued him as much as hurt him since the controversial figure of Romanov gained control.

Smith's major bugbear is the bizarre team selection policy at the club that brought about the downfall of former bosses George Burley and Graham Rix.

Smith said: "I've been saddened at what is going on at the club. One thing that is really annoying is the team selection.

"There are players who are playing regardless of whether their form is good or not. That maybe upsets a few players and has set a few things off.

"It's up the management to select the team but it does sadden me there are players getting a game but not performing while others are giving 100 per cent and covering for them.

"That's where the problems lie and the fans can see that.

"I've never known a football club or situation like this in my life.

"There is not much more the Hearts fans can do when they have an owner like this. He puts his money into the club and can run it the way he sees fit.

"If he chooses to run it down that would be entirely his choice."

Smith knows his beloved Hearts are in the safest possible hands on the park as long as Gordon is No.1, it's just off the park where he has grave concerns.

Taken from the Daily Record