CRAIG GORDON last night claimed he would like to stay with Hearts but the club want him out before the transfer window closes.

Scotland's No.1 was not injured and could have played against Rangers.

The keeper and team-mate Paul Hartley were offered the option of going to Saturday's game or staying at home.

The midfielder was absent but Gordon went to Ibrox out of a sense of duty. He said:"I'm still captain and I felt my place was in the dressing room before the match.

"I'm not entirely sure what's going on but it looks as if Hearts would prefer it if I left but I don't want to go.

"If there's an offer for me that I couldn't turn down that's fine. If not I want to stay where I am."

Hearts fans, who should be getting used to the unusual methods of club owner Vladimir Romanov by now, were shocked to find their team facing Rangers - their main rivals in the race for a Champions League qualifying place - minus Gordon and Hartley.

But not as shocked as the keeper himself. He said: "It would be fair to say I was surprised to be left out of the squad for the game at Ibrox.

"I want to play for Hearts and that's all I'm thinking about, I'm not thinking about transfers."

Fulham have had one bid of £2.5million rejected for the keeper but there's speculation Gordon doesn't see the London club being a good career move when they already have Antti Niemi.

Last night he said: "If another offer has come in from Fulham then I'll consider it but I'm doing just now but getting ready to play for Hearts."

Hartley's agent, Mark Donaghy, confirmed there had been no movement for the player over the weekend despite suggestions he was on the verge of joining Rangers for £1m.

Record Sport understands Light Blues' boss Walter Smith doesn't have the midfielder marked down as his first priority while he chases other targets.

That would change if the Rangers manager's preferred options failed to materialise but it's well wide of the mark to say a deal is as good as done for Hartley to move to Ibrox.

Taken from the Daily Record