Craig tips Roddy as a contender

HEARTS star Craig Gordon reckons he could soon have competition for a place in the Scotland set-up from former Tynecastle team-mate Roddy McKenzie.

The 21-year-old shot-stopper is regarded as one of the country’s top goalkeeping prospects and was on stand-by for last week’s friendly international against Wales in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Although Rab Douglas, Paul Gallacher and Neil Alexander are all above him in the international pecking order, it seems just a matter of time before the youngster is promoted to the senior squad. It is a scenario which clearly excites the level-headed Gordon but not one he will lose too much sleep over as he tries to keep his focus on maintaining his form at club level.

He turned in another excellent display in the Jambos’ 3-1 win over Dundee United on Saturday, a result which sees Hearts take on Livingston tonight at Almondvale knowing that a win over the Lions will carry them nine points clear of nearest rivals Dunfermline in the race for Europe.

Gordon will be returning to the scene of his debut for Hearts - he played in the 1-1 draw in October 2002 - and he is looking forward to locking horns with former Gorgie star McKenzie, who has also been earning rave reviews for his own performances between the sticks for the West Lothian outfit after quitting Tynecastle last summer.

"It will be good to play against Roddy again. I faced him at Tynecastle earlier this season and we came out on top so no doubt he’ll be looking to get his own back this time," said Gordon. "He has had a great season so far and is playing really well. I am delighted for him and if he manages to hold down a first-team place and keeps up his level of performance, he could be another name in the frame for Scotland.

"There are not many Scottish goalkeepers who are playing regular first-team football at the moment and it would be fantastic for him if it was to happen.

"I certainly think he could be in with a shout.

"As for myself I didn’t think too much about being on stand-by last week. It was very flattering and if the Scotland thing happens for me, then it happens.

"It would brilliant if it did but it’s not something I’ll worry about at the moment as I am only 21 years old. There is plenty of time for that to come around but first I have to ensure I am holding down my first-team place at Tynecastle and doing well for Hearts."

That is something he has certainly been doing since ousting Finnish ace Tepi Moilanen from the first team back in October when he was given his chance against Partick Thistle at Firhill.

He hasn’t looked back since, with an outstanding display in France against Bordeaux in the UEFA Cup the highlight of his season.

But although Gordon’s appearance against Dundee United at the weekend was his 21st consecutive outing for the top team, the youngster still does not regard himself as an automatic choice.

"I still consider myself as the No.2 at the club," he said. "I have to prove myself with every game I play and that is how I approach each week.

"So far I have managed to hold down my place in the team but the onus is on me to keep producing the kind of performances which will allow the boss to continue selecting me. I am just concentrating on playing to the best of my ability in every game."

The win over the Tangerines combined with Dunfermline’s defeat at Aberdeen has given Hearts a great opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and the rest of the chasing pack this evening. And with a visit to East End Park looming this weekend, Gordon knows these two matches could prove pivotal in the quest for UEFA Cup qualification.

"It was pleasing to take three points on Saturday and Dunfermline losing obviously helped our cause," he said.

"It is important for us to create a gap now and the aim has to be to keep Dunfermline behind us. There is talk of us trying to catch Rangers but I think the main objective is to maintain a decent gap between us and Dunfermline between now and the end of the season.

"The Livingston game now takes on massive importance for us and nine points would be a nice cushion to take to Dunfermline. However, winning at Almondvale tonight will not be easy as Livingston have been playing well since going into administration.

"We had a chance earlier in the season to open up a similar gap but lost to United at Tannadice. Dunfermline then came right back into it and went above us for a spell so that shows how quickly things can change. We have opened up a bit of gap at the moment and we have to try to make sure we are not drawn back into the pack again.

"We are not out of sight by any means and these next two games are vitally important."

Taken from the Scotsman