Kid Gloves is up to the task, says Jambos hero

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS goalkeeping legend Gordon Marshall has backed kid gloves Craig Gordon to pull out the stops in tonight’s UEFA Cup return with Braga.

The 21-year-old made his debut on the European stage 12 months ago in Bordeaux when his superb display helped Craig Levein’s side to a memorable 1-0 win.

He has since established himself as the Tynecastle No.1 with almost 50 consecutive appearances under his belt. Although he is set to face his stiffest examination since that night in France with Braga desperate to claw back the 3-1 deficit from the first leg at Murrayfield, Marshall is confident the youngster is up to the task.

"Craig had a super game in Bordeaux and has been there and done it in Europe," said Marshall, who won the league championship with the Jambos in 1957-58 and 1959-60.

"His confidence will be high and concentration will be important tonight. But while he will have to be on his toes, I am sure he will play well.

"I am delighted that he has done so well. He is now into the Scotland set-up although still has a few raw edges to smooth out."

Seeing Hearts come out of the hat alongside Braga brought memories flooding back for Marshall.

He was between the posts the last time the Jambos faced Portuguese opposition when Benfica shocked Tommy Walker’s side in the preliminary round of the European Cup in 1960.

A 2-1 defeat in Edinburgh followed by a 3-0 loss in the Stadium of Light saw Hearts bow out of the competition with a whimper.

"We played them off the park at Tynecastle and yet they went up the park twice and scored both times," he said. "To be honest I had nothing to do in the game yet still ended up picking the ball out of the back of the net twice.

"We didn’t actually think they were anything great but little did we know then that Benfica would go on and win the cup that season."

As he prepares to cheer on the Jambos tonight, Marshall recalls what an impression Benfica’s stadium made on the players.

He said: "I had never been to a stadium like that before. It was just this huge cavernous bowl. We were below ground in the dressing-rooms and I remember emerging from the darkness into this blinding light.

"It was quite a sight and took our breath away for a wee while. Hopefully the players tonight won’t be too intimidated by their surroundings. I don’t think they will be and I’m quietly optimistic of a good result. Hopefully that’s my head talking and not my heart.

"I know Craig [Levein] has had injury problems and it will be interesting to see what he eventually decides to do but one thing’s for sure, Hearts can’t sit back for 90 minutes. There will be occasions when they take the game to Braga and it’s vital they make the most of them."

Taken from the Scotsman