WE MIGHT NOT WIN SPL BUT AT LEAST WE'LL BE AT RACES

BIG Craig Gordon told everyone last week after Scotland beat Italy that he cuts the sleeves off his keeper shirts because his arms are too long.

Well, let me tell you a wee secret - his pockets are even longer.

The Hearts squad enjoyed a terrific day at Musselburgh races on Monday, arranged a few weeks ago by George Burley.

Not only did the manager organise a great day out, he also let the boys in on a red-hot tip in the last race.

Of course, he refused to reveal his source but there were more than a few of the boys happy when King After romped home in the 5.20 at 9-1.

The backing wasn't heavy but Paul Hartley, Jamie McAllister and Craig, among others, made a few quid - and my big Scotland pal got the best price at 14-1.

Paul and Jamie were quick to make a contribution from their winnings which helped make a significant dent in the bill from the restaurant where we gathered for a meal later in the evening.

It's amazing how Craig's arms can stretch so impressively to make those crosses during a game but fail to reach the bottom of his pockets.

We're still waiting for his contribution and that shoebox under his bed must be bulging by now. I didn't go near the betting ring after the first two races when the £12 allowance handed to me by my missus that morning had been spent.

To be honest, I'm not a gambler but I'll offer short odds that days out such as Monday's will go a long way to building on the team spirit we enjoy at the club.

All the foreign lads turned out and it was great to get to know each other even better over a few races before we moved on for a meal and a couple of drinks.

It was the first time the international lads, for example, had spent significant time in the company of Ibrahim Tall and Samuel Almeida Camazzola because we were away on duty with our countries when they joined the club.

Their grasp of English isn't great yet but they were there and making a tremendous effort to get to know their team-mates and that is a big part of growing as a squad.

Ourcamaraderie is hopefully evident on the park and while it is inevitable there will besome disappointing results, hopefully the bond we form can carry us through any difficult times.

Undoubtedly, the confidence is growing at the club and there's a real determination and sense of optimism, with another good victory to our credit at the weekend.

As I reflect on our 4-1 defeat of Livingston the thing that pleased me most was the palpable sense of disappointment felt when we walked in at half-time.

We were leading 3-1 and had played some of our best football of the season in the opening35minutes but we were still unhappy at conceding a goal and that reflects on the standards we've set to date.

The manager has raised the bar and it's to the credit of the players they have accepted the challenge and improved their own game.

It's still early in the season and I'll continue to stress that point until we've done enough to earn the tag of serious title contenders.

When will that be?Well, if it gets to late January and we're still there or thereabouts, I'll possibly start talking about winning the title.

But until then it's still far too early to discuss in depth - and that's straight from the horse's mouth

Taken from the Daily Record