100th consecutive appearance

The 22-year-old goalkeeper has gained prominence with both club and country and will be a key figure as George Burley's side aim to open up an 11-point gap on the defending champions with victory at Tynecastle. Gordon's consistency of performance has been matched by a determination to add his name to the Gorgie outfit's record-holders.

He rejected the opportunity to be rested for Hearts' two CIS Insurance Cup ties this season to ensure he edged closer to Henry Smith's tally of unbroken appearances.

"The manager spoke to me about it and took my views into consideration," said Gordon. "That was very kind of him because he could have just given Steve Banks the two games in the League Cup, but I managed to reason with him.

"It kept my run of consecutive games going and, touch wood, if everything goes well in training then I will be able to play again on Saturday.

"I turned down the chance of a rest because I wanted to get to the 100th game. Henry Smith has the record here with 147, or thereabouts, and I am still well behind that. That will be the next milestone to aim for.

"It won't be easy because of injuries, and maybe a suspension will come along, but that's what I have got to aim to do."

That start of Gordon's remarkable run was on October 25, 2003 and he feels rightly satisfied at the impressive progress made since then. He is aware, though, that a goalkeeper's craft is something that improves with experience.

"It was Craig Levein who gave me my chance against Partick Thistle and we won 4-1," said Gordon. "Peter Houston came up to me the day before and told me this was my chance to keep the jersey, and if I did well then I would stay in.

"I've come a long way in that time and I think I have improved a bit. I've got a bit more confident and I'd like to continue with that and progress from here.

"I don't think I am the finished article, I have a long way to go and by playing games consistently – hopefully also in European competition – I'll keep improving."

Hearts suffered their first defeat of the season on Wednesday evening as a weakened side exited the CIS Cup at the hands of Livingston. Gordon agreed with Burley's assertion that it had emphasised the lack of depth within their squad and believes the result acted as a reality check amid the growing expectations. He does not, though, feel there will be a negative reaction against Alex McLeish's side.

"It was disappointing but our main aim now is the league as that's what we'll be judged on," said Gordon. "We had to make a few changes for the game, a lot of them forced, and that shows the strength in depth isn't as good as we would like. I know the manager would like it to be stronger, he's said that on numerous occasions.

"If there was any danger of over-confidence, this will have dealt with it and maybe the result came at a good time ahead of the Rangers game.

"That will be totally different game and, hopefully, a number of the guys who weren't fit to play at Livingston will be back and ready.

"We're going to have setbacks. Every team is going to compete with us and I'm sure it won't be our last defeat of the season, but I have no doubts that we'll be able to bounce back. I'm sure our spirit will go from strength to strength and this defeat will not affect it at all."

Taken from the Herald