Hearts keeper goes on the offensive to target SPL leaders

CRAIG GORDON can't ignore the notion that Celtic's potent attack is the only reason they currently hold a seven-point lead over Hearts in the SPL.

After First Division Clyde effected the bundling of Gordon Strachan's side from the Scottish Cup on Sunday, the defensive deficiencies at Parkhead have been bared to the world, inadequacies which were noted by Gordon during Hearts' defeat by Celtic on New Year's Day.

Watching the calamitous nature of Clyde's 2-1 triumph only ensured an increase in the goalkeeper's frustration, for in his mind Celtic are a side who have been there for the proverbial taking all season.

"They are a team that you can beat, they aren't invincible. They lose goals the same as anybody else and therefore are there to be shot at," said Gordon.

"They have lost a few goals recently but they've still been managing to win games, albeit not at the weekend. They are excellent in attack, scoring quite a few goals and that has been pulling them out of a few holes of late.

"If you can defend well against Celtic and nick a goal then you can make it very interesting. It just shows, for the rest of the season, that there is something there to fight for and this gap is not insurmountable."

Most non-Old Firm sides facing the intimidating prospect of overhauling Celtic to the tune of seven points would crumble in terror, but Gordon has yet to sense anything resembling an inferiority complex in the Tynecastle dressing-room.

"Neither should there be," he irks. "We can look at our own position and things we can control. Our aim must be to get the gap down week by week. I'm sure Celtic will slip up, as we will too before the end of the season.

"We aren't going to go undefeated till the end of the season and neither are Celtic, so hopefully we can have a few less slip-ups than them and manage to get right on their backs in time to put the pressure on."

Expanding the squad at Tynecastle would almost be considered a pre-requisite for any serious title challenge this season, with Hearts close to confirming the Bosnian winger Mirsad Beslija and Yeovil Town midfielder Lee Johnson as their latest first-team additions.

Gordon, like his team-mates, can only look on in the background as the transfer speculation circus is played out during this month's transfer window. But come the end of January there will be few complaints if Hearts are sitting a handful of players to the good.

"The boys are all waiting to see who the manager and the guys behind the scenes can bring in.

"I don't think it's any secret that we do have quite a thin squad and lack a number of players to come in and fill positions when we do incur injuries and suspensions, which will inevitably start catching up with us at this stage of the season."

Suspensions are, indeed, about to kick in, with Rudi Skacel and Steven Pressley absent for the SPL journey to Kilmarnock on Saturday week and the captain also precluded from the Edinburgh derby on the 28th of the month. Such is life, but Gordon knows Vladimir Romanov is seeking a few helping hands.

"If we could bring in a few new boys to help us through to the end of the season then it could push us on to real success. Players need that because it keeps everyone on their toes and the players in the side become that bit more determined to hang on to their place.

"That can only help the team as a whole so I think we would welcome some new faces."

Taken from the Scotsman