GORDON'S A JAMBO TILL 2009

SCOTLAND keeper Craig Gordon handed Hearts a massive boost last night when he signed a new deal with the club.

Gordon, 23, has penned a three-year contract to keep him at Tynecastle until summer, 2009.

The Jambos No.1 was out of contract at the end of next season and Premiership big guns Everton and Arsenal had been eyeing him.

Gordon and agent George Wright met with Vladimir Romanov at Tynecastle yesterday and thrashed out the terms that will make the keeper the highest earner at the club, eclipsing the £10,000 a week currently enjoyed by striker Edgaras Jankauskas.

It is a stunning piece of business by Romanov and a PR coup ahead of this weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs.

It also helps stem the negative publicity that has flowed out of Tynecastle since the dismissal of Graham Rix and Jim Duffy last week. Romanov wants Gordon to continue as a cornerstone of the side in the coming seasons as he bids to build on the on-field success of his first year in charge.

It also further underlines the ambitions of Romanov, who is determined Hearts will join the Old Firm as powers of the Scottish game no matter the cost.

A Hearts spokesman said: "This is fantastic news for everyone associated with Hearts.

"Again it shows the intention of the club to retain its best players and attract further top signings to Tynecastle.

"It's quite clear Craig is an instrumental part of our squad and, as such, this is an excellent day for all Hearts fans."

Taken from the Daily Record