Gordon deal a boost for Smith – and Scotland

MARK WILSON March 28 2006

Walter Smith believes Craig Gordon's decision to extend his contract with Hearts is a welcome boost for the status of Scottish football.

The Scotland manager is aware the talents of his first-choice goalkeeper would be coveted in the Premiership, or any of Europe's other elite leagues, but is happy to see him remain at home.

"I think we should be pleased to see that players are deciding to stay in Scotland," said Smith.

"It used to be that they would move to England or abroad but now many are looking to remain in the country. That's positive because we want to see as many good players as possible in our league.

"Usually goalkeepers take time to come to the fore but he's got his Scotland place at the age of 22 and will only get better with age.

"There's absolutely no doubt he could play in the Premiership – he could play anywhere – but he's decided to stay at Hearts. The club is obviously a happy environment for him."

Gordon, who signed a two-year extension which will keep him at Hearts until 2009, said yesterday he hoped his decision would convince other players to follow suit and backed Vladimir Romanov, saying he was convinced the Lithuanian would continue to take the club forward.

"Hopefully with me staying that might encourage a few of the other top players to stay as well. I don't have any control over that but the players who are signed up for next year are good quality. Paul [Hartley] has got a wee bit left and Andy [Webster] another year, but I am hopeful they will get it sorted out as quickly and as efficiently as I did."

The goalkeeper defended team-mate Rudi Skacel after he was accused of gamesmanship by Falkirk players following Hearts' 2-1 win at the weekend.

"I don't think he dives as much as it has been said that he does," Gordon said. "That is something other players tend to say, especially to foreigners.

"It's a preconception that they will come in here and dive about all over the place. That is something that goes on in all games. I'm sure, if you look at a few games over the weekend, there are players going down easily, British players.

"I think it is always going to be difficult when you make such an impact that players are going to want to try and stop you any way they can."

The 23-year-old insisted that Romanov had been an asset to the club, despite sacking George Burley and Graham Rix already this season.

"Vladimir Romanov won't be swayed in where he sees the club going," he said. "He wants to bring in good players and keep the best players at the club. I believe in Mr Romanov's ideas for the club. I believe he will take us forward.

"He has taken us forward in the season he has been in charge. I fully expect us to continue improving. He will continue to help us sign more quality players."

Gordon will be an important figure for Hearts in Sunday's Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final meeting with Hibernian. The outcome of that match will enable Smith to formulate his squad for the Kirin Cup trip to Japan, which clashes with the Scottish Cup final.

Smith said: "The squad that will go will be roughly the same as before but there will obviously be opportunities to look at one or two who have been on the fringes. Once we know who's made it to the cup final and therefore can't make the trip, then we'll be in a position to make up the balance of the squad."

The Russian league fixture calendar could present a problem for Lokomotiv Moscow's Garry O'Connor, while Celtic and Manchester United have testimonial commitments in the week beginning May 7 that Scotland will be in the Far East.

Celtic's Shaun Maloney can expect match action against Japan and Bulgaria, while the uncapped Rangers' pair of Chris Burke and Kris Boyd are also likely to be included.

Smith confirmed that Christian Dailly would take over as captain if Barry Ferguson undergoes his required ankle operation as soon as Rangers' season is complete.

Taken from the Scotsman