CUP fever has me firmly in its grasp this week and the dominant symptom is nerve-tingling excitement.

I can't remember the last time I looked forward to a game so much.

Today's all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup semi-final has the potential to be one of THE classics of recent times.

The hype surrounding this showdown has been tremendous - and everyone connected with the poor Old Firm must feel like the wee snotty-nosed kid who finds himself the only one left out at five-a-sides.

But the reason I can't wait for kick-off has nothing to do with the fact I take great pleasure in seeing Rangers and Celtic punters in the huff because their teams aren't hogging the limelight for once.

My main interest at Hampden will be the performance of a young keeper I rate as potentially the greatest this country has ever produced.

Hearts shot-stopper Craig Gordon has been a revelation this season and it's no surprise Tynecastle supremo Vladimir Romanov has moved quickly to extinguish the increasing interest in the 23-year-old.

Serie A side Palermo, Arsenal and Rangers have been reportedly hovering around the jewel in Jambos' crown.

But Romanov must have had his sensible head on when he shelled out a massive £2.8million to keep Gordon at Tynecastle for the next three years.

That works out at an incredible £18,000 a WEEK.

But when you consider some of the chancers raking in that kind of dosh at our top clubs then you'll agree Craig deserves every penny.

It hasn't always been plain sailing for the big keeper who was almost booted out of Tynecastle a few years ago after being deemed too SMALL for a goalie.

But a sudden spurt in growth over a short time put paid to that burden and helped the Scotland No.1 rise to prominence.

He hasn't looked back and it was only a matter of time before someone offered the big man a fortune to sign his first "real" contract.

It's well-known in football these days that the first proper deal a player fixes up usually signifies the earning potential he can demand from then on.

Craig can look forward to earning a fortune during his career providing he keeps doing the business and steers clear of injury.

Most players sign their first "real" contract by their early 20s.

The usual progression through the wage structure at full-time clubs involves youngsters initially agreeing to play for two hats and a balloon every week. They also have the prospect of fiddling their expenses to make up a liveable wage.

The club will then decide if the player has the potential to make the first team and his next contract will reflect this.

It will consist of a slightly higher basic wage plus the incentive of more dosh if he makes the top-team breakthrough.

Usually by this time both parties know exactly where they stand.

First team appearances ultimately dictate whether a kid has the potential to earn big bucks or if it's time to be kicked into touch.

Luckily for Gordon the form he has consistently produced for club and

country over the past few years means he is heading for the big time.

I must admit I have often wondered what it would be like to look forward to being rewarded with a bumper pay packet. Don't get me wrong - I am delighted a fellow keeper has that kind of earning potential.

But when I look back at my career I can't help feeling a wee bit envious at some of the dough being dished out these days.

I'll never forget my first "real" contract as it bought me a spanking new sports car that turned out to be my pride and joy.

Jim Leishman was my Dunfermline gaffer at the time and subsidised my lucrative deal. I will always be indebted to him.

The big man took me into his office at East End Park one day and offered me a whopping £50-a-week rise with the potential of an extra £100 if I played in the first team.

That knocked my weekly pay up to a staggering £125 - and enabled me to put a deposit on one of those wee kid-on sporty Fiestas that came complete with a dodgy body kit and hairdryer for an engine!

Ach well, I never agreed with the saying if you pay peanuts you'll get a monkey.

Throw me a banana and

'Gordon has been revelation at hearts'

Taken from the Sunday Mail