Faith shown by Levein played big part in my success, says Gordon

REFLECTING on a season which has seen him establish himself as Scotland's first- choice goalkeeper, land a bumper new contract and be voted player of the year, Craig Gordon was quick yesterday to pay tribute to the people who have helped him achieve so much so quickly.

Still just 23, the Hearts goalkeeper cites the faith shown in him by Craig Levein as a key factor in his rise to the top. It was the former Tynecastle coach who gave Gordon his break in the top side and who stood by him when he suffered some sticky moments as a fledgling first-teamer.

The keeper believes the confidence shown in him then got him to where he is now, and can help him realise the twin goals remaining in a season which promises to be one of the most rewarding in Hearts' history.

Gordon points to Hearts' UEFA Cup win in Bordeaux in 2002 as the moment his career took off, but admits he feared he might lose his place for the game in France.

"We were playing Falkirk at Tynecastle in the CIS Cup and I didn't do very well that night. I cost us as bad goal, letting one from Russell Latapy go under me. That was only two games before the match in Bordeaux but Craig stuck by me for the next game which was against Livingston. I played quite well that day and managed to keep my place for Bordeaux and that was the biggest turning point in the early part of my career. I did really well across there and was very happy with the result [Hearts won 1-0].

"That was really the kick-start for my career, but it would have been very easy for Craig Levein to have dropped me after the Falkirk game. I was a young goalie coming in for a couple of games and had made a mistake. He had a more experienced keeper in Tepi Moilanen, but he stuck by me and that was a big decision for him and was one of the decisions that helped me get to where I am today."

Where Gordon is today is within touching distance of a place in next season's Champions League and on the cusp of success in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final. The Gorgie side are aiming to end a turbulent campaign with a flourish.

Tomorrow's game against Hibs at Easter Road will see a fourth different coach in charge of Hearts for the fourth league derby of the season, but Gordon says the players have learned to deal with the revolving door policy operated by club owner Vladimir Romanov.

"You almost become immune to it," explains the goalkeeper. "You go in and you do your training [with] whoever's taking it and you play your games.

"The basis of the team hasn't really changed. Different managers have come in, but it's been pretty much the same team that has been playing on a regular basis. One or two different guys have come in now and again, but on a whole it's the same side that's been together since the beginning of the season and as a group of players we've gelled together very well and whatever else has happened we've taken it in a our stride.

"Obviously, we've still got a few games to go but we have a chance to really prove ourselves as a group of players by getting a Champions League spot and winning the cup."

Having committed his future to Hearts last month by signing a contract until 2009, Gordon has clearly bought into Romanov's vision, but he admits it looked at one stage as if he wouldn't be staying at Tynecastle, being taken aback by the owner's offer of a new deal.

"I was open to suggestions," he says of his future before Romanov's sudden intervention. "I probably did want to stay at Hearts a bit longer, but for a long period of time it looked that wasn't going to happen. There were a few rumours being bandied about people coming to watch and people being interested. It can get a wee bit unsettling at times, but I've had that all this season and it hasn't seemed to affect me, but it's nice now to get that wee bit of security that the Hearts deal has offered me for the next three years. It's a deal I couldn't really turn down, all things considered."

Gordon says the negotiations with Romanov were swift and decisive.

"He's the decision maker and he decides what's what. He's the main man. I found it OK. He was very honest in what he had to say. He didn't tell any lies, just said what he wanted to do with the club, explained what he had done so far and outlined what he sees the club doing in the future. He wanted me to be a big part of it and it was very easily sorted out in the end."

Gordon's profile has risen considerably this season and his commercial value has grown accordingly. He has been chosen as an ambassador for Hamilton&Inches, the Edinburgh jeweller, and took receipt this week of a Panerai Luminor Marina wristwatch worth a cool £2,650.

Timing is everything for a goalkeeper and Gordon's rapid progress suggests there's little chance of his going awry.

Taken from the Scotsman