GORDON DOUBLE PLEDGE

CRAIG GORDON last night promised Hearts fans the class of 2006 won't blow the double like the team of 1986 did.

The Tynecastle goalkeeper believes the current side will end 20 years of hurt by clinching a place in the Champions League and lifting the Tennent's Scottish Cup next month.

Hearts infamously lost the title on the last day of the 1985-86 league season and were crushed by Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup Final a week later.

But two decades on Gordon is adamant that this time there will be a happy ending.

He said: "What happened in 1986 will be in the memory of most Hearts fans aged 27 and upwards.

"I am too young to remember it but being from a Hearts family I've heard all about it.

"I'm sure a lot of those players found it very hard to get over and that team is remembered to this day for that.

"Now this team would like to give the club and fans some good memories.

"We want to be known as the team that got to the Champions League and won the Scottish Cup in the same season."

Gordon believes Hearts will face a real test of their credentials when they take on Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow with Tony Mowbray's team still smarting after the recent Scottish Cup semi-final demolition.

Hearts hammered Hibs 4-0 and the Scotland No.1believes their rivals will be hell-bent on revenge.

Gordon said: "Hibs will have a real go at us after what happened at Hampden. They can help their own European situation if they can beat us.

"And if Rangers won the Old Firm game that would close the gap between us and them to two points.

"Of course, if we win and Rangers lose it will be eight points. It could be a pivotal weekend.

"But we are playing well and hopefully we will put on a performance like we did at Hampden. Every point can probably be counted in millions - that's what they mean to the club.

"These games are possibly the most important we've ever had.

"If we have to go to Ibrox and win we feel we can do that but it would be nice to have second place secured as soon as possible.

"However, if it takes a lastminute goal at Ibrox that wouldn't bother us either."

Taken from the Daily Record