I'VE WON A WATCH

CRAIG GORDON was presented with an expensive Panerai watch yesterday.

Which was a pretty apt really, considering this young man is counting down the minutes to the five games that will make or break Hearts' season.

On a personal level, Gordon has had a dream campaign and at 23 he is already Scotland's Footballer of the Year - he picks up the trophy on Sunday - and a fixture in the national team.

He recently signed a contract believed to be the most lucrative in Hearts' history but Gordon insists he didn't extend his stay for the money.

The Champions League was the carrot Hearts were able to dangle in front of him and his decision to remain at Tynecastle before that place is confirmed is testimony to the keeper's confidence in them to deliver it.

In the most individual of all positions, Gordon is very much a team man. He's also a dyed-in-the-wool Jambo and while he doesn't insult the intelligence by insisting he'll stay at Hearts forever, you know he genuinely enjoys going to his work every day.

There's a quiet confidence about him as he sits down to discuss the season that has been and has almost gone. His long, thin fingers are playing with the Panerai - the latest top-of-the-range sports watch - presented to him by Edinburgh jeweller Hamilton and Inches in honour of his Player of the Year success.

The company are in the process of signing Gordon as an ambassador and you can see why. He speaks well, he's relaxed and he isn't likely to hit the front pages as often as the sports section. He laughs when this is put to him.

He said: "My agent George Wright has been compiling a few bits and pieces for me and it is nice to have a bit of a higher profile. I've signed my new deal, I'm playing for Scotland and things are going great.

"It can be difficult coping with becoming more recognised, especially in Edinburgh where most of the people you meet tend to know who you are.

"But that's a lifestyle change. You have to get used to the fact that that's the way it is going to be. It is a bit of a novelty at first but that does wear off and it can be a bit strange at times. It's not that bad. People normally just want to wish you all the best.

"Whenever I get stick I try to laugh it off as friendly rivalry. Occasionally it's not but those occasions are few and far between. On the whole the Hibs fans have been tremendous to me. They have been congratulating me on winning the award, so it is nice to have both sides of the city telling me I've done well.

"It's an award I'll remember with pride no matter where I end up in my career. It's a special honour and it's the first time in a long time a Hearts player has won it."

Gordon is a big fish in a fairly small pond but he has no all-consuming desire to swim out into the ocean just yet. Not when there is a chance of entering uncharted waters with the team to which he already belongs.

He said: "One of the first things in my mind when I signed the new deal was that there was a chance of Champions League football.

"I want to play at the highest level with the team I have supported all my life. It would be great to go in with a group of players I have grown up with.

"I also had to consider my Scotland place. I needed to make sure I was playing every week and maintaining my place.

"There were plenty of things to consider but the Champions League was the main thing. It's a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talents on the biggest stage.

"There are no guarantees in football but Hearts offered me a good contract and first-team football with the possibility of Champions League. That was a package I couldn't turn down.

"Most of the players in that dressing room would give anything to have a bash at the Champions League. A few have been there and we've got one, Edgaras Jankauskas, who has gone all the way and won it.

"But many of the guys, like myself, are desperate to taste it for the first time. To finish this season with the Scottish Cup and a Champions League spot would be a tremendous success."

If they get there Gordon believes Hearts will hold their own.

He added: "We have shown we are a good team and in European competition we have shown we are capable of going away from home and getting results.

"I have played in winning teams against Bordeaux and Basel and we got a draw in Braga. We can go to places and get good results.

"I see no reason why we couldn't continue that in the Champions League - you see Basel getting to the quarter-final of the UEFA Cup this year and were unlucky to go out to Middlesbrough.

"These are top-quality teams and if we get to the Champions League we can definitely hold our own.

"I'm sure there will be a few additions to the squad in the summer and if we get to the Champions League I'm sure that would free up a lot more money to spend on players to help us along the way. The number of players coming in has been incredible - I've just about learned all their names now with four games to go.

"Some, like Jose Goncalves, have been outstanding but the main thing is that we've added depth to the squad.

"You can see how that's helped in the last few games when we have been missing several defenders but are still bringing in experienced players who know the positions."

Hearts have four league games and a Scottish Cup Final that will decide if this incredible season becomes tainted or ends in triumph.

Gordon has no doubts.

He said: "I think we'll be fine. I believe in this team and I know we are looking forward rather than fearing the last four league games."

Then there is the Scottish Cup Final - and having savoured one as a 15-year-old kid back in 1998, he can't wait to be really involved this time.

He said: "I was with Hearts Under-15s when we beat Rangers at Parkhead in the 1998 Final.

"I took part in the penalty shoot-out at half-time - we got hammered!

"The boys had to run from the halfway line and beat the goalie.

"But it was a great experience and when it finished I warmed up the three subs who were on the bench - John Robertson, Jim Hamilton and Grant Murray.

"They were taking shots into me and now eight years on I'll get my own chance to play in a cup final. It will be very special but we have to make sure we are very professional and do the job against Gretna.

"We know it's only a story if Hearts lose and that brings its own pressures. But we have enough expe-rience to cope with that."

Gordon smiles and stands up, looks at his new watch and gets ready to go.

Clearly, it's time up. This young man has somewhere else to go and it is probably to the top of his profession.

Taken from the Daily Record