CRAIG CAN BE THE BEST EVER SCOTS KEEPER

ALAN MAIN reckons Craig Gordon is already the equal of Andy Goram - and will soon be better than the Scottish goalkeeping hero.

Gretna keeper Main will come face to face with glove rival Gordon at Hampden tomorrow.

At 38, Main has 15 years on the Hearts keeper but he's already impressed with everything the Jambos favourite has achieved.

Gordon was named Player of the Year by Scotland's football writers this season for a string of outstanding displays as his club finished runners-up in the SPL and won through to their first Scottish Cup Final in eight years.

Former Scotland squad keeper Main worked often enough with former Rangers favourite Goram in the international set-up but reckons Gordon will soon be even better than the man nicknamed the Flying Pig.

Main said: "Craig already compares with Andy and could soon turn out to be the best keeper Scotland has produced.

"I trained with Andy and he was an unbelievable talent. He had great hands, terrific agility and could kick a ball for fun.

"If he lacked anything, it was height - but when did it ever cause him a serious problem?

"However, Craig is already producing such mature and consistent performances at an early age and it's unbelievable to see how well he has done. He's Scotland's first choice and still only 23 and his club have made the Champions League qualifiers next season on the back of some of his performances. It speaks volumes for his talent.

"Craig carries himself with great stature and, naturally, still has age on his side. He has at least 10 years left at the very highest level and you can only imagine the number of caps he will go on to win.

"England have terrific young keepers such as Paul Robinson emerging and it's great Scotland has a big talent of our own in Craig."

Main is full of respect for the man who will be out to thwart James Grady and Kenny Deuchar at the National Stadium but he will not be full of awe when he looks across at his opponents.

The former Dundee United star, a losing finalist in 1991, is a huge admirer of everything Hearts have achieved this season but knows his team will be doomed if they stand on ceremony.

He added: "We deserve to be in this but Hearts are a different kettle of fish to any side we've played until this point.

"They are the second best team in the country, full of international-class players and have an amazing amount of experience in their ranks.

"We must ensure we play as well as we possibly can and hope we get a rub of the green to win.

"More than anything, we've got to enjoy the occasion because no one expected us to get here in the first place.

"It's a moment to savour, especially for senior players such as myself as I know this is likely to be my last major final. I'll be cheered on at Hampden by my wife and kids, my mum, brothers and their families and I'll be proud to say I was part of it."

Main hasn't had a bevvy in six months and watches what he eats and still looks as skinny and fresh as he did when he joined United from Elgin two decades ago.

He has enjoyed a sterling career at clubs such as St Johnstone and Livingston but still has ambitions to achieve beyond a Scottish Cup Final win.

He said: "I still train as hard as I can and I'm also coach to the other keepers at the club. I want to make sure they see I'm still giving my all because it's important for any player not to lose his competitive edge. I've set my sights on making it to the SPL with Gretna before deciding whether or not to hang up my gloves.

"It would be great for the club to think we would be on the verge of achieving it by this stage next season but it will be a different challenge for us in the First Division.

"Most clubs there are full-time and they will approach games with different tactics than we were used to in the Second Division.

"More than anything we've got to find consistency because we know we won't win as many matches next time out. However, we can certainly still be challengers."

Taken from the Daily Record