Gordon knew he'd thrive in shoot-out

CRAIG GORDON today revealed he was confident Hearts would be crowned Scottish Cup winners when Saturday's match went to penalties, because he has only ever lost one shoot-out in his life.

With nothing to separate the two sides after 120 minutes of football the match was decided from the spot and, while everyone around him was losing their nerve, he held his together to make a vital block from Derek Townsley, sending Hearts on their way to a famous 4-2 victory.

Gordon said: "Penalty shoot-outs are always nerve-wracking, but I've only ever lost one in my life and that includes at boys clubs and coming through the ranks, so I was still fairly confident that I could pull off a save or two.

"I had a bit of information about a couple of their penalty takers and fortunately that worked for me. They managed to score from the rebound for the equaliser in normal time; maybe I got too much of a good hand on to the initial shot.

"I knew a bit about James Grady's penalties because I have seen him take them in the Premier League before and he does like to hit with power either side of the middle. He did manage to beat me, but I knew it would be pretty straight.

"I usually do a bit of research beforehand and go into most games knowing who their penalty-taker is and where they have put their last few."

Gordon conceded that Hearts had fallen short of the standards they have set themselves this season, but was delighted to get his hands on the cup at last.

"I don't think anyone was 100 per cent - we were off the pace all over the park, but I was still confident in my own ability all the way through the game," he added.

"Gretna had their chances and I don't think anyone would have argued if they had won at the end of the day, but we've got a great spirit in the dressing room and all the lads were desperate to win this cup. It doesn't matter how you get there - we took the trophy back to Tynecastle and that's all that matters really."

Gordon and his team-mates paraded the trophy through the streets of Edinburgh yesterday before taking it back to the stadium for a lap of honour in front of around 10,000 supporters,

The keeper added: "We put the supporters through the mill to say the least. We had them on the edge of their seats when it probably should have been a lot easier, so this was for them."

Taken from the Scotsman