IF ENGLAND WIN THE WORLD CUP I MIGHT ASK MR ROMANOV TO PUNT BANKSIE!

HEARTS keeper Craig Gordon is following the lead of Walter Smith and backing Italy in the World Cup finals.

The Scotland No.1 admits he wouldn't be able to bear watching England triumph in Germany.

Gordon insists the rivalry with our next-door neighbours should be taken as a bit of fun.

But he has threatened to call Vladimir Romanov and plead for his deputy, Englishman Steve Banks, to be transferred immediately if Sven Goran Eriksson's triumph.

Twenty-three-year-old Gordon was the first high-profile Scot to announce he wouldn't be backing England when he appeared on Sky Sports' Soccer AM show two months ago.

First Minister Jack McConnell grabbed headlines by saying he wouldn't be supporting David Beckham and Co either, then Scots boss Smith revealed it's Italy for him.

Gordon said: "I couldn't stand it if England won the World Cup again.

"Actually, I don't think they'll win it anyway as there are better teams in the competition.

"England have some individually gifted players and their midfield is very strong but I fancy the winners to come from Brazil, Argentina or Italy.

"Honestly, I'm really not that bad and the rivalry is always friendly, especially with English lads at the club such as Lee Johnson and Chris Hackett.

"If they won I wouldn't grudge them it too much because they weren't allowed to live down the fact we beat England's rugby team in the Calcutta Cup earlier this year.

"Mind you my assistant, Steve Banks, was even winding me up about the Commonwealth Games medal table because they won more medals than Scotland.

"He was even cheering on the swimmers before a team meeting one day.

"If England do win it, perhaps I could have a word with Mr Romanov and get him moved on.

"However, the team I fancy to win and the team I'll be supporting is Italy. They're a decent outside bet and if they do win they're sure to be giving away free food at the restaurant at the bottom of my road."

Gordon was speaking at the opening of the new Matalan store in Slateford Road in the capital, where he teamed up with first-team coach John McGlynn.

Soon he'll head off on holiday with a Scottish Cup medal in the bag and a Champions League qualifier to anticipate at the end of July.

Despite all the upheaval of the last 10 months, on the field and off it, Gordon revealed he would go through it all again.

He added: "Definitely, it has been a great season. It was very special, very exciting and the memories will live with me for a long, long time.

"Ultimately, we were successful and we would have taken second place in the league and winning the Scottish Cup at the start, even when we were eight games undefeated under George Burley.

"The highlight for me was the spirit we showed in the dressing room to roll up our sleeves and get on with the job in hand, no matter what was happening.

"There was a lot being said and written about players, owners and coaches but we concentrated on getting on with the job at hand.

"Our main aim was always to play football, just play football, and we're glad it worked out well.

"We've set standards now and given ourselves a great platform on which to build in the new season. Hopefully we can strengthen still further over the summer as we look towards the Champions League."

Gordon signed a new, three-year deal towards the end of a season that was personally very satisfying. Not only did he underline his reputation as the best young keeper in Britain, he also cemented his place as first choice for the national team.

He said: "In my first season in the team every game gave me such a high and I was happy to deal with each one as it came along.

"The second season was a wee bit more difficult as people came to expect certain standards from me every week.

"Now I've just completed my third season and feel really settled in the position.

"I'm also beginning to put my personality across much more often in the dressing room."

Gordon has also backed the calls from team-mates such as skipper Steven Pressley and midfielder Paul Hartley, for Valdas Ivanauskas to be given a run as Hearts boss.

The Lithuanian coach will have discussions with Romanov early next week and Gordon reckons he should be given the green light to continue the job he started in March when he replaced Graham Rix.

Gordon said: "I hope Valdas is still at the club in the new season in whatever role Mr Romanov sees fit.

"He did really well in the closing stages to come in and steady the ship.

"He proved in a very short period of time that he has the ability to be a very successful manager.

"He has the respect of all the players, who firmly believe that he has done fantastically well.

"He has put a lot of good ideas across in training and if he's the manager next year the Hearts squad will be happy because we've responded to him and his methods.

"No matter what happens, I'm sure we'll be back in time for the new season an even stronger and better side.

"We're confident we can produce the same kind of football next season that brought us success last time around."

Taken from the Daily Record