Hearts No.1 happy to take on Galacticos

CRAIG GORDON is ready to welcome Champions League giants Real Madrid to Murrayfield next month - then knock them spinning out of Europe.

The Scotland goalkeeper concedes that the Spanish side, who can count Robinho, Ronaldo and David Beckham amongst their squad, are a team he would rather avoid should Hearts make the Champions League's third qualifying round, but he doesn't see them as an insurmountable hurdle. "I wouldn't fancy Real Madrid too much, but they're beatable," said the 23-year-old. "We've seen them take a few hidings in cup competitions in Spain away from home, so if we can pack Murrayfield then who knows?

"We know the Spanish giants are in there and we could draw them, but we have aspirations to make the group stages. I'd be happy to play against anybody, and if we get a big team I believe we might fill Murrayfield. We are capable of pulling that sort of fan base. These games will possibly be some of the biggest in Hearts' history and a full house would be a massive advantage. It would certainly mean the best atmosphere I've ever played in."

Hearts will meet either Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Siroki Brijeg in the second qualifying round, and progress to the third will see them unseeded and guaranteed to meet one of Europe's toughest sides. "The Champions League is a step up for us, but we have to approach the second qualifying round professionally and make sure we get through it.

"Rangers qualified for the last 16 last year and we finished above them in the league, so I don't see why we can't do the same. Anything is possible, especially if we get some new faces in."

Taken from the Scotsman