CRAIG NO.1 TARGET

VALDAS IVANAUSKAS last night hailed Craig Gordon as one of the best keepers in Europe then admitted Hearts face a battle to keep him.

The Jambos boss revealed that Premiership vultures are already hovering over the keeper he has tagged the Oliver Kahn of Hearts. Martin Ferguson, brother of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, was among a clutch of Premiership scouts who took in Sunday's Edinburgh derby.

And top clubs in Germany have also made informal inquiries about Scotland's No.1.Gordon proved his worth to his club again on Sunday with a stunning injury-time stop to deny Hibs a 3-2 victory.

The 23-year-old signed a two-year extension to his existing deal in March and his valuation is soaring.

It's reckoned he could now be worth up to £8million, although Ivanauskas is publicly refusing to put a price on his head.

He said: "Craig is very, very important to our team. I've played in Germany and know good keepers such as Oliver Kahn bring stability to their sides.

"Bayern Munich have Kahn and we have Craig. He's so experienced and calm and I'm very happy with him. He's one of the best in Europe.

"There are a couple of Premiership teams - and I'm talking big clubs - and clubs in Germany who are interested in him.

"I have my opinions of what he's worth but I'm not saying. Let's just say he'd be very, very expensive.

"But we need Craig and if he's happy in Edinburgh and with Hearts he will hopefully stay here longer."

Ivanauskas suffered a new blow on the injury front.

Hitman Mauricio Pinilla faces a spell out after returning home from Chile duty in plaster.

Taken from the Daily Record