GORDON'S THE BEST

HEARTS assistant boss John McGlynn reckons Craig Gordon could be worth up to £35million on the transfer market.

Clubs throughout Europe a re homing in on the Tynecastle keeper after a string of stunning displays for Hearts and Scotland.

On Sunday he produced yet another wonder save in the 2-2 Edinburgh derby draw with Hibs in front of a host of scouts from top Premiership clubs and continental outfits.

And although McGlynn refused to put a precise value on the 23-year-old, he believes Gordon is up there with the best in the business.

The world's most expensive goalkeeper is Gianluigi Buffon, who cost Juventus £33m in 2001.

And McGlynn said: "I'm not going to say how exactly much I think Craig is worth but he is the best keeper I've ever worked with.

"He's as good as the best in the world and given his age, he definitely has the potential to be the world No.1."

Gordon who, unlike the Italian, managed to keep a clean sheet against France, is five years Buffon's junior, so he obviously has the potential to be worth even more.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are tracking the progress of the Scotland keeper, who is contraced to Hearts until 2009.

And McGlynn realises that could push any transfer value into the stratosphere.

He added: "The world's leading goalkeepers tend to be in their mid to late-20s but Craig is only 23 so any club wanting to buy him would have to reflect that potential in their offer.

"He's got the international experience and the possibility of playing for at least 10 years at the highest level, so you can be certain someone would have to pay over the odds to take him away from Tynecastle.

"He also signed a new contract with the club earlier this year and personally I'd love to see him remain at the club for a couple more years to continue his development and keep us in games.

"There's a lack of top-notch goalkeeper's in European football at the moment but Craig is already world class and has unlimited potential."

Hearts defender Jose Goncalves came through unscathed after playing 65 minutes for the reserves in the 3-1 defeat to Dundee United last night - the Portuguese star's first return to competitive action after six months on the sidelines because of injury.

Taken from the Daily Record