KEEPER BANKS HAPPY TO TAKE LATE CALL

STAND-IN shotstopper Steve Banks revealed he'd been given just two hours' notice before his first-ever taste of Tynecastle.

The Englishman kept a clean sheet as a Roman Bednar goal thrust Hearts back into third place and on to Rangers' tail.

But he admitted he was amazed to be given the late call that he was getting Craig Gordon's shirt.

Banks said: "Craig missed training early in the week with a groin problem but he trained the last couple of days so I assumed he was fine. Then I got the nod at lunch-time that I'd be playing so I was surprised.

"I think they thought if he played it might make things worse ahead of the Rangers game next week.

"It was my first game at Tynecastle and I'm delighted I've had the chance. I've had a taste at Rangers and Celtic before but to keep a clean sheet in front of our home crowd is tremendous."

Banks (right) revealed heHAS been offered a new deal at Hearts - despite the arrival of Lithuanian keeper Eduardas Kurskis.

His contract expires at the end of the season but he said: "We've spoken and they have made me an offer although it' s only verbal at the moment.

"I've got designs on coaching at some point but have four or five good years left in me as a player.

"I know new keepers are arriving but that's part of the game and it's healthy for competition." First team coach Stevie Frail insisted he hadn't seen the sending-off incident at the death when Andrius Velicka was accused of conning the ref into giving Darren Barr a red card for headbutting.

Frail shrugged: "We'll have a look at the tape. We'll play better than that and lose games but that was down to the way Falkirk played.

"They always make it difficult, not only in the way they work but in the way they pass the ball.

"Every one of their players likes to pass it and we knew it would be tough. We're pleased with the win. It was great to see the three subs combine for the goal - it's good for the gaffer when decisions like that come off.

"Ibrahim Tall played the ball wide for Andrew Driver who got a good cross in and Roman was on the end of it to score."

Taken from the Sunday Mail