Ex-Hearts keeper Craig Gordon living in fear of Hibs victory.. and Garry O'Connor streak

May 17 2012 By Scott McDermott

THE thought of Hibs winning the Scottish Cup – or the sight of Garry O’Connor running starkers down Princes Street.

It’s difficult to know what Craig Gordon fears more – because the diehard Hearts fan and Scotland keeper is desperate not to witness either on Saturday.

Gordon will be at Hampden to offer expert analysis on the all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup Final in the TV studio. But the 29-year-old will find it difficult to hide his allegiance and hopes and prays Paulo Sergio’s men lift the trophy.

Gordon got his hands on it in 2006 when Hearts defeated Gretna and he’d love the Gorgie side to heap more misery on their bitter city rivals.

He knows all the Hearts songs about Hibs’ failure to win it in 110 years – and he’ll be gutted if the Hibees faithful are gloating on Saturday night.

As for friend O’Connor’s promise of getting naked on Princes Street should they win, that just doesn’t bare thinking about.

Gordon said: “Garry has said he’ll streak if Hibs win the Cup. That fills me with dread just as much as them actually lifting the trophy. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight. In fact, I wouldn’t like to see either of those things.

“Hearts fans mock Hibs because of their history in the Cup. It’s a source of great enjoyment for the Hearts fans.

“If it were to go the other way on Saturday, it would put an end to that. If Hibs win I’m sure there would be a few songs coming our way. After all, they’ve waited long enough to experience it.

“If Hibs do it, they’ll want to get their own back for the next 100 years.

“This isn’t just any old Edinburgh derby. There hasn’t been a Scottish Cup Final between the two in living memory, so it’s absolutely massive for the city.

“The bragging rights are there for whichever club wants them most.

“Whatever city you’re in, a derby match is the biggest game in your season. You can’t compare it to other derbies because there are different elements to it.

“I’ve experienced the Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland, which is massive. Those fans would say theirs is the biggest. But wherever you are, it’s the biggest to both sets of fans.

“I’d rather be playing. I’d love to be out there. It will be more nerve-racking in the studio because there’s nothing I can do to influence it.

“It will be worse watching than playing. I’m very jealous of the players out there trying to get a victory for their team in what will be the biggest Edinburgh derby ever.”

Gordon will never forget the scenes that followed Hearts’ last Scottish Cup success – when they won a penalty shootout to defeat Gretna.

At that point he was convinced the club would go on to win more silverware but that hasn’t materialised. That’s why he’s delighted he soaked up the open-top bus celebrations in 2006 and still rates that day as the highlight of his career so far.

Gordon said: “We nearly passed up a great opportunity to win the Cup that day. No one thought we’d win it on penalties – we were expected to do it a lot more comfortably.

“But the main thing was to win it. It was a great night and, not having done it since 1998, it was a great feeling to go back to Gorgie and through the streets.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of us and especially good for me having grown up supporting Hearts.

“Two things about winning it stick in my mind – going round Hampden doing a lap of honour straight after winning and coming down Princes Street, seeing it filled with maroon and white.

“It really was quite something to see the streets full of people. The fans who were there wouldn’t truly appreciate the view from the top of that bus.

“It was very special to be up there. The bus tour is a nice added extra. You want to win the game and get a medal but it’s the tour that left me with a lot of good memories.

“There’s a feeling of euphoria and the people are so happy. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve contributed something towards that.

“That would probably be the top highlight in my career. Winning the Scottish Cup with my boyhood heroes – it would take an awful lot to top that.

“At the time I thought Hearts had a good team and we could go on and do a bit better than has been the case.

“I was excited for the future and I thought we could have gone on and savoured that a few more times.

“I’m just glad I managed to do it – and it’s something I will cherish.

“That 2006 team hasn’t been back together since but we’re not too far away from the 10 years and we might try to get something organised.”

Gordon still keeps in touch with current Hearts No.1 Jamie MacDonald and he has tipped the keeper to bounce back from last weekend’s 5-0 defeat at Celtic Park to shut out Hibs.

He said: “I don’t think what happened at Celtic will be a problem for Jamie. Hearts had a weakened team out and I’m sure it’s not an issue.

“Jamie has great experience from playing in the 2008 Cup Final – and not many can say that.

“He got a runners-up medal with Queen of the South against Rangers and he’s also put in some great performances at Hampden, including the semi-final this season. He can go there knowing Hampden is a ground where he’s played well in the past.”

Taken from the Daily Record