Craig Gordon hopes Derek McInnes can recreate Burleyball as Hearts veteran reveals what players are really thinking

Daily Record

11 hours ago

New Tynecastle boss has already name checked Burley's Jambos and Gordon reckons that side felt like they would win every time
Craig Gordon hopes Derek McInnes can bring Burley-ball back to Gorgie and have Hearts feeling invincible again.
The veteran goalkeeper was a key man in George Burley's side that stormed clear at the top of the table after an eight-game winning run to start the 2005-06 season.
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But the manager was controversially sacked by madcap owner Vladimir Romanov after 10 games and while still unbeaten.
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McInnes was appointed as Hearts new manager last month and admitted playing for Dundee United against the power of Burley's team 20 years ago 'hit you between the eyes pretty quickly'.
And Gordon hopes he can recreate that in the new season. He said: 'Absolutely. I can't wait if he can because that was an unbelievable team to play in. The power of that team, the speed that they played at.
'If we can get anywhere near that in terms of intensity from our team, then I think the fans will really buy into that and we'll have a very good season. It'll be a real difficult place for anybody to come.
'At Celtic during the Invincible season I felt that we'd line up and we just knew we were going to win the matches. I think that George Burley team was similar.
'Everybody trusted each other and we knew that we had quality all over the pitch. It was just a matter of time before we'd score goals. I think everybody knew their role really well.
'If we can get back to that and be an intimidating team here, especially with a crowd on our side, it's going to be a really good season.'
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Hearts missed out on a top six finish last season after a loss of form under Neil Critchley saw the goals dry up and the tempo disappear from their game.
Backed by Tony Bloom's investment, the Jambos have already added Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek wide man Alexandros Kyziridis and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee.
And asked if he expected a drastic change of style under McInnes, Gordon said: 'They're bringing in some new players as well, so I think it's something that he's looking to try and implement.
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'It's up to the players to do what the manager wants them to do.
I"'ve already spoken to all the players on the phone, it does feel like everybody's getting quite excited about getting back to start again.
'That's the feeling that can really drive the team on and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve this year.'
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Meanwhile, Gordon admits he thought last season would be his last after Hearts' horror start to the campaign.
The Jambos went 11 games without a win in all competitions - a run that saw Steven Naismith sacked - and Gordon admits he questioned his own future.
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He said: 'During the European run, when there were so many games in the first part of the season, it was hard for everybody.
'Results weren't going particularly well.
'It wasn't a great place to be when things are not going well. So, yes, there were points where I thought that would probably be the last season.
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'It wouldn't have been a good way to go out. I think as the season progressed, I started to feel a bit better.
'I think there's a lot more positive signs going into this season now with everything that's happening, new players that are coming in, new management teams.
'So, yes, I think there's a lot to look forward to.'