Latest news with #CraigGordon
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Gordon celebrates Testimonial against Sunderland
Sunderland will visit Tynecastle in July as goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, celebrates his Testimonial after 11 years of service with Heart of Midlothian FC. The North-East of England combine have recently reclaimed their slot in the Premiership and testimonial bosses are confident this fixture will prove popular with fans. The date for your diary is July 26 and Gordon said: 'It is a great honour to be granted a testimonial game with the club that I grew up supporting.' The 42-year-old has played for Hearts on more than 300 occasions over two spells. Gordon is also Scotland's fourth-most capped player, holding 81 caps, and he added: 'I've played at the highest level and represented my country, but what fills me with pride the most is pulling on that Hearts jersey and walking out in front of our fans.' The 6ft 4in stopper, who started his career with Currie Boys, played 88 games for Sunderland, who bought him for £9m, then a British transfer record fee for a goalkeeper, and he played for The Black Cats from 2007 to 20012. He said: 'I enjoyed some great times at The Stadium of Light and they hold a special place in my heart.' PICTURE: Craig Gordon at the opening of Hearts' hotel. Courtesy of Heart of Midlothian FC Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
'I took my time' - Hearts secure out-of-contract star on new deal amid Derek McInnes factor
New boss convinces key man to stay at Tynecastle Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Craig Gordon has put pen to paper on a Hearts contract extension after signing up to be part of the Derek McInnes revolution at Tynecastle next season. The 42-year-old Scotland goalkeeper has put retirement on hold for at least another year after agreeing a new 12-month deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2026. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gordon played 46 times for Hearts this season, becoming the club's record European appearance holder in the process, after displacing Zander Clark from the number one position following a lengthy lay-off with a double-leg break suffered against Dundee United on Christmas Eve 2022. To date, he has pulled on a Hearts jersey 330 times across two spells and earned over 100 clean sheets. Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has signed a new one-year contract extension. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group He also made six appearances for Scotland during the campaign to take his cap tally to 81 and move up to fourth in the roll of honour behind Kenny Dalglish, Jim Leighton and Andy Robertson. He was not named in Steve Clarke's squad for the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Leichtenstein due to a nerve injury which saw him miss the last three matches of the Premiership season. New Hearts boss McInnes made securing the veteran shotstopper one of his top priorities following his appointment earlier this week. The arrival of the former Kilmarnock gaffer has helped convince Gordon to sign up for another season in maroon. 'It's a huge honour to continue playing with this great club," Gordon, who turns 43 in December, told the Hearts website. 'Ever since I walked in the door of the old main stand in 1999 it's all I have wanted to do. I feel fortunate to still have the opportunity to do that for another year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I took my time to come to this decision, I wanted to make sure it was right. I'm looking forward to the new season, determined to make it better than the last. To be part of the new era under Derek McInnes and the new management team, I'm ready to do all I can to help get this team back to where we want to be. Another season, another chance to achieve. I'm looking forward to it.' McInnes is also hoping to retain the services of club captain Lawrence Shankland with the Hearts striker also out of contract this summer and able to leave on a free transfer.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Craig Gordon delivers Derek McInnes Hearts verdict and has words for 'incredible' Sunderland fans
Craig Gordon believes the appointment of Derek McInnes will see Hearts return to their roots. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes Derek McInnes' appointment as the new head coach at Tynecastle can help the club rediscover their identity after a challenging 2024/25 campaign. Ending the season in the bottom six, a difficult start to the season saw head coach Steven Naismith sacked by the club in September. His replacement Neil Critchley lasted just six months in the post though, after being dismissed following a 1-0 home defeat to Dundee in April, leading to the appointment of the experienced former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss McInnes last month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gordon, 42, will enter his 20th year as a professional next season after putting pen to paper on a one year extension at Hearts last month, and is hopeful that McInnes will take the club back to its roots and mount a challenge for a European place in the season ahead. Derek McInnes can bring the identity back to Hearts, says veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon. | SNS Group 'I think it's a really good appointment,' said Gordon. 'Exactly what we need. From playing against his teams over the years, it's always a very difficult match, and I think that's exactly what the Hearts fans want us to be as well. I'm looking forward to it, I can't wait for pre-season to begin. We have an awful lot to look forward to. New manager, new players. 'He's [McInnes] been quite public with what he wants, and how he wants Hearts to be, and what he sees his Hearts team looking like. Getting back to being more aggressive, more physical. It's what Hearts fans want to see as well. For us to go out and give absolutely everything for the jersey. That's what him and his coaching staff will instil in the player's going forward. It's what the Hearts fans want to see - and above all, we want to be successful.' On Friday, the club confirmed Gordon will be honoured at Tynecastle with a special testimonial game against his former club Sunderland on July 26, with Hearts supporters likely to be given a glimpse of what to expect from McInnes' team in the season ahead, alongside an opportunity to celebrate the career of their treasured goalkeeper. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gordon spent five seasons at the Stadium of Light having joined Sunderland for a British record transfer fee of £9million upon their promotion to the English Premier League back in 2007. A club he still holds affection for, the 81-cap Scotland international was delighted to see his former team promoted back to the top flight of English football last month following their 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the EFL Championship play-off final at Wembley, and believes the visiting fans will make for a great atmosphere when they arrive in the capital for his testimonial. Hearts to Sunderland, 2007/08 'The away fans from Sunderland are just incredible,' said Gordon. 'They'll probably come here and pack out the whole stand. They're loud! A fantastic bunch, I fully enjoyed my time at Sunderland. I'm delighted they're back in the Premier League. It has been a huge battle for them to get there, it's taken a while. But for everybody, and there's a still a few of the coaching staff from my time there. So great for everybody there to be a Premier League club again. 'I was still a very young goalkeeper when I signed for Sunderland. Possibly too young to make that jump. The first couple of years, we were probably scrapping to stay in the league and establish ourselves. The work ethic, the never-say-die attitude he [Roy Keane] instilled, there was so many late goals. The togetherness of the group drove us through those difficult moments, which eventually got us enough points to stay in the league. 'Five years in the Premier League, we were never relegated, and had a few seasons around the middle of the league - we could have perhaps done even better. We had some good teams, and good players. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Craig Gordon delivers Derek McInnes Hearts verdict and has words for 'incredible' Sunderland fans
Craig Gordon believes the appointment of Derek McInnes will see Hearts return to their roots. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes Derek McInnes' appointment as the new head coach at Tynecastle can help the club rediscover their identity after a challenging 2024/25 campaign. Ending the season in the bottom six, a difficult start to the season saw head coach Steven Naismith sacked by the club in September. His replacement Neil Critchley lasted just six months in the post though, after being dismissed following a 1-0 home defeat to Dundee in April, leading to the appointment of the experienced former Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss McInnes last month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gordon, 42, will enter his 20th year as a professional next season after putting pen to paper on a one year extension at Hearts last month, and is hopeful that McInnes will take the club back to its roots and mount a challenge for a European place in the season ahead. Derek McInnes can bring the identity back to Hearts, says veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon. | SNS Group 'I think it's a really good appointment,' said Gordon. 'Exactly what we need. From playing against his teams over the years, it's always a very difficult match, and I think that's exactly what the Hearts fans want us to be as well. I'm looking forward to it, I can't wait for pre-season to begin. We have an awful lot to look forward to. New manager, new players. 'He's [McInnes] been quite public with what he wants, and how he wants Hearts to be, and what he sees his Hearts team looking like. Getting back to being more aggressive, more physical. It's what Hearts fans want to see as well. For us to go out and give absolutely everything for the jersey. That's what him and his coaching staff will instil in the player's going forward. It's what the Hearts fans want to see - and above all, we want to be successful.' On Friday, the club confirmed Gordon will be honoured at Tynecastle with a special testimonial game against his former club Sunderland on July 26, with Hearts supporters likely to be given a glimpse of what to expect from McInnes' team in the season ahead, alongside an opportunity to celebrate the career of their treasured goalkeeper. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gordon spent five seasons at the Stadium of Light having joined Sunderland for a British record transfer fee of £9million upon their promotion to the English Premier League back in 2007. A club he still holds affection for, the 81-cap Scotland international was delighted to see his former team promoted back to the top flight of English football last month following their 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the EFL Championship play-off final at Wembley, and believes the visiting fans will make for a great atmosphere when they arrive in the capital for his testimonial. Hearts to Sunderland, 2007/08 'The away fans from Sunderland are just incredible,' said Gordon. 'They'll probably come here and pack out the whole stand. They're loud! A fantastic bunch, I fully enjoyed my time at Sunderland. I'm delighted they're back in the Premier League. It has been a huge battle for them to get there, it's taken a while. But for everybody, and there's a still a few of the coaching staff from my time there. So great for everybody there to be a Premier League club again. 'I was still a very young goalkeeper when I signed for Sunderland. Possibly too young to make that jump. The first couple of years, we were probably scrapping to stay in the league and establish ourselves. The work ethic, the never-say-die attitude he [Roy Keane] instilled, there was so many late goals. The togetherness of the group drove us through those difficult moments, which eventually got us enough points to stay in the league. 'Five years in the Premier League, we were never relegated, and had a few seasons around the middle of the league - we could have perhaps done even better. We had some good teams, and good players. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts icon Craig Gordon addresses Scotland future with 27-year record on the horizon
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is ready to write another chapter in his storied career announcing his testimonial at Tynecastle. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Walking through the door of the Hearts dressing room, a number of his most memorable jerseys hanging on display, the imposing figure of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon gives a knowing smile and admits 'fairytales don't happen very often in football'. Donning a crisp white T-shirt with the date of his testimonial imprinted on his left chest, the iconic stopper is gearing up for another campaign in maroon having recently signed a one-year contract extension with the club, and will celebrate his astonishing Hearts career by welcoming former club Sunderland for a pre-season friendly on July 26. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A career which seemingly has no expiry date, his 43rd birthday is just around the corner, yet it would surprise no one if he lined up for Scotland at next summer's World Cup should they qualify. His career already one to be admired, there's a confidence about Gordon that knows he has, at least, one more chapter to write. Craig Gordon's £9million move to Sunderland broke a British transfer record in 2007. | Getty Images Hearts and Sunderland are two clubs who have played a pivotal role in Gordon's story. He won the first trophy of his career when his penalty shootout save from Gretna's Derek Townsley helped the Jambos lift the Scottish Cup in 2006. Named the SFWA's Player of the Year in the same year, he was the youngest player to be inducted into the club's Hall Of Fame at the age of 24 just a year later. His Gorgie success paved the way for a move to the English Premier League. Gordon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of British football when he completed a £9million transfer to Sunderland in the summer of 2007. He was brought to the Stadium of Light by Roy Keane, who had lit a fire under the Wearsiders in the previous campaign, taking them from the bottom of the EFL Championship all the way to the Premier League in little under eight months. One of the best young goalkeepers in the country, Gordon's arrival was a signal of intent from the Black Cats, evidence that they were back amongst the big boys. Beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 with a dramatic late goal on his Premier League debut, his start to life in the English top flight couldn't have gone much better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It was packed out,' recalls Gordon. 'It was rocking that day. They'd just been promoted, I had missed the build-up and was chucked in just a few days before, but we won the game deservedly. To nick it late on in the first excitement and the buzz of the whole ground. Even outside, coming in on the bus, I remember thinking 'wow, this is a huge club'. That is why I'm delighted they are back in the Premier League now. I wish them all the best for the season.' A regular for Sunderland in his debut campaign, the team avoided relegation with two games to spare. However, three months into the following season, a debilitating spell with injuries started to derail his time at the Stadium of Light. Originally sidelined with a knee problem, Keane had already resigned by the time Gordon was fit enough to return. Battling his way back into the starting XI under new manager Steve Bruce, a broken arm suffered in a collision with Jermain Defoe in a 2-0 defeat at Spurs put him out for three months. Injury followed injury, restricting him to just one appearance in the final year of his contract on Wearside. Before he knew it, his time at Sunderland was over. Released in 2012, the toughest period of his long and storied career ensued. Without a club for over two years, Gordon admits he wondered if his professional career had already come to a shuddering end, as he contemplated quitting the game for good at the age of just 29. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Craig Gordon thought he'd said his Scotland goodbye in last June's pre-Euro 2024 friendly with Finland at Hampden Park. | Getty Images 'When I left Sunderland, probably for the first year, I thought I wouldn't play again,' says Gordon. 'I wasn't particularly trying to get back. I thought my career was more than likely over, until I got into the second year. Through time, it started to repair and got a little bit better. That second year, as that went on, I thought maybe I could try this again. 'I started the rehab process again, gave it 100% and thought 'let's see as many specialists as I can, get as many opinions and I'll make the decision' - I gave it one last shot for another year. If that was the last year, then so be it, but I would have known I gave it everything to have one last shot. Luckily I managed to turn the corner - and I am still going now.' Eventually finding his way back to the professional game, Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 where he stayed for six years, winning five Scottish Premiership titles, five Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups in the process, before sealing an emotional return to Hearts in the summer of 2020. A regular in the starting XI, Gordon won more silverware with Hearts as they won the Scottish Championship at a canter, returning to the top flight at the first time of asking. Named the SFWA Footballer of the Year once again the following season, he continued to defy critics by making his long awaited return to the Scotland squad under Steve Clarke. Coined 'Scotland's Peter Pan' by former Celtic teammate Callum McGregor, his vital penalty save in the 2-0 win World Cup qualifying win against Moldova in November 2021 was proof that Gordon was far from done at international level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It feels like I've had two separate careers,' smiles Gordon. 'They've both been about as long as each other. I've gotten more out of the game than I thought I would. It's just the way it's kind of panned out for me. It felt like a bonus when I first got back playing in Scotland, like time I was never going to get again. But as time has gone on, I've been able to play many, many more games back at international level. It's been two separate journeys, but two very enjoyable ones.' A consistent theme throughout the 42-year-old's career, Gordon continues to upset the odds in 2025. Left out of the Scotland squad for the European Championship in Germany last summer, his late appearance as a substitute in a pre-tournament friendly against Finland felt like a final farewell, with Gordon confessing he himself thought his international career had finally ended as waved goodbye to the sold out Hampden Park crowd when leaving the field following the 2-2 draw. Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has signed a new one-year contract extension. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group Just four months later, he was included in the Scotland starting XI for the clash with Croatia in October 2024. Keeping his place until the end of the Nations League campaign, Gordon played a further five times for the Tartan Army as they made the Nations League playoffs, meaning he is now a mere ten appearances away from equalling Jim Leighton's record of being the most capped Scotland goalkeeper of all time - a record which has stood for 27 years. 'You never know what's going to happen in football,' admits Gordon. 'I thought that was my farewell appearance, I didn't expect to be back. All I did was refocus on pre-season with Hearts, and be the best I could be for Hearts. That's all I know. Get back to work and try to be the best version of myself that I know. I managed to get back in as the number one for Hearts, and then six more appearances for Scotland after that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm very proud and privileged to have had such a long career. So many highs along the way, making my debut at Hearts, coming through as a youngster. 1999 was the first time I came in here, right through to winning the Scottish Cup, to leaving to go to Sunderland, playing in the Premier League - one of the best league's in the world, to go and test yourself against the best player was fantastic. Then coming back to, first of all, Celtic and then Hearts. Winning trophies along the way, it's been some journey.
