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Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Gordon looking forward to ‘special' Testimonial game
Craig Gordon celebrates his Testimonial at Heart of Midlothian FC with a match against newly-promoted Sunderland on Saturday, July 26 (3pm), but he stressed that his career is not over yet. The evergreen goalkeeper, who has played in over 200 games for his boyhood heroes, and more than 80 occasions for the Scotland national team, has just signed a one-year extension with the Gorgie club. The 42-year-old club legend said: 'It has been an incredible career when you pause to look back at it, but I do not want to pause and look back at it as is not over yet, the things I have managed to achieve coming through at Hearts. 'To even get in the first team and be part of it, and move on to play in the Premier League down south it has been a dream. There has been some hard work at times, especially with injuries. 'To be able to do that and still be here and still have another year at Hearts and to have this testimonial is a fantastic thing for my whole family because they are all Jambos. It will be pretty special.' His biggest thrill remains pulling on a Hearts jersey and taking the field for the club and the 6ft 4in hot-stop added: 'Playing for Hearts and playing for Scotland, that was the two things I wanted to do. 'It is brilliant for me, brilliant for my family and I can't wait for Sunderland to come here and have that match.' The club's Scottish Cup win has been the standout moment for Gordon and he added: 'There are a number of Derby matches which have been good and for Hearts to win in the Cup semi-final twice against Hibs has also been memorable, so there are some good moments in there.' Sunderland were a natural choice for the testimonial match, said the goalkeeper and he said: 'I was there five years and playing in that league before such a passionate group of fans. 'I am looking forward to seeing their fans up here. I am delighted they (Sunderland) are back in the Premier League as its been a long time coming. I sat in my living room cheering them on in the play-off final and I was absolutely delighted for them to get there. 'It is a huge club, they deserve to be in the Premier League and I can't wait for the game. I have had a look at some of their pre-season friendly matches and they have a good group (of them). 'Hopefully, we can keep them out and it is going to be a great game, a big test for us as well to have Premier League players come up and we'll see what standard they are. 'Hopefully, we give them a good game and get them ready for the Premier League.' Tickets for the testimonial are now on sale at and supporters can keep up-to-date with all of the latest information on the testimonial at SMILE PLEASE: Craig Gordon poses for some of the media who were at Tynecastle. Picture Nigel Duncan Craig Gordon with two of the Testimonial committee, Gareth Hall and Jake Evans. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
New artifical pitch for Livingston
Livingston aim to have their new artificial playing surface at the Set Far Arena ready in time for the new season which starts in mid-July with the Premier Sports Cup. The new surface is the latest generation of MX Elite, a high-tech woven system offering what the club call 'the very best performance characteristics for professional football'. It is the same used by a number of other teams at all levels in the Scottish Professional Football League. A spokesman said: 'We're hopeful that this will be completed and ready ahead of the Premier Sports Cup group stage matches which start in mid-July.' Livingston have been drawn in Group H alongside Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers. Meanwhile, Livingston FC have what they call 'exciting job opportunities' for dedicated candidates to work as part of their boys and girls academies. See their website for details. PICTURE: the current surface at Livingston. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
03-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Liaison group to monitor blasting at Lothians quarry
Concerned residents will form part of a liaison group which is being set-up to monitor blasting at a busy quarry on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This follows decisions by the City of Edinburgh Council to approve an extension to Ravelrig Quarry near Balerno. City councillors also voted to allow the operators to increase the blasting level, despite objections from local residents who are worried about the long-term impact, and an agreement of by the quarrying company, Tarmac, that no increase in blasting levels is necessary for continued operation. Tarmac plan to start mining quarrying rock under a parcel of land to the south of the current site and Edinburgh councillors argued that material from the quarry was vital to help solve the city's current housing crisis. Tarmac say that the quarry, which was opened in 1984, has almost exhausted the rock in its current location, and they told the city council's Development Management Committee that mining would have to stop 'within a couple of years' if permission was not granted. Balerno Community Council (BCC) will also be represented on the liaison group and Richard Henderson, chair of BCC, said that the group would aim to establish a shared understanding of key planning conditions, protect the well-being of the local community and ensure that any development proceeds in a fair, transparent and accountable manner. He also said that BCC recognise the importance of Ravelrig Quarry both locally and nationally and confirmed that they have been working closely with Tarmac and local residents over the past three years. Henderson added: 'We know that Tarmac have made a big investment in developing the monitoring processes which are helping minimise the impact of the quarry activities. 'We are very grateful for that, and we are also now working with Tarmac to develop a Good Neighbour Agreement in relation to future operation of the site.' As part of that process, a web-based system is to be developed to provide more public information on each blast. Henderson added that the city council will attend any liaison group meetings if asked to do so and said: 'The liaison group will be able to assist in the continuing work directed at further minimising any remaining nuisance.' Last month, Tarmac advised the city council that blasting operations, including in the extension, could continue to operate within the levels which applied until 30 April. QUARRY SITE: general view of Ravelrig near Balerno. Picture by Nigel Duncan CLOSE UP VIEW: Ravelrig Quarry taken from the main gate. Picture Nigel Duncan Like this: Like Related
