Craig raid should bekeypriorityfor new Hearts boss

HEARTS’ launch of their half-season ticket deal might entice a few Craig Levein boycotters back to Tynecastle.

But when it comes to getting the fans truly back on board there can be no half measures.

Two weeks on from Levein’s firing and with the application window closed, the clock is ticking for Ann Budge and the board as they look to name a new boss.

Budge claims there’s no rush but with the transfer window just seven weeks away and Hearts facing a crucial run of fixtures you wonder just how much longer she can delay.

Ask the manager of any top-level team when the planning starts for mid-season recruitment and they will tell you it never stops.

There’s three reasons. Missed targets in August. New priorities due to injuries (and boy do the struggling Jambos know a thing or two about that). And freshening up the squad before the business end of the season.

All that could fall into the lap of the new sporting director. But, again – just when do the club plan on appointing someone to that role?

Steven Naismith’s return to the frontline might have spectacularly bust the home hoodoo which has threatened to thrust the club right into the relegation mire.

But this is no one-man salvage operation. And the new head of Hearts’ recruitment will be keen to bring in his own men.

That’s where one man above all others should be a priority for whoever takes over the hotseat. Craig Gordon. There aren’t many former £9million record transfer international stars warming the bench in Scottish football right now. And while Gordon’s best bits are in the past, the big keeper still has what it takes to perform at the top level. The Celtic star ticks all the boxes for the Jambos.

Contract up next summer? Check. A fans’ favourite? Check. An improvement on what they have? Check.

That may be harsh on Joel Pereira but the Manchester United man has hardly set the heather on fire since swapping Old Trafford for Gorgie. A permanent deal for Gordon would be a big step up on taking a loanee from Man United.

Pereira has kept just two clean sheets in 11 appearances. Gordon, despite his lack of game time, has conceded just two goals in five appearances for the Hoops this season.

During his time at Celts Gordon has proved he is a man for the big

Old boy Gordon has shown that he is the man for a big occasion

occasion. Unbeaten against Rangers, twice qualifying for the Champions League group stage, 11 winners’ medals.

When it comes to looking after himself there are few better.

He appears every bit as fit now as when he left Tynecastle for that record-breaking move to Sunderland 12 years ago.

Gordon’s presence behind the Hearts defence would not only bolster the vulnerable back door, it would be a winner with supporters.

They say you should never go back in football but in Gordon’s case it would be an own goal not to even consider it.

And Hearts can ill afford many more of those.

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