Gordon best in his class, says Smith
HEARTS legend Henry Smith insists Craig Gordon pips Joe Hart to the crown of the best goalkeeper in Scotland.
The pair will be at opposite ends of the park tomorrow when the Gorgie side travel to Celtic and Smith insists there is one clear winner when it comes to who the most influential shot-stopper in the country is.
Gordon seems to be getting better with age amid another outstanding season at club and international level and was named the Scottish Football Writers’ Association player of the year earlier this week.
The 39-year-old has amassed a total of 20 clean sheets and produced a string of world-class saves this season as Hearts confirmed third place in the league and set up a Scottish Cup final against Rangers.
And former Hearts goalkeeper Smith, who played for the club between 1981 and 1996, believes there is no-one better at keeping the ball out of the net domestically.
Smith said: “In the last couple of years I think he has been absolutely outstanding. What he puts into the game he’s getting the benefits of now. He is the best in Scotland, that goes with Joe Hart as well, I think he is a better keeper than Hart.
“He makes saves that win you games and keeps his team in the game. He inspires confidence throughout the rest of the team to go and win these games when they have been under pressure. That’s what a good goalkeeper does.
“He’s worth 10, 15 points a season to Hearts, that’s why they’ve finished third this year and I’m over the moon for the guy. Craig has been doing that since he’s come back from his injuries, at Celtic and now at Hearts, where he has gone up two or three levels with the saves he’s made, not just good saves but world-class saves.”