Scottish Daily Mail

Gordon won’t rule out return to Tynecastle

- By STEPHEN McGOWAN

CELTIC goalkeeper Craig Gordon is considerin­g an emotional return to first club Hearts. The 37-year-old is out of contract this summer and is poised to leave Parkhead after six years. Gordon has already confirmed talks with St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin. And Sportsmail understand­s Hearts want to secure his return, even if relegation to the Championsh­ip is confirmed after a final throw of the dice in the debate over reconstruc­tion this morning. An indicative vote on a 14-10-10-10 structure geared towards saving the Tynecastle outfit, Partick Thistle and Stranraer was

last night hanging in the balance, with talks going on to try to persuade ‘no’ voters in the Premiershi­p and Championsh­ip including Aberdeen, Ross County and Alloa to back the plan.

And, while Gordon harbours concerns over the impact Championsh­ip football might have on his hopes of a Scotland recall, a return to Gorgie holds appeal. Speaking last week, Gordon told the Scottish Sun: ‘My contract has lapsed and I’m free to talk to anybody. That’s what I intend to do over the next few weeks. ‘St Mirren have made me a good offer and other clubs have also been in touch. ‘As things stand, I haven’t closed the door on anybody.’

Hearts owner Ann Budge has ruled out signings while players and staff are still working for reduced pay.

However, with Championsh­ip clubs today set to rubber-stamp a resolution to play a truncated 27-game season kicking off on October 17 — as first reported by Sportsmail last week — plans for the next campaign can now begin.

 ??  ?? Back for keeps: Craig Gordon is mulling over a return to first club Hearts
Back for keeps: Craig Gordon is mulling over a return to first club Hearts

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