GORDON BACKS HIS GLOVE RIVAL

HEARTS keeper Craig Gordon insists he is leaving his gloves in safe hands tonight as he heads off on international duty with Scotland. Robbie Neilson’s side are just nine points away from securing the Championship title and aiming to make a third consecutive Scottish Cup final — starting with this evening’s second-round trip to Brora Rangers. Gordon will miss crucial games in both competitions as he bids to add to his 55 caps in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying triple-header against Austria, Israel and

Faroe Islands. Ross Stewart will deputise for him at Dudgeon Park this evening and again on Saturday as Hearts host Queen of the South in the league. The 25year-old has played twice for the Gorgie side since arriving on a season-long loan from Livingston but Gordon has tipped him to make a real impact in these fixtures. ‘Ross is a brilliant player to have in your squad and I’m delighted he’ll get a few games while I’m away with Scotland. He has pushed me hard and deserves his chance.’ The title is now in touching distance as Hearts enter their final six games and Gordon insists the next few weeks are crucial. ‘We need to keep improving and go into next season and prove ourselves again,’ he said. ‘It’s time for the guys to prove they deserve to be in the manager’s plans for next season.’ Championship rivals Raith Rovers are at Stirling, while Morton face Dunfermline, Arbroath host Falkirk, Inverness are at Buckie and Ayr United go to Elgin.