OUTSTANDING GORDON IS PLAYER OF THE YEAR, INSISTS NEILSON

ROBBIE NEILSON last night declared Craig Gordon as

Scotland’s Player of the Year after the goalkeeper’s latest stunning save helped Hearts into the Scottish Cup final.

Hearts were defending a 2-1 lead in yesterday’s Hampden semi-final when Hibs defender Ryan Porteous sent a powerful header towards the bottom corner.

Gordon (below) tipped the ball onto the post to keep his team in front and ultimately nail down Scotland’s third European qualification spot, which is expected to generate a minimum of £3million for the Edinburgh club.

‘Craig has been outstanding and I’d expect him to be in the running for Player of the Year,’ said Neilson.

‘In my opinion, he should win it because he’s done it week in, week out.

‘A number of players have performed sporadically through the season but every week he’s pulled off saves for us and it has helped us massively as a team.

‘The save was crucial. It’s big names for big games, that’s what Craig does. He steps up to the plate when we need him.

‘Not just on the pitch, but off it. He’s a quiet guy but he leads by example.’

If Gordon does scoop one of the country’s two main awards it will complete a hat-trick of accolades. The 39-year-old previously lifted the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year award in 2006 and 2015.