Craig Gordon equals European record as he captains Hearts in Istanbul

Craig Gordon will equal the European appearance record for Hearts when he captains them in their final Conference League game.

Robbie Neilson’s men take on Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey in their last group game of this season’s competition.

The Scotland goalkeeper starts in goals behind a much-changed side of Michael Smith, Neilson, Sibbick, Atkinson, Cochrane, Connor Smith, Devlin, Grant, Forrest and Henderson.

The 39-year-old makes his 22nd European appearance for the Gorgie club and equals the record held by both Henry Smith and Steven Pressley.

Hearts are currently in third place in the group with six points, but they are four points behind second place meaning they are consigned to leaving European competition.

The Tynecastle club are the last Premiership club remaining in the first season with no Scottish representation in Europe after Christmas in seven years.

Istanbul are currently top of the group on goal-difference ahead of Fiorentina who are playing bottom side RFS.

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