Goalkeeper Craig Gordon named as new Hearts captain

Craig Gordon will captain Hearts on their return to the Premiership this season.

Manager Robbie Nielson confirmed on Thursday that the Scotland goalkeeper will wear the arm band following Steven Naismith’s retirement.

Gordon returned to Tynecastle last season after six seasons with Celtic and helped them win the Championship.

The 38-year-old, who was Scotland’s second choice keeper at Euro 2020, played over 150 games for Hearts during his first spell at the club between 2001 and 2007.

His form during that time saw him win a Scottish Cup and earn a then Scottish transfer record move to Sunderland for £8m.

He returned to Scotland to sign for Celtic in 2014 where he helped them win five league titles, five league cups and two Scottish Cups.

But after falling down the pecking order behind Fraser Forster and Scott Bain in his last season he decided to return to Gorgie and help them return to the top league at the first time of asking.

He also has 54 Scotland caps since making his international debut in 2004.

Hearts open their Premiership campaign with a home game against Celtic at the end of this month.

On announcing the decision Neilson said: “We spoke to the players today and Craig Gordon will be the captain for the coming season.

“Last season I thought he did really well. He’s got brilliant experience, great leadership capabilities and played at the highest level for a long, long time.

“Obviously, he came through the Hearts academy as well so we are delighted to have him as the captain this season and I’m sure he’ll do very well.

“He’s very popular in the dressing room, he leads by example, he’s been over the course in football for a number of years.

“He’s played at the highest level, played international, still playing internationals, went to the Euros, which was great, and we hope he continues to play at that level for us for a number of years.

“He’s a top character and he’s definitely earned the job of captain for the club.”