Hearts keeper Gordon: I'll play for as long as I possibly can

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has responded to his manager’s claim that he can play on for years by saying he’ll keep working to play at the top level for as long as possible.

The 38-year-old impressed in goal as Hearts drew 0-0 with Hibs on Sunday, helping his team maintain their unbeaten start to the league season.

Gordon has also re-established himself as Scotland’s first choice keeper and played all three games as Scotland took six points from the international triple-header against Denmark, Moldova and Austria earlier this month.

The veteran goalkeeper’s continuing form prompted club manager Robbie Neilson to say he could play for another four years. Gordon laughed at the suggestion but said he has no plans to retire any time soon.

He said: “Yeah, why not? We’ll see how long I can go.

“I’ve got this year left on my contract and I’ll just keep going as long as I can.”

Gordon believes that the run of games recently, with three internationals and a derby in less than a fortnight, is as good an example of his ability to endure the tests of club and country as there could be.

“It’s been a big few weeks,” he said. “I’ve got a few days off now and that’s needed. I’ll take a couple of days to recover.

“It’s been four very intense games in a row. I’ve shown that I can still stand up to that so that’s good for me personally, to know that I can play at that intense a level game after game and still go out and perform.

“I feel good about myself from that point of view so I’ll keep it going but rest up until the next one.”

The Tynecastle favourite made his first team debut in 2001 and has been through plenty of derbies over the years but stood out once again on Sunday as the Edinburgh rivals went head to head. Though pleased with his performance, he was reluctant to call it a highlight when his side had only taken a point form the game.

“It would have been better with a win,” he said. “You always remember if it helps lead to a win then it carries a wee bit more significance.

“We’ll have to take our draw but we wanted more from the game.

“Satisfied with that but it won’t rank as high as the ones where we win.”