Craig Gordon speaks out on his Hearts future, Celtic sacking, SPFL title race and Scotland World Cup dream

Craig Gordon expects to remain with Hearts until the end of the season despite being second-choice goalkeeper behind Alexander Schwolow. Management do not want the 43-year-old leaving on loan to play more regularly elsewhere, and he is content to stay with the Edinburgh club striving to sustain a Premiership title challenge.

Scotland’s World Cup squad is also target for Gordon, although he is focused on Hearts business for now. He has not played competitively at club level so far this term. His only two matches were Scotland’s final two World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Denmark in November. He returned to the national team following injury to Angus Gunn and claimed a piece of history as the Scots qualified for the first time since 1998.

The keeper’s Hearts contract is due to expire this summer and, to date, there have been no discussions regarding an extension. Gordon anticipates that his future will be at Tynecastle Park at least until the end of May. “You can never say never, who knows, but I think that it will be. The manager doesn't want me to leave, the team is doing so well at the moment,” he commented.

“I feel as if I'm only one step away, one injury or a loss of form and I'll get the opportunity to stake my claim again. So, for me, it's just making sure I'm ready when that opportunity arises and make sure I'm able to take it. I'm hopeful between now and the end of the season I get some games here, but I'm relaxed in terms of what I need to do.”

Gordon could find himself involved in Hearts’ Scottish Cup tie against Falkirk later this month and also hopes to be included in Scotland’s squad for friendlies in March. “I need to concentrate on my fitness,” he said. “We've got the games coming up in March, I need to make sure I'm training well, that I'm ready to go there and show what I can still do, regardless of whether I've played here or not. It’s a difficult situation no matter what but all I can do is my very best in training and make sure I'm ready.”

Asked if he might take part in Hearts’ cup games, and what Steve Clarke might want to see from him in terms of game time, Gordon replied: “I don't know, the manager hasn’t said anything in regards to that [cup outings]. I don't know if that's what he's thinking or whether he'll keep that the same. It’s only a few weeks away to find out. I'll just train the best I can between now and then and hopefully get the selection for that.

“I haven’t spoken to Steve Clarke. I know he speaks to the manager from time to time just to check up on a few of the players. That's the message that will go back and forward between them. All I can do is try to make sure that message is as positive as it possibly can be by my training and keeping my thoughts.

“I think I'm fortunate that there are not too many Scottish goalkeepers playing first-team football. If I was the only one, then it might be more difficult for me, but there are a few other guys in the same boat at the moment. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.”

Gordon also provided his reaction to former club Celtic sacking head coach Wilfried Nancy after just eight matches in charge. The Glasgow club and rivals Rangers are both six points behind leaders Hearts in the Premiership title race. Rangers won 3-1 at Celtic Park on Saturday to seal Nancy’s fate. His departure was announced on Monday afternoon after six defeats in his eight-game reign.

Gordon stressed that the decision will not affect Hearts’ mindset as they look to sustain their place at the top of the league. “Nothing has changed, not as far as we're concerned,” he said. “It's all down to us and us trying to win matches. We'll see what Celtic do from here and who they bring in, whether that changes anything. There are too many unknowns for us to start thinking about anything other than ourselves.

“Just keep winning, be relentless, go again week after week to come back out and win another match and put the pressure elsewhere. That's all we need to focus on. We've got to go to Dundee [on Sunday] and try and win the match and keep putting pressure on, keep getting the points for ourselves. It doesn't matter what anybody else does. We are the team that are six points clear and we have to focus on what we have to do to continue winning.”

Celtic have now changed manager twice so far this term after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, with Rangers making one alteration by dismissing Russell Martin to bring in Danny Rohl. Hearts have remained stable under head coach Derek McInnes. “That's something where we may have an advantage. We have to try and take any possible advantage that we have.

“Certainly that togetherness, that willing to work for each other and fight for each other is something that we are absolutely going to need in every single game between now and the end of the season to try and maintain this,” Gordon pointed out. “Without that, it would be impossible to maintain. We've had that throughout and when there has been a little setback at any point, we've always stuck together.”

The goalkeeper compared the 2005/06 season with Hearts to the current campaign. He played 20 years ago as the Tynecastle side finished second in the top flight after then-owner Vladimir Romanov sacked manager George Burley. There is considerably more stability in Gorgie this time. “I don't think we expect the manager to be sacked any time soon,” said Gordon with a wry smile.

“I think we've got the stabilisation of a team selection. We know what we're going to get every single week. It may be a change of one or two players, but so far we've not had too many major injuries. We've had a few guys miss a few games here and there, which is always going to happen throughout a season. We've managed to deal with it. We've had that strength and depth maybe that we didn't have the last time.

“We've certainly got a much bigger first-team squad. I think that's been important because we've had to deal with times where we've had our first-team first picks that have not been available. We've been able to deal with that and still get enough results to get six points clear. I think there are a few differences, but also the thing that I think is similar is how much the players are enjoying it and how the togetherness is there.

"That relationship between the fans and the players on the pitch, you can really see those relationships. The fans have got their favourites and the relationship they have between them has been brilliant. It probably hasn't been there over the last few seasons to see that coming back again. We've got so many good quality players that it's easy for the fans to get behind it.

“I think everything has gone as well as it possibly could have. From [investor] Tony Bloom coming in to the new players coming in, to how well they've fitted into the dressing room, and the squad unity that we have. I don't think anybody could have seen it going as well as it has done. Everything has fitted together so well so far. We need to continue. I'm sure they'll be looking at another player or two coming in the door as well to continue the push. Everything has fallen into place so very well. We'll obviously need that to continue to happen between now and the end of the season.”

• Craig Gordon was speaking at the launch of his Testimonial Gala Dinner on Sunday, 1 March. “I said at the start of my Testimonial Year that what I’m proudest of in my career is pulling on the famous Hearts jersey and walking out in front of our fans,” he commented. “The backing they have shown me so far across all of the events in my Testimonial Year has been humbling and something I am truly grateful for.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone along to Tynecastle on Sunday, 1 March, for what promises to be a fantastic evening. The committee is working hard to make this a really great event and I can’t wait to enjoy it with fans, friends, colleagues and family.”

Tickets and tables for the Craig Gordon Testimonial Gala Dinner are available now at www.craiggordontestimonial.co.uk