Hearts keeper Zdenek Zlamal speaks on Craig Gordon arrival and thoughts on future at Tynecastle

Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal says he doesn't want to leave.

Czech goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal has no plans to leave Hearts even if Craig Gordon’s signing leaves him as back-up.

Zlamal told the Evening News he remains committed to the club as his contract enters its final 12 months, and that he wants to help them recover if relegation is proven final.

Gordon, 37, became new manager Robbie Neilson’s first signing on Monday after leaving Celtic to rejoin Hearts. The Scotland internationalist is expected to be Neilson’s first-choice goalkeeper after agreeing a two-year contract.

However, 34-year-old Zlamal stated he will relish competing with Gordon and fellow keeper Colin Doyle for the No.1 position next season.

"If the club want me to stay, I will be happy to stay. I am very happy at Hearts,” said Zlamal. “I like the people and everything about the club. I am totally settled there and I don't have it in my mind that I want to leave.

"I want to help the club. If they want me there, then I will stay. Everything depends on my performance. I want to come back fit and ready to challenge. I definitely don't want to leave Hearts.”

When last season ended prematurely following the coronavirus pandemic, Zlamal was Hearts’ first-choice goalkeeper. He had fallen to third in command after previous manager Craig Levein recruited Joel Pereira on loan from Manchester United.

Under Levein’s successor, Daniel Stendel, the Czech fought back to reclaim his place ahead of Pereira and Doyle, although the Irishman was hindered by a broken ankle mid-season.

Zlamal pledged to prove himself to Neilson even if he remains a deputy to Gordon. He stated he wants to play but will accept whatever decision the new coach makes.

"Everybody wants to play and no footballer is happy if you don't play,” he said. “That's life, it can happen. Last season I was number three at one point and I fought back. Football changes quickly and it will be a challenge.

"If I will be number two then I will work hard like always. Everyone wants to play but I will respect everything. The most important thing is that next season we are successful.”

Gordon wrote himself into Hearts’ history books during his first spell at Tynecastle Park. He won the Scottish Cup in 2006 and played in the UEFA Cup group phase and Champions League qualifying ties.

He returned to his formative club amid much fanfare this week as Neilson begins rebuilding the squad ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

“It's Hearts' decision and I respect it. This will be a challenge and I like challenges,” said Zlamal. “We will have around two months' pre-season so for me it is nothing new. I know the situation and I am positive.

"I know Craig is a good guy and a very good goalkeeper, so this motivates me. We have a new manager so I think everything will start from zero. Everyone will start from the same position. For me, it's a nice challenge. I like this.”

Hearts are still waiting to discover which league they definitely will play in next season. Last month, they raised a joint legal action with Partick Thistle to overrule relegations from the 2019/20 campaign.

Their case was referred back to the Scottish Football Association for arbitration on Friday, however. They are now awaiting a date for an independent tribunal to hear their dispute with the Scottish Professional Football League.

Zlamal feels finishing the season on the pitch like most of Europe would have been a fairer option.

“Most other countries pushed to finish the league so it's unusual, in my opinion, what happened in Scotland [when clubs voted to end the season early].

“We have to fight to get back to the Premiership as soon as possible. If we are in the Championship, we want to win it and then get back to where we belong.

"It was a pity when the league stopped because I was back in goal and I think I was playing well. Coronavirus stopped that and it's history now.

“No-one expected this so I just hope next season Hearts will be successful and have a better season.”

Zlamal and his family returned to their home in the eastern Czech region of Moravia in March when Scottish football was suspended. He has been working to keep himself fit, with Hearts planning to begin pre-season training next month.

“There are only small restrictions here in Czech Republic so it is almost like normal. We came back here in March and had to stay in quarantine for 14 days,” explained Zlamal.

“That was a little bit tough with the kids but it's okay. Now I am preparing for the new season. I am working with a coach to make sure I am ready to come back to Edinburgh.”

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