Hearts star Craig Gordon in 'difficult' Championship conversation with Hibs star

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes the Scottish Championship is a harder league than people give it credit for – a point backed up by a Hibs star.
Craig Gordon had an interesting conversation with Hibs star Kevin Nisbet about the Championship. Picture: SNSCraig Gordon had an interesting conversation with Hibs star Kevin Nisbet about the Championship. Picture: SNS
Craig Gordon had an interesting conversation with Hibs star Kevin Nisbet about the Championship. Picture: SNS

Despite the 11 point lead at the top of the league, The Tynecastle side’s recent form has been poor by the standards expected of the team, winning just twice in eight Championship games.

Gordon was away on international duty when the team fell to defeat to Queen of the South, plus the Scottish Cup exit to Brora Rangers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During his time with Scotland Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet who scored 18 in 25 for Dunfermline in the Championship, revealed he finds the Premiership easier.

“It’s a difficult league,” Gordon said. “I’ve heard that from a number of different players now.

I was talking to Kevin Nisbet when I was away with Scotland and he was saying how much harder he found the Championship to the Premiership.

"He’s found it a lot easier to play, to get more space than what he did the Championship, that was just a battle whereas teams are tactically a bit different in the Premiership. They’re trying to win games more rather than defend and hit on the counter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"That might surprise people but we had a good chat about it and about how difficult this league is. That’s been across the board with players who played in both leagues."

Getting the job done

He added: “We knew we weren’t going to win every single game. Maybe when we came down, people looked at the players we had and thought we could win every single game. It’s not worked out like that. It’s never as easy as that.

"You could chuck so many reasons and excuses at why that might be, but there is no point in that. We just have to get the job done now and look forward to next season.”

Gordon has been Hearts’ best player this campaign, despite averaging fewer than two saves per match. Still, he has been required to make a number of key stops to save or win points for the club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The lack of action is not a new thing for the 38-year-old due to his experience at Celtic.

Alien concept

I think I’ve had quite a bit to do in some of the big games,” he said.

"To me it’s quite similar to what I had at Celtic, there were long periods of times where I won’t be involved and then you might have to make that one save in the game that makes the difference.

"For me that’s similar but for Hearts as a club that’s quite alien to them. It’s a different way of playing and that’s something this bunch of players have had to change to.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I just talk to the guys in front of me, making sure I’m in the right direction and them as well.

He added: “The manager is continually getting on at us and making sure we’re improving in different areas. He wants us to learn different formations so we can swap between formations in games. There’s still a lot of information and improvements to come.”