Craig Gordon happy to stay at Hearts but open-minded about possible January move

It had been speculated that the 43-year-old, currently number two at the Jambos behind Alexander Schwolow, may seek a loan move away from Tynecastle to bolster his hopes of starting for the national team at this summer’s World Cup. But manager Derek McInnes appeared to close the door on that possibility when discussing the veteran goalkeeper’s future last week.

Speaking to promote his testimonial dinner at Tynecastle on March 1, Gordon said when asked about the the prospect of a loan move: “I mean, it’s obviously an option. I’ve not had any interest as yet but for me, it’s about concentrating on this job. I feel as if I’m close (at Hearts). If there is an injury or anything, I’ll be ready given the opportunity to go in and stake my claim.

“Not playing so many games allows me to train more and get myself as fit as I possibly can, so that I’m ready. That is just the situation at the moment, and we’ll see if that changes between now and the end of January. But for me, it’s just focus on myself, get myself as ready as possible, just in case.”

Gordon’s only two competitive appearances this season have come for Scotland, in their World Cup qualification double-header against Greece and Denmark in November. He appears to be vying with Angus Gunn, who has not made a single appearance for Nottingham Forest this season, to be Steve Clarke’s first choice for the summer showpiece in North America.

“I don’t have too much control over that,” he said of the Scotland situation. “We’ll have the games in March, and hopefully I’ll still be in the manager’s thoughts to get a call-up for that, and then show them through the training that I’m still capable, I’m still ready, and we’ll take it from there.”

Despite not seeing any game time for the Jambos, Gordon – a boyhood Hearts fan – is enjoying being part of McInnes’ squad at a time when they are six points clear at the top of the Premiership.

“It’s been great to be part of it, it’s been good to watch and the dressing room’s been excellent,” he said. “I’d love to be out there playing obviously, but there’s not really been that opportunity as yet.

“I still enjoy the wins. I still feel as if during the week I’m helping prepare the team. I’ve been on the bench throughout my career at different stages, but I think the older I get, the more accepting of that I have been and able to deal with it in a better way.”