Robbie Neilson reckons Craig Gordon is the greatest player Hearts have ever produced, and has backed him to return fitter and stronger from his double leg break.
The Jambos skipper was badly hurt after a sickening clash with Steven Fletcher during a 2-2 with Dundee United at Tannadice on Christmas Eve. Gordon was stretchered off and taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery before Hearts confirmed he would be out for the remainder of the season. Understudy Zander Clark will now take the gloves after surprisingly signing on a free transfer in the summer.
His first start will come against former club St Johnstone on Wednesday night. Gordon’s are big gloves to fill, and Neilson bestowed on him quite the honour as he looked forward to his ex-teammate eventually being back fit again despite turning 40 on Hogmanay. “He’s probably the best player that Hearts have ever produced,” Neilson said.
“He’s come through the academy, he’s an international and has played at the highest level, but he’s also a great guy. He’s suffered a real blow but I know what he’s like. He’ll be back stronger and fitter than ever.”
If Gordon isn’t the best home grown player to have emerged from Gorgie, then John Robertson might well be. The club’s record league goalscorer is still worshipped by fans, and remains the last player to bag 20 goals in a single season for Hearts two decades ago.
But that record is under threat after Lawrence Shankland notched his 15th of the campaign against United after netting a stoppage time penalty. Neilson revealed that Robbo is desperate for Shankland to emulate him, while having a regular scorer can only be good for the club going forward.
“I played with Robbo towards the end of his career and the start of mine,” Neilson recalled. “He was an unbelievable finisher and an unbelievable Hearts man. Lawrence isn’t going to match those goals Robbo scored over his career, but to match it over a season would be absolutely outstanding. The record has been sitting there for a number of years.
“Robbo’s in contact with me now and again talking about it, and he’s desperate for him to do it as well. If we’ve got a striker here that’s scoring 20 goals, it gives us a good chance of progression.”
Ahead of the trip to McDiarmid Park, Neilson gave an update on his injured stars after a bruising encounter on Tayside at the weekend. He added: “We’ve still got a couple back, a couple out. Humphrys trained today but I don’t think he’ll make it for the game on Wednesday. Stephen {Kingsley] has his concussion and it looks like he’ll probably be out as well. There’s a few guys missing, but we’ve got a good squad here. Others will step in and I’m sure they’ll do well.”
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