CRAIG GORDON may be tempted to make an emotional return to Hearts – even if they drop into the Championship.
The 37-year-old keeper, whose contract expired at the start of the month, is a free agent after six years at Celtic.
Gordon has knocked back a new deal on reduced terms from the nine-in-a-row champions and that alerted St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin who is on the look-out for a new shotstopper at the Paisley outfit after the departure of Vaclav Hladky.
The Edinburgh side, who are likely to know today if their relegation from the Premiership is confirmed, are keen on bringing back the Scotland international, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
Gordon made the breakthrough at the Edinburgh club before Roy Keane paid a British record £9million for a netminder to take him to Sunderland in 2007.
Five years later, the towering No.1 was released by Martin O’Neill during his stint in charge at the Stadium of Light.
Gordon had to battle to overcome career-threatening knee and and arm injuries before he made a sensational return to Celtic in the summer of 2014 as a replacement for Southampton-bound Fraser Forster.
Ironically, the six times-capped England star returned to Parkhead on loan in August last year to take over the gloves at Scotland’s title kings.
Neil Lennon is exploring avenues of keeping Forster at the club, either on a temporary or permanent arrangement. He also wants Gordon to stay.
At the moment, the Hoops’ only signed keeper with experience is Scott Bain who sat out most of last season after breaking a hand during the 4-3 Champions League exit against Cluj in August.
Hearts’ need for a new custodian is obvious. Their dreadful season wasn’t helped with unconvincing displays from both Bobby Zlamal and Manchester United loanee Joel Pereira who has since returned to Old Trafford.
