Craig Gordon dismissed any notion that Hearts have a ‘mental block’ about beating Rangers who they meet at Tynecastle on Saturday in their final cinch Premiership clash of the season.
The 41-year-old goalkeeper, who still hopes to make the squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, feels he is in a good place and said: “There is no mental block about beating Rangers, absolutely not.
“I have heard this so many times. It is a lot of nonsense we have come close. We were close at Ibrox. We played well in the semi-final and I think that is a crazy thing that has come up over the last year or so.
“We are going all out to beat them at Tynecastle in the last game of the season. If there was to be any extra motivation (for Saturday) then it is certainly that as we do not like it.”
He conceded that a win would be a good way to end the season, and added: “We have had a good season, we have said over the last few weeks that we have wanted to finish with 70 points.
“We can still do that going into the last game and it would be nice to get that win and that would mabey shut a few people up but it is up to us. We will go out there and stick to our game plan.
“Our game plans have been good against them but we have not executed them as well as we could have to win the game.
“They (Rangers) are still a very good team in their own right and you have to give them the respect that they deserve as well, but it is not easy to beat every single team in this league.
“If we manage to beat Rangers (on Saturday) then we will have beaten everybody in this league at some point this season. We will give it our best shot to do that.”
Gordon also batted aside any notion that Rangers will be on a downer after Celtic were confirmed as champions in midweek.
He said: “They are Rangers. There is a certain pride and responsibility that comes with being a player at a top club and they will want to continue their momentum into the cup final and into next season.”
PICTURE: Craig Gordon photographed by David Mollison
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