It’s set to be an interesting summer ahead at Hearts, as they look to prepare for the 2025//26 season. Plenty of their first-team squad are out of contract at the end of this year’s league campaign, and we’re yet to see any agreements with those whose contracts are set to expire.
The likes of Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Lawrence Shankland, Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, James Wilson and Liam Boyce are all out of contract this summer, and it remains to be seen as to whether new deals will be agreed anytime soon.
With them having under six months left on their current deals, they’re free to talk to other clubs, and Shankland is likely to remain the most in-demand of the players that could be set to depart.
However, it will be interesting to see whether Craig Gordon will extend his stay at Hearts. The shot-stopper came through the academy ranks at Hearts, making over 130 senior appearances in his first spell with the club, before departing in favour of a move to Sunderland.
That five-year stay at the Stadium of Light reached a conclusion in 2014, as Gordon moved to Scottish giants Celtic, before moving back to Hearts in 2020.
The Edinburgh-born goalkeeper has been a regular in the Hearts starting XI this season, making 32 appearances in all competitions, which includes featuring in the club’s Europa Conference League campaign on six occasions.
There will have been questions as to whether Gordon will have been worthy of a new contract at Tynecastle, having broken his leg after a collision with Steven Fletcher, whilst the forward was playing for Dundee United. The Scottish international hasn’t let that affect him though, and has gone back to solidify his spot in the Hearts starting XI this term, in what has been a season of ups and downs.
Hearts endured a dreadful start to the 2024/25 season, with their fans voicing their displeasure at the poor run of results. However, they’ve since picked up some much-needed wins over the last month, and are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions. That strong run of form could
be the catalyst Hearts need to fire themselves up the table in the near future, as they look to finish this year’s campaign strongly.
If they can do that, some of the players that are out of contract could have the opportunity to extend their contracts with the club.
Hearts are priced at 13/8 to finish in the top-half of the Scottish Premier League – odds which convert into just a 38% probability – which is touch and go to say the least. It’s vital they continue to build on some strong showings, and then they’ll certainly fancy their chances of forcing themselves into the top-half sooner rather than later.
Gordon has previously revealed that there haven’t been any new contract talks as of yet, but insisted that he was happy with Hearts at this moment in time.
“There’s been no contract talks, it’s too early for that. We’ll have a discussion over the next few months but at the moment I’m happy to be doing everything I can to improve our situation.”
Gordon’s experience certainly proves useful for the younger members of the Hearts squad, and with him being with the club for so long, he’ll know exactly what they need to progress in the next few months.
It would be somewhat of a risk-free contract agreement for Hearts, as if he struggles to maintain the high standards on the pitch, his experience could be handy to another goalkeeper that could come in as a long-term replacement. It should be a no-brainer for Hearts to extend Gordon’s contract.
His best days might be beyond him now, but Gordon’s experience could be useful both on and off the pitch for at least another season, and that’s why they should look at coming to a contract agreement in the near future with the 42-year-old.
