Craig Gordon celebrates his Testimonial at Heart of Midlothian FC with a match against newly-promoted Sunderland on Saturday, July 26 (3pm), but he stressed that his career is not over yet.
The evergreen goalkeeper, who has played in over 200 games for his boyhood heroes, and more than 80 occasions for the Scotland national team, has just signed a one-year extension with the Gorgie club.
The 42-year-old club legend said: “It has been an incredible career when you pause to look back at it, but I do not want to pause and look back at it as is not over yet, the things I have managed to achieve coming through at Hearts.
“To even get in the first team and be part of it, and move on to play in the Premier League down south it has been a dream. There has been some hard work at times, especially with injuries.
“To be able to do that and still be here and still have another year at Hearts and to have this testimonial is a fantastic thing for my whole family because they are all Jambos. It will be pretty special.”
His biggest thrill remains pulling on a Hearts jersey and taking the field for the club and the 6ft 4in hot-stop added: “Playing for Hearts and playing for Scotland, that was the two things I wanted to do.
“It is brilliant for me, brilliant for my family and I can’t wait for Sunderland to come here and have that match.”
The club’s Scottish Cup win has been the standout moment for Gordon and he added: “There are a number of Derby matches which have been good and for Hearts to win in the Cup semi-final twice against Hibs has also been memorable, so there are some good moments in there.”
Sunderland were a natural choice for the testimonial match, said the goalkeeper and he said: “I was there five years and playing in that league before such a passionate group of fans.
“I am looking forward to seeing their fans up here. I am delighted they (Sunderland) are back in the Premier League as its been a long time coming. I sat in my living room cheering them on in the play-off final and I was absolutely delighted for them to get there.
“It is a huge club, they deserve to be in the Premier League and I can’t wait for the game. I have had a look at some of their pre-season friendly matches and they have a good group (of them).
“Hopefully, we can keep them out and it is going to be a great game, a big test for us as well to have Premier League players come up and we’ll see what standard they are.
“Hopefully, we give them a good game and get them ready for the Premier League.”
Tickets for the testimonial are now on sale at Heartsfc.co.uk and supporters can keep up-to-date with all of the latest information on the testimonial at craiggordontestimonial.co.uk.
SMILE PLEASE: Craig Gordon poses for some of the media who were at Tynecastle. Picture Nigel Duncan
Craig Gordon with two of the Testimonial committee, Gareth Hall and Jake Evans. Picture Nigel Duncan
