Before starting his own career down south with a record-breaking move to Sunderland, Craig Gordon, who would later become one of the team’s greatest goalkeepers and eventually replace Niemi as number one, was making his debut.

At the advanced age of forty-two, Gordon is once again the top player for Hearts.

Niemi has also given him what may be the highest compliment.

Antti Niemi picks Hearts’ Craig Gordon in best ever XI

Having played with some of the greatest players in his career at Rangers and down south, the Fin was asked to select the finest XI from his career.

Champions League winners Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sammi Hyypia are on his team.

But it also features a certain Craig Gordon, who Niemi picks ahead of himself between the sticks.

He told Four Four Two, “An up and coming young keeper when I was at Hearts,” as an explanation for his choice. He exercised hard and had a strong mind.

It was clear that he was talented. Despite having a number of ailments, Craig made some incredible saves when at his best.

Gordon’s situation at Hearts

Gordon suffered a horrific double leg break in December 2022, signaling the end of his career given his advanced age.

However, he valiantly fought his way back to the field last season, finishing second only to Zander Clark.

Gordon reportedly wanted to go for St Johnstone last summer, but he fought his way back to the top spot for the team this season, unflinching.

Although he is undoubtedly not the great keeper he once was and has occasionally been questioned, manager Neil Critchley recently reserved special appreciation for him.

It is not clear what will happen with Gordon’s future at Hearts going forward, with the chance he could retire at the end of the season. Clark recently signed a new Jambos deal and there is a theory he must have been promised more games next season