The player in question, Craig Gordon, came into the world on a crisp winter's day as the year 1982 drew to a close. This Scottish native currently acts as a pair of safe hands between the posts for Hearts, donning the number 1 jersey and standing at an imposing 6ft 3in (1.93m). His age of 42 years outlines a long professional career, with his weight standing at 13st (83kg), suitable for his demanding position. Gordon's services also extend to the Scottish national team, exemplifying his quality as a shot-stopper.
At present, the market indicates his monetary worth standing at a modest £42,000, as cited by Transfermarkt. His present contract with Hearts has a ticking clock hanging over it, with an expiration date set for the end of May in 2026.
The roots of Gordon's footballing journey were planted at Hearts in 1999 when he joined as a fledgling trainee. From 2002 to 2007, he made steady progress, going from a single appearance in league matches to 34 appearances in the span of five seasons. More recently, between 2021 and the current, unfinished 2025-2026 season, Gordon has been a crucial part of the team, making numerous appearances, even though he has yet to take the field this season.
It's noteworthy to mention his temporary excursion to Cowdenbeath in 2001; a loan that provided him with 12 opportunities to showcase his potential in league matches during the 2001-2002 season. His post-loan period at Hearts, from 2002 to 2007, saw similar growth, underlining his consistency.
A major career step took place in August 2007 when he bid farewell to Hearts and ventured south, joining Sunderland in a deal that minted the clubs around £9m. Gordon's time at Sunderland, that lasted until 2012, was varied in terms of first-team opportunities, ranging from single-league appearances in some seasons and reaching up to 34 appearances in others.
A significant stage of his career unfolded in July 2014 when Celtic welcomed Gordon into their ranks. From the 2014-2015 season up till 2018-2019, Gordon was a mainstay in the Celtic squad, putting in numerous league appearances. Celtic fans would remember his contributions to the team during this period, especially with his tenacious performances and significant saves.
Gordon decided to return to Hearts in July 2020. Safe to say, his time at Hearts since his return has been characterised by many first-team appearances, though the current 2025-2026 season has seen him yet to make an appearance.
On the cup front, Gordon's performance for Hearts in the 2024-2025 Scottish Cup shows his involvement with four starts. His services for Scotland in the Nations League during the same period involved six commencements in the starting line-up, demonstrating solid contribution at the international arena.
