Robbie Neilson, the Hearts head coach, is adamant that Craig Gordon should be playing in the Barclays Premier League, describing his former Tynecastle team-mate as arguably the best goalkeeper in Britain.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since joining Celtic in the close season, belying two years out of the game with a devastating knee injury to become his new club's undisputed No.1.
His display in the 2-2 Europa League draw against Red Bull Salzburg last Thursday was vintage Gordon, making a series of stunning saves to ensure Ronny Deila's men escaped Austria with a point.
Neilson watched Gordon leave Tynecastle for Sunderland in a £9m deal in 2007 - a record for a British goalkeeper at the time - and has been thrilled by his revival this term, which has also heralded a return to the Scotland set-up.
And the Hearts manager, who hopes his side can find a way past the towering stopper this evening, believes Gordon is destined for a return south of the border. "I'm delighted for Craig Gordon," he said. "He was obviously at Hearts with me and I know he's a great keeper. If he can get himself anywhere near fit then he's the top keeper in Scotland, if not Britain.
"He had some fantastic saves against Red Bull Salzburg. Looking at the way he's playing just now, he's got the opportunity if he does well to move back to the English Premier League - where he belongs."
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