The veteran goalkeeper suffered a serious leg injury at the end of 2022 and is now primed to return.
Craig Gordon could end his 13-month Hearts absence against Spartans.
But boss Steven Naismith is adamant no one should try to read between the lines if Lawrence Shankland misses the tie at Ainslie Park as the striker has been ill. Gordon hasn’t featured for the first team since his horror injury on Christmas Eve, 2022 and long-term replacement Zander Clark has been outstanding.
Both keepers are also battling to make Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad and when asked if Gordon had a chance of playing, Naismith said: “He’s got a chance because he’s been back fit. Whether he does or doesn’t, we’ll wait and see. Zander and Craigy both want to go to the Euros. They both want to play. I think I can keep them both happy.
“Whether that’s changing the goalie or having chats with them, we will wait and see. But I think I can keep them both happy. I’m not going to say one is playing this and one is playing that, what we now have is a brilliant dynamic.
“In every position we desperately crave competition because it keeps everyone at the top level. In the last month Zander’s performances have gone from being a really good goalie to, I’ve got someone to compete with and I need to make sure I’m at the top level and he has shown that in an extremely hard situation where it’s not just a good goalie coming back, it’s a club legend.
“So it’s a competitive environment and we’ll see how that develops but I’m comfortable with the both of them to be champing at the bit to play.”
Alan Forrest has signed a new deal to stay until 2026 but there’s no movement on Shankland after the club made him a lucrative offer. The Scotland striker missed training through illness and Naismith said: “Hopefully, he’s not out of his bed today [Friday]. If he opens the door and goes out to move the car all sorts will be getting said!
“It is what it is. He’s ill, we’ll wait and see. I’ve still got hope he will be involved.”
Naismith is aware of the constant speculation surrounding Shankland and said: “There seems to be a, what’s happening, what’s happening? We’ve been speaking for weeks.
“It’s not a major priority as he has 18 months left, so we’re all comfortable with it. We’ve had no offers, no off-the-record chat.
“It’s this natural process, a player has 18 months left, you start talking about a new deal and we need to show our value. That’s all we can do. He’s got to make the right choice for him.”
Naismith has primed his squad for the short trip to face the capital minnows and said: “We just need to make them aware. Over the years, Hearts experienced it with Brora, Aberdeen with Darvel, so it is there to see.”
On loan Wolves kid Dexter Lembikisa could make his debut and he said: “The club wants me to showcase my attacking side.”
Leave a Reply