Fans of Heart of Midlothian are getting ever closer to seeing the return of Craig Gordon. He, along with the club's other long-term absentees, is back in contention.

And head coach Steven Naismith had some very good news.

"Craigy is getting back to exactly where he was before," he said. Then came what was essentially a 'but'.

"That for me doesn’t mean he gets back in the team," Naismith admitted.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith: Hearts injuries, Tagawa growth, unsettling Rangers, sacked joke

Since sustaining a double-leg break in a draw with Dundee United at Tannadice on Christmas Eve, Zander Clark has deputised to a good standard. He was rewarded with his first cap for Scotland earlier this season before starting the two recent Euro 2024 qualifiers.

By all accounts, however, Gordon will be pushing Clark very hard for the No.1 spot. Naismith confirmed he has been pulling off the stunning stops Hearts fans have grown familiar with across his two spells at Tynecastle Park.

"I would say so and I’m comfortable saying that because of that last three week period," he said. "You get back and in all honesty this injury has probably been an ‘easy’ one for him to come back compared to his previous longer term ones. One, because of what the injury is but secondly, he’s got the carrot dangling that he was in the national team before he got injured.

READ MORE: Why 4 away wins in first 14 is Hearts feat and Steven Naismith's 'winning mentality'

"He’ll want to get back. So that’s the easy part - he’ll be focused. When he gets back on the pitch he’ll have his ups and downs and everyone’s question is ‘will he ever get back because of his age?’

"For the last three weeks we’ve watched it in training. The level of goalkeeping here is top, it’s really good. It’s because we have three experienced goalies who are internationalists and who have got a calmness and good ability.

"Craigy is getting back to exactly where he was before. That for me doesn’t mean he gets back in the team. Zander has had a good period when Craig has come out and done really well. He’s earned some Scotland caps and is in a great spell as well. We’re fortunate we have both of them plus Mikey [McGovern]."

Gordon has done the hard yards once more. The metal in his leg, the gym sessions, the recovery, the small steps, taking a step back to move forward again, returning to the training pitch, slowly but surely, integrating with the first-team then the bounce matches. 

There is one more step to make, perhaps the biggest of them all. Making a competitive return. So much of what came before was largely in his hands. Now he has to convince Naismith that he is not only ready but deserving of a place in the first-team. Or more accurately to do so at the expense of Clark who has kept three clean sheets in the last four matches.

The Hearts head coach is aware of the big decisions and has no issue with making them, even if they are big, perhaps touch calls.

READ MORE: Craig Gordon: Hearts legend on his journey to master the art of goalkeeping

"In the short time since I’ve taken charge there have been big decisions and I’ve made them all and I’ve been comfortable with them," he said.

"I think about these things. When I took the job I fully looked at the squad and looked at certain moments when certain players will be back and understand where we’ll be. Understand that there might be a decision to be made there and what do we need to do recruitment wise in January.

"It’s not as if one day I go ‘right he’s fit, I’m making a decision’. I think about it a lot and understand there are big decisions to make.

"I’ll talk internally and be honest with everyone from the players and staff to let everyone know what I’m thinking and how decisions are going.

"When these decisions are made there’s disappointment, frustration, joy from different people in these moments. But as long as you’re honest and there’s an understanding it’s the best for the group, I’m not going to shy away from these decisions.

"There are decisions like this every week. It’ll be highlighted it’s Craigy at the moment because he’s just coming back from injury. He’s a legend at the club, he’s got the Euros to go for but that’s not going to cloud any decision I make.

"I make the decision I think is best for us as a group."

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