There are some players who pay little attention to milestones and landmarks in their careers. Appearances and wins, goals or clean sheets, moments and memories. They just live from one game to the next, preferring not to look too far ahead. 

Craig Gordon is not one of them.

He knows what he has done and what he can still achieve. An extra bit of fuel for his long-burning and successful career. The latest milestone is equally notable as it is inspirational.

"Yeah, I was. Thanks," was the response, delivered with a smile, about becoming the first ever Hearts player to play a competitive match in his 40s. 

"I didn't play at all when I was 40, I just skipped straight to 41. It's a good record, another one, so let's see if we can make it 42."

READ MORE: Craig Gordon Q&A: Hearts landmark and Scotland No.1 song

Gordon's appearance between the sticks for Hearts' 2-1 victory over The Spartans was a key staging post in yet another injury comeback. It came nearly 400 days since his last competitive outing, the draw at Dundee United on Christmas Eve, 2022 when he suffered a double leg break. 

Hearts fans can rest assured the club captain is fully fit.

"I don't feel anything", he said as he towered over the assembled press in changing room 4 which doubled up as the media room at Ainslie Park for the Scottish Cup clash.

"There is no pain, nothing is anything different. I'm a year older but that's about it. There's nothing in terms of the way I'm moving or what I'm doing around the goal that is any different. I'm still trying to be the same and improve as much as I can."

The 41-year-old is back and he is gunning for the No.1 spot for his boyhood club. Zander Clark has deputised admirably across the past 13 months but only one can play. Head coach Steven Naismith revealed he believes he can keep both goalkeepers happy as they challenge for the spot in the Hearts starting XI and possibly a place in Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for Euro 2024.

Gordon said he doesn't know how the Hearts boss will manage to please both of his international keepers.

"That's up to him," he noted. "All I can do is perform when given the opportunity. I did that on Saturday, I was happy with my contribution, now it's up to him.

"I'll try to play as many games as I possibly can between now and the end of the season. I've got a lot of competition there with Zander, who has been pretty good lately. It's up to us to put in the performances when called upon. If not, we know the other one is right there looking for that opportunity. It's a good battle. Me and Zander get on great."

READ MORE: What did we learn from Hearts win v Spartans: Lembikia urgency, striker, Wilson value

The dynamic between goalkeepers is a curious one. They fight it out over one spot but despite that competition, they possess the most harmonious and supportive relationship in the squad.

Naismith, at a recent event with fans, spoke of the excitable reaction from fans in the win over St Mirren toward the end of last year not being helpful when Clark went down injured and Gordon was primed to come on. The Hearts legend believes his teammate has enough about him to deal with such situations and pressure.

"Zander is an experienced goalie," he said. "He has been around a while now and played a lot of matches. He is well capable of dealing with that himself. We both know the situation and we are both desperate to play matches. We'll just see how it goes."

Naturally, Gordon was asked about his Scotland ambition. But before that, he has another target in mind. To hear the 'Scotland's No.1' song ring out at a packed Tynecastle Park when he's on the pitch and minding the Hearts goal.

"I've not heard that for a while," he said. "It's just great to be back out there in a game with the fans there. I'd love to do that again at Tynecastle and have a full Tynecastle when I get back."

READ MORE: Scott Fraser: Hearts closing in on second signing of January transfer window

Gordon found out he was playing against The Spartans the day before, while afterward, Naismith delivered a "we'll see" response when asked about who will start against Dundee on Tuesday night in the Premiership. 

"The manager spoke to me and Zander [Clark] on Friday," he said. "With it being the cup and the first game back, I thought there might be an opportunity to play. The manager confirmed that when he spoke to us.

"Now we know the fight is on, so to speak. We will both try to do our best."

Let the battle commence.