Zander Clark is Hearts' most important January business and HAS to start next season as No1 - Ryan Stevenson

Hearts have just completed their biggest piece of January business - getting Zander Clark tied down for another two years.

No new signing will be as important as sorting out the goalkeeping situation which was beginning to be a real concern heading into the summer. But Zander is the future between the sticks for Hearts and has to start next season as number one. Which - and this is not easy to say - might mean the end for Craig Gordon.

There comes a time for everyone and this summer is the time for one of the toughest decisions Neil Critchley will ever have to make. By then Craig will be moving towards 43. His story has been remarkable. I’m certainly not going to suggest stopping it and retiring him altogether.

I reckon it’s crucial the big man is kept in the building in way form or another as he is Mr Hearts and so important to the young guys as a role model. I’d give him a new deal. But he’d certainly be starting the season on the bench as a superb back up if things went wrong.

Would he grumble? He probably would because he’s worked so hard to get back to top level.

That’s why it’s such a hard decision. But Critchley has to do the right thing and for me that’s to make Zander number one again. It’s not just for Hearts but I see him as Craig’s successor for Scotland too.

I’d rather have Zander in goals than Angus Gunn. He is safer, has a huge presence and not only makes big saves but commands his box well. Everybody feels he was a bit hard done by when he lost his place back in August.

He kept 16 clean sheets last season then another one in the opening game against Rangers this year. So to then be dropped after one error a week later was extremely harsh. But you have to commend his professionalism that he’s been willing