Zander Clark seals Hearts switch as Robbie Neilson starts Craig Gordon succession planning

Zander Clark has signed for Hearts on a three-year deal.

And manager Robbie Neilson admitted it’s a deal they've been working on it for a while. The Scotland international left St Johnstone at the end of his contract in the summer after helping the Perth club retain their Premiership status after a playoff final win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Aberdeen and Dundee United were also linked with the keeper, although he opted to explore options south of the border. Those didn't result in a transfer, and now he finds himself back in the Scottish top flight with the Jambos as he doubles their contingent of international goalkeepers. Craig Gordon will remain the undisputed number one, but Clark will afford Neilson the luxury of picking and choosing when to rest the 39-year-old as the Tynecastle club compete domestically and on the continent. Ross Stewart and Harry Stone round out a strong pool of keepers in Gorgie.

Gordon will start to wind down at some stage and the length of deal Clark has penned suggests that there’s a long term plan in place for him to take over the gloves when the time is right. For now though, Neilson is just delighted to have so much talent to call on between the sticks.

“We’ve been working away on this one for a while so I’m delighted to get it over the line,” he said. “I’m sure our fans will know all about Zander’s abilities having seen him feature against us for St Johnstone over the years, so it’s great to be able to bring him here to Hearts.

“We look for quality players and that’s what we’ve got in Zander. He’ll provide competition to Craig Gordon and Ross Stewart which will, ultimately, raise the quality of performances in our squad.”

Sporting director Joe Savage added: “Zander’s