Craig's had more comebacks than Rocky Balboa but I wonder how long he'll be able to keep convincing himself this is a battle worth fighting

Hearts legend will know when it's time to finally hang up those gloves

- RYAN STEVENSON

HOW do you know when the party's over?

How do you come to the realisation the dream you've had since you first pulled on a pair of boots - or in Craig Gordon's case, a pair of gloves - aged five or six has finally run its course?

That's the question I'm sure the big man has running through his mind right now.

At the age of 42 and with another fight on his hands to reclaim the Hearts No.1 jersey, you do have to wonder how much longer he's prepared to go on battling before deciding to call time on his playing career.

In my case, it was my body that told me to give it up.

When the aches and the pains outweigh the joy you once had for kicking a ball, it becomes a no-brainer.

But that doesn't make it any easier to accept once you finally decide to hang up the boots.

I've spoken to so many players who told me they felt lost after retiring from the game.

I've experienced it myself. It can be easy to let your whole self-image become wrapped up in the fact you play football for a living.

I remember people would come up to me in the street and say, 'Oh, you're Ryan Stevenson, the Hearts player'. That was always massive for the ego.

But once I stopped playing professionally, I can remember asking myself: 'Well you're not a footballer anymore, so who the f*** are YOU now?'