Naisy is really trialled in

Gordon insists his pal has excelled as Jambos' interim boss and has backed him to take reins full time

- FRASER WILSON

CRAIG GORDON reckons there was a lot of false bravado flying around in Saturday’s Edinburgh derby dust-up. 

But the Hearts skipper insists there’s nothing pretend about Steven Naismith’s claim for the Tynecastle throne.

The Jambos skipper is absolutely convinced Naismith is cut out for the rough and tumble of top-level management – and more importantly says his team-mates back the interim boss too.

Having spent 16 years together in the Scotland ranks and the last three as colleagues in Gorgie, Gordon never needed any proof that Naisy was head strong enough to handle a Premiership top job.

However, after seeing the 36-year-old manage seven weeks of adversity to steady the ship he’s even more convinced.

Record Sport revealed yesterday the former Rangers and Everton striker is edging towards being named Robbie Neilson’s successor.