Antti Niemi was a favourite among Hearts fans when he played for them between 1999 and 2002.
The Finnish goalkeeper moved to Tynecastle from Rangers midway through the 1998-99 season and quickly established himself as their number one ahead of the legendary Gilles Rousset, going on to become one of their best goalies of modern times.
He began to be linked with moves to the English Premier League but lasted three years at the Jambos before clinching a transfer to Southampton, playing in the top flight down south for them, Fulham and Portsmouth.
Craig Gordon, who would go on to rival Niemi as one of the club’s great goalkeepers, was coming through at the time and would eventually take over as number one before forging his own career down south with a record-breaking transfer to Sunderland.
Gordon is once again Hearts’ number one at the ripe old age of 42.
And Niemi has paid him perhaps the ultimate compliment.
Antti Niemi picks Hearts’ Craig Gordon in best ever XI
The Fin was asked to pick the best XI from throughout his career, having played alongside some greats during his time at Rangers and down south.
His side features Champions League winners like Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sammi Hyypia.
But it also includes a certain Craig Gordon, who Niemi picks ahead of himself between the sticks.
Explaining his decision, he told Four Four Two: “An up and coming young keeper when I was at Hearts. He was mentally strong and trained hard.
“It was obvious he had talent. Craig suffered a fair share of injuries but the saves he pulled off at his peak was unbelievable.”
Gordon’s situation at Hearts
Given his age, Gordon’s career was feared over when he suffered a nasty double leg break in December 2022.
But he heroically battled his way back to action last season, though remained second choice behind Zander Clark.
It has since been claimed Gordon wanted to leave for St Johnstone last summer but, determined as ever, he fought his way back to being number one for the club this season.
He has been questioned at times, definitely not the same keeper he once was, but manager Neil Critchley recently reserved special praise for him.
It is not clear what will happen with Gordon’s future at Hearts going forward, with the chance he could retire at the end of the season.
Clark recently signed a new Jambos deal and there is a theory he must have been promised more games next season.