Gordon, at least when it comes to matters of a Hearts-Hibs rivalry, can twist the knife with the best of them. When it was put to him that Hearts supporters can be pretty merciless when it comes to rubbing Hibees' noses in it about their appalling Scottish Cup history, Gordon didn't sugar-coat his response: "I hope it continues".
Gordon spent five years in the Hearts team, doing enough in his 176 appearances to become the youngest entrant, at 24, to their Hall of Fame. In 2006, he wrote himself into the club's lore by helping them win a Scottish Cup final. All of that makes him a Jambo worth listening to. What makes his credentials even more impressive when it comes to discussing Saturday's momentous game at Hampden is his background. Gordon is a Hearts man through-and-through.
His opportunities to sit with pals in the stand and watch the team them have been limited throughout his adult life – what with playing for them and then for Sunderland – but Gordon doesn't need anyone to teach him the fans' songbook. Prominent among the chants are those directed at the neighbours and their pitiful, comedy record in the Scottish Cup. When it comes to this tournament Hibs have been as easy to mock for Hearts as Manchester City traditionally have been for Manchester United. Hearts don't just have a cup final to lose on Saturday . . . some of their most enjoyable songs could go out of the window as well.
"It's a source of great enjoyment for Hearts fans," said Gordon. "If it were to go the other way that would put an end to those and I'm sure there might be a few songs coming the other way, they've waited long enough to experience it. If Hibs do manage to lift the cup I'm sure they'll have a few songs ready to get their own back over the next 100 years." Hibs forward Garry O'Connor has already promised – or should that be threatened – to streak down Princes Street if his team wins the cup. "That wouldn't be a pretty sight," said Gordon. "I wouldn't like to see either of those things happen to be honest."
Gordon discussed the cup final yesterday to promote the coverage of it on Sky Sports 4 HD, for whom he will be a studio guest. Naturally this one will be a bigger derby than any of those he played in – the most memorable of which was Hearts' 4-0 semi-final rout at Hampden in April 2006 – and the consequences of losing it are unthinkable. "It's absolutely massive for the city and the bragging rights are there for either club to win. There is only so much talking you can do, it's about who can keep calm and manage to play the game rather than the occasion. I think the focus should be on winning it and not too much time spent on the consequences of defeat. There will be plenty time to dwell on that if it does happen . . .
"It will be more nerve wracking for me in the studio. There's nothing I can do to influence it so it will be worse watching than playing. I'm very jealous of the players out there trying to get a victory in what will be the biggest Edinburgh derby ever."
The last Scottish Cup-winning Hearts team never played together again and nor has its members even gathered for an anniversary. Robbie Neilson, Steven Pressley, Ibrahim Tall and Takis Fyssas were the defence in front of Gordon that day against Gretna. Deividas Cesnauskis, Bruno Aguiar, Paul Hartley and Rudi Skacel were the midfeld four behind Roman Bednar and Edgaras Jankauskas [Christophe Berra got a winner's medal as an unused substitute]. Little Gretna took them all the way after a 1-1 draw, but Hearts won on penalties.
"The team has never been back together but we're not too far away from the 10 year anniversary so we might try and get that team together. It would be nice to get the lads back again. When you win something that's always going to be the top highlight of your career. That would be the best day of my career, winning the Scottish Cup with my boyhood heroes. It would take an awful lot to top that."
"Two things about winning it stick out in my mind: straight after, lifting the cup and going round Hampden to take a lap of honour, and also on the bus coming down Princes Street and seeing the streets filled with maroon and white. It was a great night and having not won the cup since 1998 it was a great feeling to go back to Gorgie and go through the streets. It was especially good for me having grown up supporting Hearts from when I was a boy. The fans who were there wouldn't truly be able to appreciate the view from the top of that bus. There's a feeling of euphoria and people are so happy. It's a great feeling when you have contributed something towards that."
Of all the saves Gordon has made in an admirable career so far, locking those memories away have been the most precious of all.
