Vladimir Romanov’s blank cheque offer to stop Celtic transfer | OneFootball

Vladimir Romanov, the former owner of Heart of Midlothian, claims he offered Craig Gordon a blank cheque to reject a transfer to Celtic and remain at Tynecastle…

Vladimir Romanov and son Roman sit in the stand during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park November 4, 2006. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Although Gordon eventually signed with Celtic in 2014, Romanov’s strategy initially succeeded, keeping the Scotland goalkeeper at Hearts until his record-breaking transfer to Sunderland in 2009.

Celtic made offers for numerous Hearts players claims Romanov

Romanov recollects that Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley, and Gordon all received offers from Celtic, as did manager George Burley and forwards Rudi Skacel and Roman Bednar.

Pressley and Hartley eventually crossed the M8 to join the Hoops, but Craig Gordon and several others remained at Hearts, influenced by the owner’s genuine approach: “Your contract is running out, and I know Celtic has made you an offer, but you’ll end up being their second-choice goalkeeper, not the first,” Romanov told the current Scotland no.1 via the BBC’s Czar of Hearts podcast.

Vladimir Romanov (L), owner of Hearts, and his son Roman Romanov (R), Chairman and acting Chief Executive o applaud at the end of the Scottish Premier League match between Hearts and Dundee United at the Tynecastle  on November 5, 2005. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

“Here’s a blank contract. Write down the amount you want”

“If you stay and sign with us, I promise you’ll play in the English league. He laughed, not taking me seriously. So, I said, ‘If you don’t believe me, here’s a blank contract. Write down the amount you want.’ Gordon wrote down a very large sum – something unheard of at Hearts and all of Scottish football. I looked at it, signed it, and handed it back. That’s how we managed to keep him.”

The 42-year-old departed Gorgie for the Stadium of Light in 2009, eventually joining Celtic in 2014 after a spell away from the game.

Craig Gordon did spend six trophy laden years at Celtic

He had six trophy-laden years in Glasgow’s east end, mostly as the first-choice keeper, playing under the management of Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers, and briefly Neil Lennon.

Craig Gordon complains after Celtic awarded a penalty. Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Gordon had incredible abilities, but he required a very careful approach,” outlined Romanov. “Psychologically, he was weak – if things didn’t go well, he’d get physically sick, sometimes even vomit. He needed delicate handling. Despite all that, he was an exceptionally talented player. Ultimately, I sold him for £9m – at the time, it was the highest fee ever paid for a goalkeeper in Britain.”

Conor Spence

INVINCIBLE – The story of Celtic’s Wonderful, Magical, Treble Winning Invincible Season. Order at Celticstarbooks.com

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