CRAIG GORDON reckons it's rich coming from other clubs to suggest Hearts are acting only in their best interests by challenging the SPFL in court - and that there will be bad blood around the leagues for years to come.

Hearts and Partick Thistle have legally challenged the governing body following the early conclusion of the Scottish Premiership which ended in the eventual confirmation of their relegation. The two clubs have also contested Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers' promotions, an issue which drew the ire of the three successful outfits.

Ann Budge and her club have been accused of only caring about themselves amid the legal wrangle but Gordon insists the fact that the Jambos even have to fight their corner to avoid what they perceive to be an injustice. The goalkeeper believes now was the perfect time for clubs around the country to come together to find a solution and help each other.

Instead, he feels, they have acted with only themselves in mind in a hypocritical fashion. And he says the off-field issues will act as a major motivation for Hearts to bounce straight back up into the Premiership next season with the players adopting somewhat of a siege mentality.

"The motivation will be there," ex-Celtic stopper Gordon said. There is going to be a lot of bad blood in Scottish for years to come on the back of this. For Hearts to now use this to bring everybody together – fans, players and everybody connected to make sure we bring things together to get back where we want to be.

"That’s at the very top end of the Premiership. You could say it’s self interest for Hearts but everybody has done that. They have looked after themselves. I find it absolutely incredible that Scottish football couldn’t come together and help each other out. I really cannot fathom how that was not possible in this time.

"All around the world there is so much going on and we couldn’t even sort out our football. For me it’s incredible that it’s come to this but it has and we have to deal with it. From a players’ point of view that’s dealing with football."

Gordon had offers from Celtic and St Mirren on the table before he opted to re-join the club he considers his home. The Hoops were on the hunt for the fabled 10 in a row and Saints would be battling it out in Scottish football's top tier. So Gordon accepts that his decision could be considered a risk.

The pull of joining up with former teammates and working under a manager he once fought in the trenches with was just too much to deny. Either way, the 37-year-old will make history next season back at Tynecastle. And he's more than happy with the decision he made to head back to Edinburgh.

"There is risk in every move," Gordon went on. "You could make a case for all the other scenarios [offers from Celtic and St Mirren]. The overriding thing for me was wanting to get back an opportunity to play games and also to come to hearts which is a massive club.

"With the history I have here, knowing how big a club this is, that’s how I made this decision. This is the one that I wanted. I am very happy with my choice."