Nicky Colgan has no doubts Sunderland No1 Craig Gordon can develop into one of the game's great goalkeepers.

"Craig is an excellent young keeper," Colgan, who spent five years at Hearts' city rivals Hibs, told the Sunday Sun.

"I knew of him from my time up in Scotland and even when he was a young lad coming up through the ranks at Hearts, the murmurings around Edinburgh were 'watch out for this kid, he's going to be something special'.

"He's lived up to that billing, too. To play 35 times for your country by the time you are 25 is no mean achievement - especially for a goalkeeper, because normally they tend to establish themselves at an older age.

"For him then to come down here and play consistently in the Premier League is another big step forward.

"He's quite a laid-back character, which is a good thing. You never see him uptight or apprehensive about things and that is a good trait to have in this day and age.

"Craig has an excellent future ahead of him."