Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been voted Player of the Year by the Scottish Football Writers Association.

Gordon is the first non-Old Firm player to win the award since Dundee United's Maurice Malpas in 1991 and the first Hearts man since Sandy Jardine in 1986.

Gordon said: "The last goalkeeper to win it was Andy Goram (1993) and that was a good while ago.

"So it's very special as not too many goalkeepers win it and not too many Hearts players as well."

The 23-year-old Scotland international has been a key player for Hearts in their quest for trophies this season.

And he recently signed an extension to his contract with the Tynecastle club, which ties him to the club until 2009.

Gordon beat off competition from team-mate Paul Hartley and Celtic's Shaun Maloney to win the award.

Also picking up their prizes on Sunday night will be Celtic boss Gordon Strachan for Manager of the Year and Kilmarnock's Steven Naismith, who was voted Young Player.

form bbe website

I'm a bit surprised that Vladimir Romanovski didn't win Chairman of the Year, Manager Sacker of the Year, Johnny Foreigner Purchaser of the Year and Submarine Commander of the Year.

In fact, what really surprises me is that he didn't award the fvcking prizes.... :shock: