Gordon slams SPL cheats

Hearts captain Craig Gordon insists cheating in the SPL is widespread.

Hearts captain Craig Gordon insists cheating in the SPL is widespread.

Gordon says Scottish players are just as guilty as foreign imports of gamesmanship.

Gordon's team-mate striker Andrius Velicka has come under fire this week following his reaction to an alleged head-butt from Falkirk's Darren Barr, which resulted in the defender receiving a red card.

Television replays showed there was little contact between the players and the Barr has since had his red card reduced to a booking, but Gordon says the financial rewards for winning encourage players to do anything for a victory.

"You could look at every single game in the SPL and look at players from every country, even Scottish players," said Gordon.

"They go down very easily to win free-kicks and to win an advantage for their team.

"If they think that is going to win their team the game, then there are a lot of people out there that are going to do that.

"I am not saying it's right but there are players that will be going past the goalie, they will nick it past them and they will down very easily.

"I don't think you can eradicate it.

"If you have a chance to win a game for your team by that means then there are people out there that are going to do that and you can't stop that," added the 24-year-old Scottish international.

"It could be the difference between winning games, winning leagues and winning cups.

"You get paid a lot of money and there is a lot of money involved for win bonuses for winning games, cups, championships.

"If you put that choice in front of a lot of players then they are going to take that option."