In-demand Craig Gordon is open to an emotional return to Hearts even if the Jambos are playing in the Championship next season - according to a report.
Their relegation to Scottish football's second tier is set to be confirmed today but the Daily Mail report Ann Budge's side remain keen on the 37-year-old who is a free agent after leaving Celtic.
The Scotland international confirmed last week that he had an offer on the table from the Premiership champions and St Mirren.
Gordon raved about Buddies boss Jim Goodwin and the former Sunderland star now has plenty of thinking to do over his next career move.
The veteran keeper had mostly a watching brief during his final 18 months at Parkhead after Brendan Rodgers replaced him with Scott Bain.
But Neil Lennon remains a fan of Gordon and Celtic still have questions to answer between the sticks as their bid to secure the return of Fraser Forster from Southampton continues.
Hearts' need for a new No.1 is obvious. Their wretched season wasn't helped with unconvincing displays from both Bobby Zlamal and Manchester United loan Joel Pereira.
Last week, Gordon told The Scottish Sun : "With Celtic, the ball is in their court. They’ve made an offer but they know they’ll need to come back with something better.
“My contract has lapsed and I’m free to talk to anybody. That’s what I intend to do over the next few weeks.
“St Mirren have made me a good offer and other clubs have also been in touch.
“As things stand I haven’t closed the door on anybody.
"Jim (Goodwin) has been absolutely fantastic with me.
“We’ve had a number of conversations and I can’t speak highly enough of him or St Mirren.
“I’ve been seriously impressed.
“I didn’t know Jim at all before he got in touch with me but he’s a great guy, a proper professional, who has made a very good offer.
"He understands I want to take my time before deciding what’s next for me. Other clubs have been in touch too and I’m expecting to have some more talks with Celtic.
“But I’ll take my time to consider what to do.
“I’m just going to wait and see what my options are.
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