[goldenHuddlestone]

The future of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been thrown into further doubt after Rangers raided the Edinburgh club for the country's leading goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart.

Walter Smith knows the goalkeeping guru well from their time together with the Scottish national side, and Stewart's departure will come as a big blow to the Edinburgh team.

Stewart has worked with the likes of Nicky Walker, Giles Rousset and Antii Niemi during his career, but Hearts' major concern will be the loss of his relationship with highly sought-after goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

Gordon, Scotland's current number one, remains a top transfer target of Sunderland, after Roy Keane insisted on Wednesday the matter is not closed.

Meanwhile, Rangers striker Nacho Novo is facing a race to be fit for their season opener against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The influential Spaniard was injured during Rangers' 2-0 win over FK Zeta in the Champions League 2nd qualifying round on Tuesday night.

Novo hobbled off at the end of the game after being trampled on in the last few minutes, and he will under go scans to unearth the extent of the damage.

"I think I've damaged three of my toes, I'm just hoping it's nerve damage and I haven't broken any bones," he said.

"I'm desperate to be fit for the game against Inverness on Saturday."