There were plenty of talking points from Heart of Midlothian's 4-2 win over Livingston on Saturday. One of the key ones, however, arrived before kick-off with Steven Naismith's team selection. Craig Gordon was back between the sticks.

The 41-year-old hadn't played in a league game for Hearts in nearly 500 days. He spoke to the press after the game and discussed his long-awaited return at Tynecastle Park, the game itself and looked ahead to the Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith confirms Craig Gordon will start Hearts v Rangers semi-final

Not the start you had planned?

I don't think any of us planned a start like that going two goals behind. I was happy with my decision to go for the ball and get there ahead of the striker. It was the right thing to do. It was the execution that wasn't right. These things can happen. Occasionally, that can happen and it was unfortunate for me it went against me. No worries. You get up and you get on with it. I know we had the guys in the team who were capable of turning the game around because we have done it so many times. We know we have the quality. It was just about settling into the game - we didn't have the best of starts right across the pitch really. It was about getting back to our game plan and doing it better.

How important was it for you to have this game ahead of Hampden next week?

I was happy to get back out there -it was my first time back at Tynecastle in a long time. It was great from that point of view. I enjoyed playing again with the back four and getting my bearings on the pitch. It's good for a goalkeeper to get the relationship with your defence back again. I was happy to get the three points because it was a good comeback and it doesn't happen all the time that you can come back from two goals down to win the match. It gives us confidence going into the next game.

Another European campaign next year with Europe guaranteed?

Yeah, but that's not the one we are looking for - we are looking for third place. It's all eyes on that. We maintained the gap and that was the most important thing. to maintain the gap going into the split. Now we can go and attack that and get over the line in that too.



Would you have liked to have had a bit more to do?

You can never guarantee what is going to happen whether you are going to play against the top of the league or the bottom of the league and whether you will be busy. You have to be ready for anything. It was about doing what came my way. It was about getting that practice to maintain my level. I was happy to get out there and delighted with three points.

What was it like the night before with the emotions knowing you'd be back out at Tynecastle?

Nothing too much. I expected that from myself, to be honest. I have always been positive that I would get back and be back out there playing at Tynecastle. That was always my motivation. It was crystal clear in my mind that I wanted to achieve that and nothing was going to stop me. I am almost relieved that it's out the way. I did what I said I would do and now I am fully focused on looking forward to the semis and beyond.

READ MORE: Hearts 4-2 Livingston: Highest xG and Lawrence Shankland's impressive numbers

How do you approach next week's game?

Records are there to be broken. We have broken a few ourselves this season with this team. It's incredible it's that amount of games but records are there to be broken, anything can happen in any game. We can go there with the confidence off the back of scoring four goals, it could have been more. We will go there with the confidence we can cause them problems. We are going to get a good week's preparation and give it our best shot.

It will take everything we've got to get a result. We are well aware of that but we do have players who can score goals, who can hurt them, can create chances. We have that belief within ourselves that on our day if everything goes our well we are a match for anybody. We've proved that at points this season. It's about doing that on the biggest stage when it really matters.

Does walking out at Hampden get that bit more special every time you do it?

I do realise that at some point time will run out and I won't get to do that anymore. It's always one to look forward to, whether it is a cup competition or with the national team. It will be a special moment for everyone. I'll maybe look back on it later as a special moment but at this particular time, it is all about preparing for the game. 

READ MORE: Hearts instant analysis: McKay and Oda impact, Gordon return and squad depth on show

When did you find out you were playing?

The manager spoke to me a couple of days ago to say that would be happening. That was it really, a one-minute conversation and ready to prepare for the game.

Can this game have a bearing on going to the Euros?

It's a big game, one we want to be part of and one you want a good performance in to show everybody you are capable of performing for the national team. It's up to us guys as players to put in our best performances between now and the end of the season, whichever game it is, to show our best and to see if we can make that squad.

How big will it be for the players if the Hearts end is sold out?

Getting a 50-50 split of the ground would be great for us and shows the momentum we have got with our fan base at the moment that things are progressing well. There is a good relationship between players and fans and they have backed us really strongly. Hopefully, they do that again and this time we give them something to shout about.