John S Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Been supporting Hearts since the days of Cruickshank (& garland). Craig Gordon is a truly outstanding goalkeeper, however, Antti Niemi is the best goalkeeper I have ever seen play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hesh Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Sarah O said: Not sure if people still post it thinking it's original and/or funny. It's had the arse kicked out of it. Awful chat. while it’s had the arse kicked out it, it’s timeless, it probably means he’s remembered every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigO Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Fag paper between Craig and Niemi, I maybe give it "just" to Craig. 8f he'd been unfettered by injury I think he'd have gone on to be way beyond. That said Henry is my favourite!!!!! My absolute hero when I was a bairn! Henry Henry, show us yer bum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1971fozzy Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 A brilliant keeper. We were very lucky to have him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Real Maroonblood Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Great article about a great keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Findlay Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 41 minutes ago, Deodato said: Sorry for the Sorry JKB, but I've gotta perform a u-turn and go with @John Findlay. The Rob Jones save is Gordon Banks + (plus!). Time stamped link here. When you see the reply behind the goals, it's clear he's adjusting his whole body position in flight to parry the shot as it dips. How do these goal keepers make such calculations in just a fraction of a second, and with limited visibility? Breathtaking. Score so far: Gordon, Niemi: 30-15. Niemi to serve. It's natural ability. Craig Gordon, Antti Niemi, Jim Cruickshank, Gordon Banks et al, they are born with it. Some more than others. I always say how do you tell the great goalies from the good ones? The great goalies make less mistakes. They make mistakes, all goalies do, they just make less than the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointon Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Probably the best keeper we have had but big Gilles Rousset is my favourite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrystaf Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 14 minutes ago, pointon said: Probably the best keeper we have had but big Gilles Rousset is my favourite Agree, but Niemi never fulfilled his promise to return to Tynie to acknowledge the fans. Gilles did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glottis Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 10 hours ago, haveyouheard1874 said: Sure he knocked Man U at the last moment, as he had given his word to the team he signed for cant remember what English team it was Integrity and world class if ever Arsenal and Man U came in for him but he'd already said yet to Southampton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deodato Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Ominous said: Not in the video but the best save i have seen from Gordon was the partick thistle deflected free kick unbelievable. @Ominous by chance, was that the Scottish Cup quarter final? We won 2-1 I think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copa-mundial Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Great goalie, and an all round great guy! That save at Celtic Park is one of the best I've ever seen. He had no right to save it. Thats how good it was. Yet another foreigner who is captured by the famous Heart of Midlothian. He gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gorgie Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Gordons save for Sunderland v Bolton is probably up there with the best saves ever. His saves v Sparta Prague was the best I've seen in person i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a11ank Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 12 hours ago, graygo said: Never picked for Scotland though. Has to be one of the funniest 'phone in' calls ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Hardy’s Dug Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Its difficult between Gordon and Niemi for this reason: I think Craig pulled off some saves that Niemi couldn’t have but Niemi edges Gordon on larger per game average of shot stoppers Lets be thankful we had them both in this generation of the club Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7628mm Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 16 minutes ago, a11ank said: Has to be one of the funniest 'phone in' calls ever! It was a scandal as he was only 26 at the time and not a sniff at a cap with Scotland. I hate the SFA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron78 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 3 hours ago, John Findlay said: The save from Rob Jones header is one of the best saves from a goalkeeper I've ever seen. Yep, brilliant. The triple save against sparta also astonishes me every time I see it, but I think I even prefer the next one against livi. It's ridiculous how quickly he adjusted to turn that drive over the bar. Just incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubby1973 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 11 hours ago, haveyouheard1874 said: Sure he knocked Man U at the last moment, as he had given his word to the team he signed for cant remember what English team it was Integrity and world class if ever Was Southampton. Remember the goalie they had at the time being interviewed on sky sports news saying "I've heard he's a good keeper, but he'll be waiting a while before he gets a chance". I remember smiling thinking you've no chance pal. Think he lasted 1 more game, niemi took over and the other boy got papped off to wolves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7628mm Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 4 minutes ago, 7628mm said: It was a scandal as he was only 26 at the time and not a sniff at a cap with Scotland. I hate the SFA My bad he was only 28 https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-classic-funny-antti-niemi-hes-not-finished-hes-only-28-the-greatest-ever-20210119 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubby1973 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 He's right about the mistakes. I only remember 1 against Celtic that ended in the net. 1 boy shouted at him for letting it in and the rest of the section shouted at the boy to shut up. Although we lost to Celtic, reckon the fans felt more sorry for niemi extremely uncharacteristic mistake than losing the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley_ Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Best keeper I've seen at Hearts. I remember being gutted when he left. Has he been back at Tynie much since he left? Half-time draws etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown user Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 We've been absolutely blessed to see so much quality between the posts over the years, but when I think back to Niemi it seemed that every week he made at least one astonishing save plus several other really good ones. I've never been blown away as often by any other Hearts keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambonian Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I mind when he was on Question of Sport and the answer to one question was Hearts. He was on Ally McCoist's team and when he answered Hearts he punched his fist in the air and shouted "Yesss!" under his breath, much to the bemusement of Ally who just looked at him as if he was mad. Niemi looked back at him, shrugged his shoulders in a "what?!" gesture. Loved Hearts did Niemi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlasgoJambo Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 I posted this about 10 years ago so perfect time for a re-showing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Striker Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 5 hours ago, Mabawsa said: For some reason he always seemed to be in the Rangers teams that came to Tynie. Pure class and during the blethers with work mates, I said if only we had him. Still remember the day one of them told me, “you got yer man”. Could not believe it, steal of a price and IMHO the best goalie ever to wear a Hearts jersey. He was in goals for der Hun in the first league match of the new season after our Cup win - we won 2-1 but if it wasn't for him, it would have been 5 or 6. Outstanding performance ,,,, and all the more satisfying when JJ signed him the following year !! Lovely to hear just what Hearts still mean to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gorgie Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 minute ago, Lone Striker said: He was in goals for der Hun in the first league match of the new season after our Cup win - we won 2-1 but if it wasn't for him, it would have been 5 or 6. Outstanding performance ,,,, and all the more satisfying when JJ signed him the following year !! Lovely to hear just what Hearts still mean to him. Goes to show just how good a keeper Klos was too by keeping Niemi out the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) Big Niemi was class, although I don't think I ever got to witness him play in the flesh sadly. First goalkeeper I really recall though. I caught the tail end of Giles in my first couple of Hearts games and looking back, he's a big cult hero, but easy to see why Niemi was considered a great keeper. Didn't he break his neck at Fulham? EDIT: He played in goals in my first derby at Easter Road in 2002 I'm sure? The 2-1 Pressley game. Was also at a 0-0 draw vs Killie in 2000 but apparently Niemi wasn't in the squad that day. Edited January 30, 2021 by Locky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmaroon Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 For me Cruickie was something else but, of the modern keepers, loved Smith, Rousset and Niemi just edges it over Gordon, although as I typed that, I realised I was so close to reversing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmaroon Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 57 minutes ago, GlasgoJambo said: I posted this about 10 years ago so perfect time for a re-showing. Great find! Failed Communist Experiment = The Uglies - Brezhnev and Kosygin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ominous Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 3 hours ago, Deodato said: @Ominous by chance, was that the Scottish Cup quarter final? We won 2-1 I think? We did win 2-1 not too sure if it was scottish cup game but gordon was already moving left then threw himself to the right after the deflection. One of the best saves I have seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deodato Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 3 minutes ago, Ominous said: We did win 2-1 not too sure if it was scottish cup game but gordon was already moving left then threw himself to the right after the deflection. One of the best saves I have seen. Pretty sure it was, and it was the day Scotland beat England at Murrayfield too - best dual Birthday present I ever received. Shout out to anyone who can find the YouTube'age so we can see it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLTFTh Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Safe hands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spellczech Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 13 hours ago, Byyy The Light said: Mate of mine was at Hearts threatening first team at the time. They trained at Corn Exchange when weather was bad. Next to impossible to score against the guy in full size goals, imagine facing him at one end Craig at other. We’ve been spoiled with great keepers in my era. Henry being first. Maybe Joel Perreira was average then? then again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbusby6 Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 16 hours ago, Wilson said: Great keeper. But , Cruickshank in my life time, the best. My thoughts exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussAsia Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Niemi was the best for me.. Truly amazing.. One of my best memories about Niemi that gets glossed over. Does anyone remember the Beckham free kick against Greece in the last minute to get a draw and take them through. It would have been for nothing except Niemi, playing for Finland at the same time, was basically a one man team keeping out Germany for a 0-0 draw. He was phenomenal that game. Beckham gets the plaudits but it was Niemi who made it all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judge Fudge Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Phenomenal keeper, and easily one of the best I’ve seen at cutting down the angle in one on ones. always have and always will have a soft spot for big Henry though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLTFTh Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Henry got me into gking, used to love standing behind the goals just to watch him... If it weren't for Robo (God) then Big H would have had that title, thankfully Robo merited it. over and over again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King prawn Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Made some phenomenal saves, especially that one versus Celtic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 6 hours ago, a11ank said: Has to be one of the funniest 'phone in' calls ever! Who was it from here who made that mischievous call, not sure if he still posts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diadora Van Basten Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 Niemi was a great siege keeper who would make numerous saves. He also had that ability to save shots that he had no right to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a11ank Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Marvin said: Who was it from here who made that mischievous call, not sure if he still posts? Here's a link! https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-funny-antti-niemi-finally-reacts-to-finished-radio-call-its-not-funny-20210128 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruyff Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 10 hours ago, Ominous said: Not in the video but the best save i have seen from Gordon was the partick thistle deflected free kick unbelievable. 2nd that. He's made a few worldies in his time has oor Craig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarrysRightFoot Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 My favourite Hearts keeper. Almost moved to Man U at one point. Would have loved to have seen him at a top club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Mikey Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 7 hours ago, Spellczech said: Maybe Joel Perreira was average then? then again... I'm thinking that even Zibi Malkowski was a better 'keeper for Hearts than was Joel Pereira. Nope, not being facetious. I've yet to be convinced that Zibi wasn't a 5th columnist. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Mikey Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 8 hours ago, GlasgoJambo said: I posted this about 10 years ago so perfect time for a re-showing. I love the sentiment ... and like to think that he really did fall asleep dreaming of thwarting Henrik Larsson. That's the type of player we (or any other team for that matter) should aim to sign, whether a 'keeper or otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlasgoJambo Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 22 minutes ago, Wee Mikey said: I love the sentiment ... and like to think that he really did fall asleep dreaming of thwarting Henrik Larsson. That's the type of player we (or any other team for that matter) should aim to sign, whether a 'keeper or otherwise. 👍🏼 Also pointing out the demonstrable flaws in communist idealism. What a guy 😍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoked-Glass Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 7 hours ago, Wee Mikey said: I'm thinking that even Zibi Malkowski was a better 'keeper for Hearts than was Joel Pereira. Nope, not being facetious. I've yet to be convinced that Zibi wasn't a 5th columnist. 😉 Zibby is better than pereira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 1 hour ago, Smoked-Glass said: Zibby is better than pereira. He kept hubz hopes alive back in 2012 if it wasn't for him it would have been 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 12 hours ago, King prawn said: Made some phenomenal saves, especially that one versus Celtic He did a similar save v hubz at Tynie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawasakijambo Posted January 31, 2021 Share Posted January 31, 2021 22 hours ago, Deodato said: Sorry for the Sorry JKB, but I've gotta perform a u-turn and go with @John Findlay. The Rob Jones save is Gordon Banks + (plus!). Time stamped link here. When you see the reply behind the goals, it's clear he's adjusting his whole body position in flight to parry the shot as it dips. How do these goal keepers make such calculations in just a fraction of a second, and with limited visibility? Breathtaking. Score so far: Gordon, Niemi: 30-15. Niemi to serve. The Jones header was in all the way.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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