The substantial wage cut Hearts target Craig Gordon has reportedly been offered by Celtic

The Scotland international, who has been in talks over a return to boyhood club Hearts, said the difference between his wage during his last contract and the one offered by the Scottish champions is “absolutely enormous.

According to the Scottish Sun, the new deal would have seen Gordon earning 80 per cent less than he was before.

The 37-year-old rebuilt his career after injury issues at Celtic, joining in 2014 and playing more than 240 times for the Glasgow giants, winning a glut of trophies along the way.

However, the goalkeeper is seriously considering his next move.

He had an offer from St Mirren, but with the Buddies subsequently signing former Rangers goalkeeper Jak Alnwick, it appears to be between Hearts and Celtic for his signature.

Gordon told TalkSPORT: “They [Celtic] did speak about it a few weeks ago. The negotiations haven’t been particularly good, I’ve got to be honest. It has dragged out.

“I feel it could have been handled an awful lot better, but I don’t want to say too much on that.

“I had a fantastic time there over the six years. I still want to be able to speak to them and see what they have to offer – what they are thinking for my role for next season, if they want me to stay there.

“There is still a bit of chat still to be had there. I would have liked things to be sorted out before now with them, but that leaves the door open for everybody else to make an offer.”

He added: “Hearts is Hearts. It’s such a huge club. That was my boyhood club and they mean so much to me. It doesn’t matter what league Hearts are in, they are still a huge club.

“You look at what they are doing off the field, the amount of season tickets they’ve sold already is huge compared to a vast number of teams in Scotland. They are still going to be a massive club regardless of what division they’re in.”