The 41-year-old’s return to Scotland is the latest in a long line of achievements for Craig Gordon, but it could be the Hearts goalkeeper’s most satisfying yet.
Gordon, left out of Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad, appeared to have said goodbye to the Tartans at Hampden after earning his 75th cap in the pre-tournament friendly against Finland.
A few months later, he is back in the squad and is expected to start against Croatia in the Nations League on Saturday.
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Kris Boyd explains the decision to recall 41-year-old Gordon to the Scotland squad and why he should replace No.1 Angus Gunn.
It could be down to Angus Gunn’s injury, but manager Steve Clarke revealed Gordon was always determined to fight back against the competition.
“He said he wouldn’t stop at 75 (the ceiling), so you never know,” said Clarke, recalling Gordon to his latest Scotland team 20 years after his debut.
Gordon suffered a double leg fracture in December 2022.
Gordon’s inclusion means there is no place for his Hearts team-mate Zander Clark, with Kilmarnock’s Robby McCrorie drafted in as Gunn’s replacement.
His exclusion from the summer squad wasn’t the first time many thought his international career was over.
The former Celtic and Sunderland stopper suffered two broken legs while playing for Hearts in December 2022, two weeks before his 40th birthday.
While many saw this as time to hang up his boots, Gordon set himself four goals. To get away from the pain, run around the garden, play football with the kids, play for Hearts again and make another Scotland team.
Gordon made his 75th cap for Scotland in the match against Finland.
Gordon returned to the squad in June and became Scotland’s oldest player when he replaced Gunn at Hampden Park.
He then remained in Clarke’s thoughts despite a touching post on Instagram that many saw as his retirement from international football.
“Craig said it wasn’t goodbye (after the Finland game) and that he would see me later. He kept his promise,” Clark said.
“He has always shown that he is ready to fight. He wants to play every week and he wants to play as much as possible for his country.”
Carver: As if he never left.
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Scotland assistant John Carver said Gordon ‘looks like he’s never been out’ of the squad as he assessed his growing injury list.
The Granite City assistant coach john carver The Return of Gordon:
“It’s as if he never left. He just came in as if he was part of the installation and installation.
“If you think my last conversation with Steve after his 75th cap was ‘I’m coming back, I want 76, 77’, that’s his attitude.
“If you think about him, he’s 41, but he’s been injured for three years, so in football he’s actually 38!”
Will Scotland wait long for victory?
Steve Clarke has been in charge of Scotland since 2019.
Scotland will be hoping their upcoming games against Croatia and Portugal will end the longest winless run in Scottish history.
The team has lost five and drawn three of its last eight competitive matches. Including friendlies, they have managed just one win in 14 games against Gibraltar.
On paper, late losses to Poland and Portugal suggest there is little reason for optimism. However, with a more positive approach on the pitch, a new 4-2-3-1 formation and new players getting their chance to step into the spotlight, there is still reason to believe in the Tartan Army.
What’s next for Scotland?
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