Craig Gordon: Scotland recall ‘welcome surprise’ for Hearts goalkeeper

Gordon has started eight of Hearts’ 10 matches this season after missing a large chunk of the last campaign as he battled back from more than a year out with a double leg break.

He became Scotland’s oldest international as a late substitute in the last warm-up match before Euro 2024, having already been told of head coach Steve Clarke’s decision to leave him out of the travelling party to Germany.

Asked if he thought that 2-2 friendly draw with Finland would be his final Scotland appearance, he replied: “Absolutely. That was the last push to get to a major tournament. To be told I wasn’t going, it did feel like the end.

“I did say if he wanted to call on me I would be there and he said he wouldn’t close that door.”

On the prospect of getting to the next World Cup, Gordon said: “That feels a long way away. I’m just taking it one season at a time.

“We’ll see probably towards the end of this one what the plans are for after that.”