Gordon: Getting picked for Euros 'would be one of my career highlights'

Veteran Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon says getting picked to be part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for Euro 2024 would be one of the highlights of his career.

The 41-year-old returned to action this season after a horror double leg break in December 2022 ruled him out of action for over a year.

He played in all of the Tynecastle club’s Scottish Cup games, that took them to a Hampden semi-final defeat to Rangers, and has been between the sticks for their last two Premiership games.

In total he has played seven times this campaign and only lost one and he is hopeful he has done enough to earn a place in the 26-man squad for Germany.

He has 74 caps for the national team and was the number one before suffering his injury with Angus Gunn now Clarke’s first choice.

Hearts teammate Zander Clark and Motherwell captain Liam Kelly have also both in recent squads so it remains to be seen who will get the call when the roster is finalised on Wednesday.

Speaking on Friday, ahead of Hearts final game of the season against Rangers on Saturday, Gordon said: “It’s good to get a little run and get a few games in, quite pleased to be back, my records quite good, we only have one defeat in the games I’ve played so that’s always nice to come back into a team that’s doing well.

“I’ve been back fit for a while now and I’ve not made any secret of the fact I want to get back in and get games, it’s quite late on in the season but still feel like I am getting better with the game time and I feel in a really good place.

“It’s doesn’t feel to me like the season is ending, I feel really strong at the moment, body is really good so it feels like it’s just get going.

“If I do get picked for the Euros I will be joining the squad in a really good physical state and ready to train and see what happens.

“That’s always been my aim to be ready for this stage of the season and I feel like that is all coming together nicely.

“I feel like I’ve been improving every game, being in for cup games then out again is a bit different from what I’ve been used to, it’s a different demand and one you have to be ready for.

“Yeah, (still get nervous waiting on the Scotland call) this would still be one of the highlights of my career to be part of a Scotland squad going to the Euros, so yeah I am nervous, I don’t know what’s going to happen but I certainly feel like I have put the work in in training and I feel ready, and If I do get the call I will go there in a good state and ready to do my job.

“It’s what everybody wants, there was four keepers in the last squad and everybody wants to be there, I see Germany named four goalkeepers in their squad yesterday so perhaps there’s the option of that? I don’t know what the manager is thinking but for all us we are all desperate to go.

“It would be a great achievement for me to come back and be part of that again and where I have been the last couple of years, so it would be huge for me and I am hopeful that it comes true.”