PAIN IS HALL

Hoops No.1 Gordon is ready to crown famous comeback by winning 50th cap to take his place among legends

to admire the view when he clocks up the 50 but he’s not done yet.

The 34-year-old has ticked just about every box in his career but there’s a pretty big one left empty.

He said: “Playing at a World Cup? It would be at the top. That would be the final thing – to be able to go to Russia and compete in the World Cup would top it all and complete everything I wanted to do.

“I’ve won titles and trophies with Celtic and played in the Champions League but to be able to play in the World Cup, I could sit back once I retire and be very happy.

“It’s still in Scotland’s hands to do that. But we need to win a play-off as well if we can finish second. We’ve gone four games undefeated and will probably need to go another four to get there. So we have to do eight in a row.

“It’s still a difficult task but we have given ourselves a chance. The next game with Slovakia is the most important one.

“We’ll hopefully have a big home crowd behind us and it will be a lot busier than the Malta game. The fans will give us great backing to produce a great effort.”

Gordon is well aware of the danger though. Slovakia might not be sexy but they are no mugs. They are coming to COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAlNanDd...mCaOrMk E ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTL

MICHAEL GANNON