Parkhead exit has put Gordon back on point

STEVE CLARKE has revealed that he told Craig Gordon he would need to leave Celtic in order to earn a Scotland recall.

Last capped by his country in a 3-1 defeat to Portugal in October 2018, the Hearts goalkeeper has been named in the squad that will travel to Serbia, Slovakia and Israel over the next 10 days.

The 37-year-old had fallen out of favour after playing second fiddle at Celtic to Scott Bain and Fraser Forster at Parkhead, prompting the heart-to-heart with Clarke.

The Scotland boss said: ‘It’s good to have Craig back in the squad. I actually spoke to him last year when he wasn’t playing at Celtic just to reassure him that he was a goalkeeper I liked.

‘We spoke and he realised that to get back into the picture and in line for selection for the national team he would have to go and play somewhere, be the No1. He made that big decision and so far it has worked out really well for him.

‘In the last couple of camps I’ve used the opportunity to bring Robby (McCrorie) up from the

Under-21s to get a bit of experience.

‘I just feel that going into these three difficult away games the experience of Craig will be good. And obviously since he made the big decision to leave Celtic and go to Hearts, his performances have backed up that decision.’

Gordon proved his credentials with a man-of-the-match display in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Hibs.

‘Craig has been very good, and not just in the semi-final,’ added Clarke. ‘I watched the game away at Arbroath and he made some terrific saves that night, too.

‘He is in a good place and he will be a welcome addition.

‘I’m very happy with that department. David Marshall had three clean sheets in the last internationals and Jon McLaughlin has had a good start to his career at Rangers, even if he is not playing at the moment.

‘Three top-class goalkeepers.’