Gordon has Scots record in his sights
CRAIG GORDON wants to become Scotland’s No.1 Golden Oldie.
The 41-year-old is adamant he can keep going at the top level after signing a new one-year deal at Hearts.
Gordon is targeting a place in Steve Clarke’s squad for next month’s double-header against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland with a race on for Euro 2024 spots.
Clarke hopes the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 39, Luka Modric and Robert Lewandowski haven’t hung up their boots and are still around for the Nations League matches later this year.
Gordon believes he can top that trio and become Scotland’s oldestever player – beating Davie Weir’s record of 40 years, five months and three days – by featuring against Portugal, Croatia and Poland.
He said: “That’s something to aim for. I have become the oldest player to play for Hearts, so why not Scotland as well?
“That would be another great achievement. I probably already have the longest career span between first and last games.
“So if I could be the oldest as well, I may as well give that a go.
“I remember when we qualified
for the Nations League Group A after the draw with Ukraine and saying to the boys in the dressing room that I would try my very best to be playing and be part of that squad that was taking on some of the biggest teams in Europe.
“They said yeah you will probably still be here because things were going quite well, pre-injury.
“but I still feel that’s a possibility and what I will be working towards for the next few months.
“The opportunities coming with Scotland, the Euros coming up, even the games coming up in March, that’s something I can aim for. I want to play games between now and then and, hopefully, get back in the manager’s thoughts for a place in that squad as soon as possible.
“I never had any thoughts about putting an end date on anything. There is no limit. There never will be, but there will come a day when enough is enough.”
Gordon had no hesitation in agreeing his Tynecastle contract which he signed on the bus heading to the game against St Johnstone.
He smiled and said: “That was a first. Probably changed days. Signing in 1999, you sat there with your pen, I don’t think there was the facility to e-sign it and send it back!”