‘It’s as if he’s never been away’ – Carver on Gordon’s Scotland return

Scotland assistant John Carver says it’s as if Craig Gordon has “never been away” from the international side as the 41-year-old eyes his 76th cap.

The Hearts goalkeeper was left out of Scotland’s Euros squad in the summer and many believed his international career may be up.

But Gordon, who has reclaimed the number one spot at Tynecastle from Zander Clark, is now in line to start Saturday’s Nations League game in Croatia after Angus Gunn added to the lengthy list of injury absentees.

“It’s as if he has never been away,” Carver said.

“He just walked in as if he is part of the fixture and fittings.

“If you think about the last conversation with Steve [Clarke] was after he had just had his 75th cap and he said to Steve, ‘I want back to get 76 and 77’, that is his attitude.

“Although he’s 41, he has had three years out injured so in the football world he is really 38.”