Clarke says Craig Gordon ‘up for the fight’ after recall to Scotland squad

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has said that Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is “up for the fight” after his recall to the squad for the first time since missing out on Euro 2024 selection.

In an update from the Scottish Football Association on Tuesday, the latest squad was named for the Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal in October.

West Ham midfielder Andy Irving, Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin, and Preston North End defender Liam Lindsay made the headlines after all receiving their first international call-ups, while influential vice-captain McGinn was ruled out of the team with a hamstring injury.

In more welcome squad news, veteran Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is back in contention for the first time since he was omitted from this summer’s European Championship squad after reclaiming his starting place at Hearts from Zander Clark.

Gordon became Scotland’s oldest-ever international when he won his 75th cap against Finland in June, shortly after being informed he had not made the final squad for the Euros in Germany.

Steve Clarke has said that despite the veteran’s age and recent injury history – a double leg break in 2022 – the 41-year-old remains “up for the fight”.

“Craig told me that it was not a farewell, and he would see me in the future”, Clarke told a press conference on Tuesday.

“So he lived up to his promise.

“He’s always shown that he’s is up for the fight.

“He wants to play every week. He wants to play as many times as he can for his country, so now I look forward to seeing him again.

“Shows durability. Good professional. And like I said before, somebody who just wants to prolong his playing career as long as he can.”

Gordon is joined in goal by Norwich’s Angus Gunn and Dundee keeper Jon McCracken, who keeps his place after earning his maiden call-up last month.

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