Heartbroken Craig Gordon opens up on ’emotional’ Euro 2024 miss

CRAIG GORDON suffered a double leg break back in December 2022 in a challenge with Steven Fletcher.

And after almost a year out of the game he returned to full training with the Hearts squad.

There were doubts about his ability to continue as a professional goalkeeper but Gordon put those to bed when he returned to the Tynecastle pitch last October.

He has been challenging Zander Clark for the starting spot in Steven Naismith‘s side and was included in Steve Clarke‘s provisional squad for the EUROS.

And he made an appearance of the bench in the 2-2 friendly draw with Finland, becoming the oldest player to feature for the national team at age 41, overtaking David Weir.

But he was cut from the EUROS squad along with John Souttar, narrowly missing out on a place in the summer’s tournament.

And he has now revealed that he set himself targets during his rehabilitation for his leg break.

He posted the lengthy heartfelt message on his Instagram with a picture of him in his Scotland jersey.

The post read: “When I was in the initial stages of my recovery I set myself four goals. The first was to be out of pain.

“The seriousness of the break made for complications and further procedures. I went through a lot of pain and wanted to be able to live life without it. I did that. 

“The second thing I wanted to achieve was to be back on my feet and able to run around the garden and play football with my children. We’ve done that. Many, many times and they won’t let me stop now. 

“The third goal I had was to play for Hearts again. This meant a lot to me. I did that competitively in January, having played my first friendly in November, 10 months after I broke my leg. It was a long wait, but I was ready to play the rest of the season. 

“The last thing I hope to do was to make the Scotland squad again. And to put myself in a position to be at the Euros. Coming into the provisional squad I know I hadn’t got the games I needed so I trained harder, I trained well and felt, and still feel, very good. I am of course, so disappointed not to be there. 

“Playing again for Scotland last night meant I did what I set out to do. And while it wasn’t in the way I wanted, I could never turn down the opportunity to play at Hampden again

” Something I have had the honour of doing for over 20 years. The circumstances were tough, it was an extremely emotional night for my family and I. But I’m grateful I got that opportunity. To become the oldest player to play for Scotland, it’s a special record. 

“Given how long I’ve been doing this, I’ve experienced so much and I, probably more than others, know all too well, that things don’t always go your way.

“Decisions go against you. Last night, of all nights, I wished they didn’t but if a nervous 21-year-old could have seen that so many years on, through some big challenges, I’d be there at 41-years-old, I think I’d be very happy with that.

“I should have been given a smaller shirt on my debut , but I knew that if I played for the badge on the front, people would remember the name on the back.

“I hope I’ve done that , and will continue to do so for as long as I feel could enough. 75 caps. Thank you.”

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