GLASGW, Scotland (AP) – Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon at the age of 42 returned to the Scottish team selected in the two keys 2026 World Cup qualifying games on Tuesday.
Gordon returned to Scotland camp for his home game against Greece and Belarus on October 9-12, despite not playing games this season for Scottish League leader Hart.
Scottish teammate Ben Gannon Doak, winger at Bournemouth, was not born in May 2004 when Gordon made his national team debut.
Scotland is holding two home games in Glasgow after a promising start of the four-team qualifying group three weeks ago. Four points were scored without a goal in the away game against Denmark and Belarus.
Still, Gordon’s call reflects wider concerns for Scottish coach Steve Clark. Steve Clark has selected three goalkeepers who are currently not playing their regular games with the club.
Angus Gunn has held a clean seat in the first two qualifiers despite not playing this season for Nottingham Forest, and Liam Kelly is not his first choice for the Rangers.
“For goalkeepers, that’s probably still a bit of a problem,” Clark admitted Tuesday. “I’ve spoken with people who need to talk about Craig. They say he’s perfectly healthy.”
Scotland has not played in the World Cup since 1998. When the goalkeeper was 39-year-old Jim Layton, Gordon was six years ago playing his first game of 81 games with the National Team.
Former Celtic and Sunderland goalkeeper Gordon already holds the record as Scotland’s oldest player. He was already 42 years old when he played in a Nations League match against Greece in March.
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