Clarke praises Gordon's resilience amid mini-crisis between the sticks

Steve Clarke has heaped praise on Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon for his response to Euro 2024 disappointment - as he talks up a Tynecastle prospect.

- by Ben Banks

Hearts keeper Craig Gordon, now 42, has been called up by Scotland alongside Rangers' Liam Kelly and Falkirk's Scott Bain

(Picture: Mark Scates/SNS)

Scotland's national team face huge World Cup qualifiers versus Greece and Denmark later this month, where at least a draw in the former match sets up a shootout with the latter at Hampden for a place in next year's major tournament.

Head coach Clarke has been faced with somewhat of a goalkeeper crisis, with few senior options playing club level football currently and number one Angus Gunn out injured.

Gordon, now 42, has been called upon alongside Rangers' Liam Kelly and Falkirk's Scott Bain, and the Hearts goalkeeper is the most experienced option between the sticks.

He is backup to Alexander Schwolow currently in Gorgie but will fight to try and help the nation to a first World Cup since 1998 this month, having previously been omitted from the Euro 2024 squad.

Goalkeeping coach Chris Woods will play a part in who starts but Clarke is full of respect for the Hearts hero.