ITALIAN STALLIONS CAN PUSH SCOTLAND HIGHER

CRAIG GORDON reckons Scots returning from successful Italian jobs will be a huge boost to Steve Clarke's camp this summer.

- Fraser Mackie

CRAIG GORDON reckons Scots returning from successful Italian jobs will be a huge boost to Steve Clarke's camp this summer.

The Hearts goalkeeper misses out on upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein through injury.

But he'll be a keen viewer of the final two warm-up games before 2026 World Cup qualifying starts.

And he's sure the squad will enjoy a massive lift from the achievements of their Italy-based stars.

Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour led the way by savouring a dramatic final-day Serie A title triumph with Napoli last Friday night.

Lewis Ferguson captained Bologna to Coppa Italia glory to top his comeback season from the injury that forced him out of Euro 2024, while Josh Doig played a major role in Sassuolo's Serie B triumph and Che Adams hit double figures in goals for Torino.

Gordon admits the closest he got to turning Italian in his long career was cutting about in short sleeves like Gianluigi Buffon.