A Journey 22 Years in the Making
When Craig Gordon made his Scotland debut against Trinidad and Tobago in 2004, George W. Bush was in the White House, the iPod Mini had just been released, and Scotland had not qualified for a World Cup in six years. Now, at 43, the veteran goalkeeper is not just at his first World Cup — he is the oldest player at the entire tournament, and his journey to get here is one of the most remarkable stories in Scottish football history.
“I thought this opportunity had passed me by on more than one occasion,” Gordon admitted from Scotland’s training base in Charlotte, North Carolina. “To finally be here to be part of something this big, to finally see it, it’s a huge moment for any player in their career.”
Scotland’s qualification was sealed in dramatic fashion — a 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park last November, ending a 28-year wait stretching back to the 1998 World Cup in France. The scenes of jubilation that night were a release of decades of near-misses and heartbreak for the Tartan Army.
Against All Odds
Gordon’s career has been punctuated by devastating injuries. He spent two full years out of professional football before signing for Celtic in 2014, a period during which many assumed his top-level career was over. More recently, a serious shoulder injury at Hearts limited him to just three league appearances this season — a campaign in which his club’s title challenge fell apart on the final day.
“It’s been a tough year and there’s just been a lot of things to contend with,” Gordon reflected. “I made a few comebacks in my career and this was another one I wanted to make. I wanted to give it everything I possibly could to make it here.”
Group C: Scotland’s Path
Steve Clarke’s side have been drawn into Group C, a fascinating trio of fixtures that will test their credentials from the outset. They open against tournament debutants Haiti at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on June 14, before facing Morocco and the formidable Brazil in Miami.
The question of whether Gordon or Angus Gunn will start in goal remains unanswered. Clarke has kept his cards close to his chest, but Gordon’s experience and leadership qualities — not to mention his remarkable recovery — make him a compelling option between the posts.
“The team is ready and we’re looking forward to that first match,” Gordon said. “It feels like it’s getting real now.” For a player who made his international debut before some of his teammates were born, the World Cup stage has been a long time coming. Now, Scotland’s oldest-ever player is determined to make every moment count.
Source: Sky Sports
