Gordon, at 42, thrilled after qualifying Scotland for the World Cup

Craig Gordon: The Thrill of a World Cup at 42

The veteran Scottish goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, expressed his excitement after qualifying for the World Cup, an achievement that comes at the age of 42. Gordon revealed that coach Steve Clarke convinced him not to retire last summer, demonstrating the importance of his participation in the team. Gordon, who has overcome severe injuries throughout his career, reflected on his future at the end of last season, before extending his contract with his club for another year. Although he hasn’t played with the Jambos this season, he was called up for the crucial matches against Greece and Denmark.

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“It’s exciting,” Gordon declared to Alofoke Deportes after the dramatic 4-2 victory over the Danes, which secured the Scots’ place in their first global tournament since 1998.

Craig Gordon

“It’s been a long time, more than 20 years on this team, trying to get there, some failures along the way, some bad nights, but I don’t think I’ll ever have one as good as that one to be a part of. Incredible to be a part of that. It will take me a while to take it in before I can really think about the next step. I almost retired in the summer.”

“Steve Clarke was the one who told me to give it one more year, that he might need me. I could have given up on all of that. That moment tonight is worth everything, all the disappointments, all the hard work, all the years I’ve been trying. Seven hundred, 800 matches, however many I’ve played, for that moment.” Scott McTominay scored a sensational overhead kick early in the match, while substitute Kieran Tierney scored a brilliant goal from outside the area to put the Scots 3-2 up in added time. Kenny McLean sealed the Scottish triumph with a goal from the halfway line. Clarke praised the quality of his team’s goals.

“Scott McTominay scored the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen and it may not have been the best goal of the night!”, Clarke told Alofoke Deportes.

Steve Clarke

«There were many emotions. Up and down. Sometimes, you look for solutions and think about how to change it. I knew that at some point we would have to play with two forwards. I felt that the Danes were dominating us a bit. It seemed like a good moment [to make the changes]. Whether it was 10 or 11 [men], we were going to do it». «I spoke with Kieran before the first match. He is a key player for me, one of my men. I have many. Fourteen participated in the play-off match. I said ‘listen, Aaron Hickey can’t play consecutive matches, I can see you coming in as right-back and doing very well for us’. I’m not sure I imagined the goal… but when it came to him on his left foot, I knew he would score. When Kenny hit it, I thought ‘what are you doing?!’ but when I saw it in the air, I thought ‘that’s going in!’»