Veteran keeper hasn’t played for over six months ahead of the massive qualifying double header against Greece and Denmark.
Derek McInnes insists “first class” Craig Gordon is ready to deliver for Scotland – despite not having kicked a competitive ball for six months.
Steve Clarke faces a huge call between the sticks for the crunch World Cup qualifying double header against Greece and Denmark with Angus Gunn injured.
Falkirk keeper Scott Bain has been recalled to the squad for the first time in six years and is the only member of the Scotland goalkeeping trio playing regularly with Rangers’ Liam Kelly also kicking his heels on the bench for his club.
But 42-year-old Gordon’s experience makes him favourite to be picked for the games which could end the nation’s 28-year wait to reach a World Cup – even though the Jambos icon hasn’t played a first team game since May 3.
That’ll be 196 days by kick off in Piraeus. However McInnes said: “I don’t think it’s a perfect situation Steve finds himself in with goalkeepers but if anybody can deal with it, I think Craig’s got the experience.
“He was in the squad the last time after maybe only having a week, 10 days of training. We’re now another month on.
“Although he’s not had first team involvement, certainly not starting games, we’ve had bounce games and 11 v 11 games in training.
“He’s not missed a beat with training so I think he’s certainly more ready for this round of games than he was the last round. You don’t play at his level and at his age without being a first class trainer.
“He’s training at a good level, as they all are the keepers. We’ve got the benefit of having a lot of good goalkeepers at the minute and Craig’s one of those.
“It’s not perfect in any position if you’re not playing regularly but I think Craig’s got the experience to deal with that. But that’s up to Steve to decide when he speaks to Craig.”
Regular game time certainly isn’t a problem for Lawrence Shankland who has fired his way back into Clarke’s squad on the back of his form for Hearts.
The Tynecastle skipper has netted 10 times already this season. And McInnes said: “I’m delighted, as was Lawrence when I passed on the message from Steve. He was over the moon. It’s a good reward for a strong start to the campaign.
“If you look at his performances in real detail, I think it’s not only his goals but his all-round game that’s in a good place.
“It’s good for us, for players like Lawrence. They’ve got added motivation to try and be part of a World Cup at the end of the season and hopefully we can get there as a country.
“If we can get the results in the next couple of games then every Scottish player’s aspirations must be that.
“It’s too important and too special an opportunity for him. So, I’m just glad his game’s in a good place.
“Results at Hearts over the last few years were a lot of times really Lawrence dependent. I say that with great respect because he was the guy that was expected to score the goals and if he wasn’t scoring then everything became a bit more difficult.
“I know having managed when you’re relying on maybe one or two players but the good thing for Lawrence is he sees that the pressure’s been shared. We’re getting goals from all over and obviously his part’s been really significant still which is where it should be.”
Should Scotland make it then McInnes says it’s not just Gordon and Shankland in his squad that should be pushing to be on the plane to the greatest show on earth next summer.
He reckons there’s others in the league leaders midst who could do a job for their country on the big stage,
He said: “Well I do but I don’t pick the team! I’ve never been one to champion my own players.
“I don’t like people telling me who I should be playing so it’s up to Steve but I do think we’ve got players here that could handle international football all day long.
“I do think that for all the Scottish players, if your game’s in a good place and you’re playing for a team that’s at the top end of the table, you just never know. I think players have got to play with that motivation whatever it is.”
Meanwhile McInnes says he’s honoured to be asked to perform a reading at Hearts’ annual Remembrance Service ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Dundee United.
The club holds a special connection with McCrae’s Battalion with 11 first team players enlisting for World War One.
And McInnes said: “It was brilliant to be asked. The club asked me to do it. It’s an honour and obviously I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s well documented how important the remembrance service is, the history we’ve got with the club and the connection with McCrae’s Battalion.
“It’s a huge honour to be able to speak at that.
“Me and my staff will be there and some of the senior players not involved in the game will be there as well and the young lads. The club will be well represented but it’s nice to be asked.”
Hearts are looking to make it 12 unbeaten at the top of the table. But McInnes knows Jim Goodwin will fancy United to end the Gorgie charge.
He said: “Jim’s got a lot of good players. I think he’s put a good squad together. Credit to him for that. They’ve done it a bit differently, a lot of teams as well, in their own way of doing things.
“Good squad, plenty of options to choose from. They change systems at times and they’ve got that ability to adapt so it’s not all straightforward what you’re going to get.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us and we’re going to need everybody to help. We’re going to really need the supporters to be with the team.
“They can’t underplay their part because if they can get right behind the team from the outset, crank up the noise, make it difficult for the opposition and get behind the team, it will help matters because Dundee United are a team who will fancy themselves coming here.
“They’ve had enough good results over a period of a couple of years with Jim in charge that coming to Tynecastle, a result for them isn’t beyond them.”