Craig Gordon tells Scotland he's the solution to goalkeeping crisis as 'pinnacle' may not be veteran's swansong

Gordon insists he'll be available for September's qualifiers and is desperate to make it to the 2026 finals in North America

Craig Gordon plans to solve Scotland’s goalkeeping crisis by playing at the World Cup aged 43.

The Hearts stopper has signed a new one-year deal at Tynecastle and is currently Steve Clarke’s first-pick for the national team.

There’s a goalkeeping crisis at Hampden, with the likes of Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Zander Clarke and Robby McCrorie all injured.

Ipswich kid Ciaran Slicker was thrown in for his debut last week but had a nightmare in a 3-1 defeat to Iceland.

Then Ross Doohan was called up - while on holiday in Turkey - to play against Liechtenstein on Monday.

But even at 42, Gordon says he’s still hungry to be Scotland number one ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifiers which kick-off in September.

And as long as he’s fit and well, he’s dreaming of a career high point in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.

When asked if it’s in his mind to be picked for the opener against Denmark in Copenhagen, Gordon said: “If I’m still training well and playing well for Hearts, then I’ll be available for Scotland until I can’t play any more.

“Look, it’s very unusual to have that amount of goalkeepers injured at the same time, whether it's for club or country.

“I’ve never come across a situation with that man out. I doubt it will ever happen again.

“To have that amount is just crazy. Hopefully it's not a problem we have to face too often.

“But for me, going to the World Cup would be the pinnacle.

“There’s a lot of football to be played before that. And we might have to win five out of the six games at international level.

“So it’s going to be tough - but it’s possible.

“That’s why I go out every week trying to be the best I can be.

“It’s a short group (WC qualifiers) but if we can hit form we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

Gordon has enjoyed a remarkable career and is now going into his testimonial year at Hearts.

He’s got competition for his place in the shape of Clark and Ryan Fulton who will all be vying to play in Derek McInnes’ side this season.

But Gordon is refusing to rule out playing beyond this term.

He said: “Who knows how long I can go on for? I don’t know.

“If you’d asked me halfway through last season I might have thought that would be my last.

“Then I got to the end of it and thought I could go again.

“It will be another season like that. I’ll do as much as I possibly can for as long as possible - and we’ll see what happens next.”