FORMER SCOTLAND goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart has backed Craig Gordon for a Scotland recall should the 37-year-old decide to move on they summer. The 54-cap has spent six trophy-laden years with the Scottish Champions; however after falling behind Fraser Forster in the fight for the number one spot at the club, Gordon is yet to agree a deal to stay for 10IAR.
As reported by the Scottish Sun, Stewart believes that Gordon can win the fight for a Scotland recall ahead of EURO2020 next summer should he move clubs. David Marshall is currently the national number one under Steve Clarke as Scott Bain and latterly Fraser Forster kept Gordon on the sidelines.
“I know from speaking to Craig that he still has a hankering to get back playing for Scotland.
“If you look at it from his point of view, Scotland are in the Euro play-offs and could be playing at a major finals next summer.
“He still has the desire and ambition, I’ve no doubt about that. But he knows he has to be playing regularly somewhere.
“I’ve seen him being linked with St Mirren and obviously playing for a club in the Premiership would be good for him.
“When I look at the Scotland set-up, I’m sure Craig would be in Steve Clarke’s thoughts if he was playing regularly.
“Steve will look at some of the younger keepers around at the moment, but if Scotland have big games to reach a final tournament you’d want your experienced guys in. And that’s a category Craig would come into.
“Even as a back-up option, he’d be a good guy to have involved.
“Looking at it from the outside, it looks like he’s the odd man out at Celtic.
“But I know he’s happy with his own fitness, so it’s a question of what he wants to do for himself.”
As Stewart says, Gordon would be a good player to have around especially in the fight for 10IAR. Fraser Forster is yet to agree a deal to bring him back to Celtic Park so should no deal transpire and the club allow Gordon to leave, that would leave Scott Bain as the only first team goalkeeper at the club.
Gordon earlier this week decided to reject the offer from Neil Lennon’s side but remains confident that further talks will take place. St Mirren have been linked with Gordon but the club would be foolish to allow Gordon to leave the club – sign Gordon and play him if no deal for Forster transpires or loan him if we resign Forster allowing him to complete his dream of a Scotland recall.
