Full Breakdown
Craig Gordon Recalled to Scotland Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
10/1/2025, 2:21:54 PM
Key Updates in Scotland's Goalkeeping Lineup
Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has announced the recall of 42-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus, scheduled for October 9 and October 12, respectively. Gordon, who last played for Scotland during the Nations League play-off against Greece, replaces Zander Clark, who has not featured since August. Both goalkeepers have faced challenges securing playing time at their clubs, with Gordon recovering from a neck injury and Clark struggling for minutes at Hearts.
Current Squad Composition
The Scotland squad for the qualifiers includes three goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), and Liam Kelly (Rangers). Gunn has kept clean sheets in Scotland's opening two qualifiers but has yet to play for Nottingham Forest this season, while Kelly has only appeared in one League Cup fixture. The defensive lineup features notable players such as Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston, both returning after injury. However, defenders Dominic Hyam and Max Johnston have been omitted from the 23-player squad.
Scotland's Qualification Campaign So Far
Scotland has made a promising start to their World Cup qualification campaign, earning four points from their first two matches. The team drew 0-0 against top-seeded Denmark and secured a 2-0 victory over Belarus. These results place Scotland level on points with Denmark at the top of Group C. Clarke emphasized the importance of targeting maximum points from the upcoming home games, stating, “Of course, two home games you've got to target six points and hopefully that's what we can get.”
Criticism and Concerns
Despite the positive start, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of match fitness among the goalkeepers selected. Clarke acknowledged this issue, stating, “With the goalkeepers it’s probably still a bit of an issue.” The reliance on players who have not been regularly featured in their club matches could pose challenges as Scotland aims to secure a spot in the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Upcoming Matches and Implications
The matches against Greece and Belarus are crucial for Scotland's aspirations to qualify for the World Cup. The top team in Group C will qualify directly, while the second-placed team will enter the March play-offs. The excitement surrounding these fixtures is palpable, as fans hope for a successful qualification campaign.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’ve spoken to the people I need to speak to about Craig, they’re telling me he’s fully fit.” — Steve Clarke, Scotland Head Coach
- “Of course, two home games you've got to target six points and hopefully that's what we can get,” — Steve Clarke, Scotland Head Coach
- “With the goalkeepers it’s probably still a bit of an issue,” — Steve Clarke, Scotland Head Coach
Scotland's upcoming matches will be pivotal in determining their path to the World Cup, and the inclusion of experienced players like Craig Gordon reflects the team's strategy to leverage experience in critical moments.
