Aoba Tanaka 
Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been called up to the Scotland squad for the upcoming friendly matches against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, marking his return after a year-long absence due to injury.
The 41-year-old goalkeeper, who suffered a double leg break, has made a remarkable comeback, featuring three times for his club Hearts in the Scottish Cup. Despite his age, Gordon’s impressive performances have earned him a spot back in the national team setup.
Gordon, who boasts 74 caps for Scotland, last represented his country in November 2022. His inclusion adds depth to the goalkeeping department, alongside first-choice Zander Clark from Hearts and other keepers like Angus Gunn from Norwich City and Liam Kelly from Motherwell.
While Gordon’s return is a highlight, there are some notable absences and inclusions in the squad. Celtic’s Callum McGregor misses out due to an Achilles problem, while players like Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor from Celtic, and defenders Grant Hanley, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, and Kieran Tierney return to bolster the team.
Manager Steve Clarke has also named a trio of forwards, including Southampton’s Che Adams, Queens Park Rangers’ Lyndon Dykes, and Lawrence Shankland from Hearts, the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer.
The friendly matches against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland provide an opportunity for Scotland to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the Euro 2024 finals, where they are set to face tough competition against hosts Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary.
Scotland’s upcoming fixtures will serve as crucial warm-up games before they embark on their Euro campaign. The team will also play against Gibraltar and Finland in early June as part of their preparations for the finals.
Gordon’s return to the squad adds experience and depth to the goalkeeping department, offering valuable options for manager Clarke as Scotland aims for success in the upcoming matches and beyond.
