Gordon: I can be numero uno for Scots' Italian job

PAUL KIDDIE

KID gloves Craig Gordon insisted today he’s relishing the challenge to his Scotland place.

With a vital World Cup qualifier against Italy looming next month, new national boss Walter Smith is understood to be considering relying on experience and handing a recall to Celtic’s Rab Douglas for the San Siro showdown.

The Parkhead shot-stopper was one of four goalkeepers included in Smith’s training squad for this week’s "get to know you" session in Manchester, with Leeds United’s Neil Sullivan a surprise inclusion alongside Celtic No.2 David Marshall and Gordon.

The Hearts star kicked off his country’s World Cup campaign as first choice, the 22-year-old keeping a clean sheet against Slovenia at Hampden Park five months ago.

He retained his place between the posts as the Scots continued their stuttering start with a home defeat to Norway and a draw in Moldova.

However, the departure of Vogts and the presence this week of the 17-times capped Douglas and 34-year-old Sullivan, who has played 28 times for his country, at Manchester United’s training complex, has cast doubt over Gordon adding to his five caps in Italy.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of hanging on to my Scotland jersey," he said.

"Rab Douglas and Neil Sullivan have been there before and their inclusion in the squad this week strengthens the competition for places which I am sure will be good for all of us."

Gordon enjoyed a rapid ascent into the Scotland set-up after quickly establishing himself in the Jambos first team, a string of impressive displays propelling him into a winning debut against Trinidad and Tobago at Easter Road in May last year.

It is an experience he has thoroughly enjoyed and the lad from Balerno is determined to do what he can to prove he is the man for the Italian job.

"I think you could make an argument for any one of the four of us playing," he said.

"In football there are always challenges springing up and this is just the latest one for me. I have already had a few in my Hearts career. The first big one was to nail down the No.1 jersey and I am pleased to have done that having played 70-odd games for the club.

"Fresh challenges is why you play football and it stops everybody becoming stale. This is another one for me to take on. There is a place up for grabs and I’m looking forward to staking my claim, as I’m sure are the other guys. The get-together is a good idea and it’s good to hear the new manager’s thoughts on the national set-up."

Gordon was joined on the journey south by team-mates Paul Hartley, Steven Pressley and Andy Webster, the quartet having headed to Manchester on Sunday still frustrated at seeing Kilmarnock snatch a last-minute equaliser in the Tennent’s Scottish Cup fourth-round showdown the previous afternoon.

Leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Dennis Wyness and Lee Miller, the Jambos had one foot in the quarter-final when Steven Naismith blasted Killie level.

It was the second time in just four days that Hearts had been dealt a sickening blow following Motherwell’s dramatic winner at the end of extra-time in the CIS Cup semi-final at Easter Road.

Saturday’s setback was hard to take for the hosts but Gordon insisted they only had themselves to blame.

He said: "A lot of the lads were unhappy at the free-kick which was given for offside late in the game but the bottom line is we have to defend better. Had we defended the ball into the box better, then nobody would be saying anything about it.

"We have to look at what we can control, and that is our defending. It was a bad goal to lose and one that was certainly preventable."

Boss John Robertson was also irate at the role referee John Rowbotham played in Killie’s first equaliser, Colin Nish heading home Allan Johnstone’s free-kick having only just been waved back on the pitch after receiving treatment to an injured hand.

Gordon, though, stressed the Hearts players have to look at themselves.

"The guy had been off for treatment and sneaked into the back post without anyone noticing him," he said. "It is one of those breaks that sometimes goes for you and sometimes against you.

"But he is a big boy and I’m not quite sure how it happened. We have got to be aware of that sort of thing as it could have been a midfield runner and it’s not really an excuse."

Unlike the CIS knock-out, Hearts have at least the chance of another bite at the Scottish Cup cherry, the replay in Ayrshire going ahead a week tomorrow.

All will be forgotten should they overcome that tough hurdle, as Gordon pointed out.

"The one plus point from the weekend is that we have another chance," he said. "It will be tough to finish the job off at Rugby Park but we’ll go there confident of doing so. If we require replays to get all the way to the cup final then so be it. We are still there fighting and it’s not over yet."

Gordon was delighted to see another of the Tynecastle youngsters come of age against Kilmarnock, 17-year-old Lee Wallace impressing at left-back on his first team debut.

The teenager was given his big chance in place of Jamie McAllister and repaid manager John Robertson’s faith with an assured performance.

"I thought Lee slotted in well," said the Hearts keeper.

"He had a few good early touches and went from strength to strength.

"He did himself proud and if he can keep working hard and put in performances like that then I’m sure he’ll stay in the team."

Taken from the Scotsman