Former Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has point to prove for Scotland against USA

By Telegraph staff and agencies

5:00PM BST 22 May 2012

The goalkeeper is on the lookout for a new team after being released by Sunderland, where a number of injury problems saw him lose his place in the team.

For now, though, Gordon hopes to take the first steps in resurrecting his international career with some game-time in Saturday's friendly against the USA.

His last appearance came in a 3-0 win against the Faroe Islands in November 2010 but he is now ready to battle Allan McGregor for the No 1 jersey.

Gordon said: "There is a friendly rivalry, there is no animosity between us. We both want to play in the team.

"I've been unfortunate with injuries and missed quite a lot of international games which I didn't expect to do.

"Allan has come in and done pretty well and that's football. I need to get back playing first-team football.

"If I do that and I'm playing well, then I'm confident in my ability to get me back into the team if I get that chance."

McGregor has endured a difficult few months at administration-hit Rangers but Gordon has not been keeping tabs on his rival's form.

He added: "I can't really say I've watched an awful lot of his games.

"He probably did well, knowing Allan. I know how good a goalkeeper he is."

Gordon, 29, believes this weekend's clash in Jacksonville could be crucial to his hopes of finding a new club.

He said: "I'm looking forward to it. Having not played a great deal of football this season, it's a chance to finish the season by showing people that I'm ready to play and hopefully I'll get some time on the park out here.

"I think everyone is aware of my contract situation with Sunderland so it's quite an important trip for me to show anybody who is watching that I'm ready to play."

Gordon became the most expensive goalkeeper in British history when he moved from Hearts to Sunderland for £9 million in 2007.

He has been linked with a return north of the border with Celtic but has yet to make any decisions over his future.

Gordon said: "I'm not sure what will happen or what will pan out over the next few weeks.

"People are starting to look at their options for next season. I'll just wait and see what options I get over the summer and take it from there.

"I'm keeping my options open to absolutely everything at the moment, be it Scotland, England or anywhere else in Europe.

"I don't mind. I'm looking for the best option for me and to get the best deal possible.

"It's important to get back playing football and to get a run of games in a first team.

"That's what I'll be looking to do and hopefully I can get a good club that will allow me to do that.

"Then I can start looking towards trying to get back into this team on a more regular basis."

Taken from telegraph.co.uk