Robbie Neilson reckons Craig Gordon will be motivated to stick around for another qualifying campaign with Scotland - and become the nation’s oldest ever international footballer.
The Hearts goalkeeper is now the country’s 10th most capped player of all time after making his 66th appearance against Austria last week and stands just 10 caps off fifth-placed Paul McStay.
He’s also less than a year away from breaking David Weir’s record for being the oldest player to pull on the navy blue at 40 years and 116 days.
Incredibly it’s a decade ago this month that Gordon played his last game for Sunderland, leading to an agonising two-year spell on the sidelines in which he feared he may never play again as he battled injuries.
Fast forward 10 years and Hearts boss Neilson reckons he is making up for lost time in the twilight of his career.
Gordon has been in the form of his life for club and country and is among the five-man shortlist for international player of the year.
Should he continue to be Steve Clarke’s first choice for Scotland and help the country reach another Euros in 2024 he would become Scotland’s oldest ever player at 41.
Another show-stopping double save in Saturday’s draw at Ross County kept Gordon’s sensational season ticking along ahead of a monumental Edinburgh derby double header with Hibs in the league and Scottish Cup semi final.
And Neilson reckons his number one still has years left in the tank.
He said: “Craig’s a top goalkeeper and with another cap under his belt it looks like he’ll just keep going and keep going.
“It will all depend on how Craig is motivated to continue with the national team.
“He’ll try and get to the World Cup and then the following Euros .. will he decide to stay in the group for that?
“I think because he had a period out in his career he realised what you miss when you are out.
“He looks after himself very well I think he can continue to play for a number of years.
“It will ultimately come down to him.”
Gordon is shortlisted for the Scottish Football Writers Association international player of the year award alongside Kieran Tierney, Lyndon Dykes, John McGinn and Billy Gilmour.
The winner will be announced next month.
