Craig Gordon admits he thought he’d played his last game for Scotland, but says full focus must be on Hearts’ opening game of the UEFA Conference League tomorrow evening.
The club’s most capped Scotland international made a return to Steve Clarke’s set-up this month after making his way back into the team at Tynecastle.
Although delighted to link up with the national team again, the goalkeeper knows the importance of a strong start for the Jambos in Europe tomorrow when the men in maroon meet Belarusian side Dinamo Minsk in Azerbaijan.
“I didn’t know about it,” he told the media ahead of the game.
“I only found out as I came off the training field before I left. I didn’t expect it, and I thought the last time I played would be my final game. I never closed that chapter though.
“I worked hard, felt I had a good pre-season, and all I’ve ever done is go away and work hard. I’ve managed to play a good number of games and it’s nice that I’ve got this opportunity. There’s no better feeling than going out and representing your country.”
Although pleased with the personal achievements, Craig believes tomorrow’s night match presents a great opportunity for Hearts.
Firstly as a launch pad for the beginning of the European campaign ahead, and then to take confidence before returning home to face Aberdeen on league business.
“There’s still lots to achieve,” he said.
“We’ve got a great opportunity in this country coming right up. It’s a welcome challenge to come over here as a group and try and get the right result.
“We want to do as well as we can and if we can get a few wins on the board then we give ourselves a great chance to get out of the group. We have to focus on that and then we head back to Scotland ready to pick up results and get ourselves up the table.
“It’s about pushing forward, I’m closing in on 300 appearances for Hearts which is a nice result, and beyond that, it’s about trying to stay in the team.”
