Craig Gordon, 41, called up by Scotland as Steve Clarke ponders ‘interesting decision’

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Steve Clarke handed Craig Gordon the prospect to play his means into Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad as he displayed his loyalty to the gamers who’ve served him nicely in recent times.

The 41-year-old is one among 4 goalkeepers included in a 25-man group for friendlies towards the Netherlands and Northern Ireland this month as Clarke retains his choices open.

With Callum McGregor, Aaron Hickey and Jacob Brown lacking out by way of damage, Clarke hopes to have some robust selections to make when he whittles his squad all the way down to 23 gamers by the June 7 deadline – seven days earlier than Scotland tackle Germany within the match opener.

There had been no actual surprises within the newest squad. Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack is absent after being troubled by health points in latest months whereas Josh Doig and Robby McCrorie have dropped out following November’s video games towards Georgia and Norway.

Lawrence Shankland retains his place after netting in Tbilisi following his late call-up whereas Angus Gunn, Gordon, John Souttar, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Grant Hanley are all again in following damage.

“It’s good to get a few back,” Clarke stated. “Obviously there are still three or four missing that I would like to have been in the squad. But the key thing for me is to make sure that, come the start of May, I’ve got tough selections to make, everybody fit and available.

“If we can get to May and I have to make those tough decisions, obviously it will be unfortunate for the ones who miss out, but that’s part of the job, I have got to do it. I will be ready to do it.”

When requested if there was house for anybody to make a late run for the squad, he stated: “There’s always opportunity but what I can’t really get my head around is this squad, you talk about the core squad, they haven’t let anybody down. They have done really well for their country and they deserve the chance to go to the Euros.”

Gordon has not been capable of dislodge Zander Clark from the Hearts crew since recovering from a double leg break however the 74-times capped goalkeeper has began in three Scottish Cup ties.

Clarke watched him hold a clear sheet as Steven Naismith’s aspect reached the semi-finals towards Morton at Cappielow on Monday evening.

The former Kilmarnock supervisor defined his reasoning behind selecting 4 goalkeepers with Clark, Gunn and Gordon joined by Motherwell’s Liam Kelly.

“It gives us a chance to look at Craig up close because he has had three competitive games and, without being disrespectful to the opposition Hearts have played in the cup, probably not games where Craig was over-worked,” he stated.

“So it will be nice to see Craig in training with the other goalkeepers. Three of those goalkeepers will go to the Euros and one will miss out.

“I will just assess everything I’ve got. Obviously with the make-up of a squad going into a tournament, there’s other factors as well involved in terms of squad stability and boys that have been in a squad a long time. It’s going to be an interesting decision.

“Obviously Zander has the No 1 jersey at Hearts, which tells you a lot about the performances Zander has been putting in. Liam Kelly has been steady in the league again, as he always is, and it’s nice to have Angus Gunn back after missing the November games. It’s nice to have all four competing for three positions.

“There will be a number of factors – performance on the pitch, playing regularly, and just the make-up and the dynamic of the group, people that have been on the squad, players who train well.

“There’s a lot of centre-halves in there as well. I’m not going to be taking all those centre-backs, so there is a similar situation there. They have to impress, they have to play well at their clubs if given the opportunity to play, and then I’ve got to make the selection.”

Brown (knee) and Hickey (hamstring) are recovering from surgical procedure however there may be some uncertainty over McGregor’s Achilles downside with Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers final week stating a scan had been inconclusive.

Clarke stated: “I had a brief chat with Callum with this week because I knew he was going to be missing this camp, but no big issues moving forward, I don’t think.”

Scotland squad for Netherlands and Northern Ireland friendlies:

Goalkeepers: Zander Clark, Craig Gordon (each Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)

Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)

Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)