CRAIG GORDON today admitted he'll be eternally grateful to Scotland boss George Burley for the faith he showed in throwing him into the crunch World Cup clash with Iceland.
The former Hearts goalkeeper knew that both he and the ex-Tynecastle manager would be under the spotlight given the background to his recall, Burley dropping Allan McGregor and Barry Ferguson following their alleged drinking binge in the wake of the
defeat by Holland.
Gordon sat out that game having barely featured for Sunderland over the past few months but was drafted back in as Rangers No.1 McGregor was relegated to the bench alongside Ferguson.
And Gordon played his part, pulling off a tremendous double save in the final minutes as Iceland sought a second equaliser which would have dented Scotland's hopes of qualifying for South Africa next summer.
Admitting he had spent an emotionally draining evening at Hampden but boosted by the sound of the Tartan Army chanting his name, he said: "I was fairly nervous because it had been a while since I'd played a first-team game never mind an international match. It was all about proving myself again. I'd 35 caps before last night but I knew I was going to be under scrutiny having not played for such a long time – I was aware of that.
"But that's what international football is all about, proving yourself at the highest level and you never get tired of doing that. It was always going to be difficult but I was delighted to get through it and put in a good performance."
Gordon was made aware on the morning of the match that he'd be playing having suffered the disappointment of being left on the bench in Amsterdam but despite McGregor's indiscretion, he revealed he was by no means certain Burley would turn to him. He said: "Obviously we knew earlier than anyone else but we were hoping we could keep it quiet until after the game. However, it's not that easy in football circles. Things like that always tend to get out but, in saying that, we stuck together as a group and came out with a great result.
"Missing out in Holland was disappointing. The good thing was he told me early in the week which gave me a few days to soak it in, get my head round it and know what my role was going to be. Yesterday morning he took me aside and told me I'd be playing. He showed great faith in me to throw me in after not having a lot of first-team experience in the last few months.
"It was great to know he had confidence in me and was right behind me. The fact he showed so much faith in me and my ability is something I will always remember. Regardless of the situation it was a big call for him. He also had David Marshall, who has been playing in the first team at Norwich City, so for him to show me that backing was special for me." As such Gordon was delighted to have played his part, denying Hearts' Eggert Jonsson and then Iceland captain Hermann Hreidarsson in quick succession in that nerve-jangling finale.
He said: "I'd played one or two matches in four months so coming in was mentally draining out there. I'm not going to lie, it was difficult but that's part of being an international football player.
"You have that experience to call on when you need it. I've now done it 36 times and you use that experience to get through a game like that.
"Hearing the fans singing my name was a great big confidence boost. To have that in the national stadium is as good as anything for an international player, it was quite an emotional moment for me.
"As a goalkeeper you cannot go up the other end and score so you keep your end of the bargain, keep out as many as you can and then the team will always have a chance. Making those saves makes you feel you have contributed."
The full article contains 695 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
