Scotland’s ‘remarkable’ history maker backed to break ex-Liverpool stopper's 16-year World Cup record
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been backed to break a British record at the World Cup this summer.
Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been hailed as a ‘remarkable’ player and has been backed to break a 16-year British record at this summer’s World Cup.
Named as one of three goalkeepers in Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad for the tournament, Gordon is already Scotland’s oldest-ever international player, however, should he feature at the World Cup, he will officially become the second-oldest man to ever play in the competition, leaving Egypt's Essam El Hadary ahead of him following his appearance at the 2018 tournament aged 45 years and 161 days.
Expected to compete with Nottingham Forest’s Angus Gunn for the number one jersey for Scotland, the Hearts veteran is in line to break a 16-year British record, currently held by former Liverpool goalkeeper David James, if he plays at any point during the tournament.
The ex-England international currently holds the British record as the oldest player to make his World Cup debut, starting for England against Algeria at the age of 39 years and 320 days back in 2010. However, should Gordon feature, he will overtake him, and James admits he could only doff his cap if he smashes his record at the tournament.
“First of all, we don't know if he'll start,” said James. “But what's remarkable is that he's actually outlasted me by an entire World Cup cycle. I was 39 in 2010, but Craig is now 43. That's incredible longevity. My advice would simply be to keep doing what got you there in the first place. Good goalkeeping.
“I enjoy records, and technically, my record is for being the oldest debutant in a competitive World Cup match. The Egyptian goalkeeper who played at 43 came on in what was effectively a dead-rubber game. Not that I'm bitter! If Craig gets his chance, then fair play to him.”
James, who has previously worked as a pundit at several World Cups since his retirement, has also tipped one of Scotland’s pre-tournament friendly opponents as the dark horses for the competition. While France, Spain, and his former national side England, enter as the bookies’ top picks to win the tournament in North America, he believes one team few have mentioned can go deep into the latter stages.
“Yes, there's something good about Japan,” James told BetVictor. “Part of that comes from their game against England. It surprised people, but I don't think, aside from the Costa Rica match, Thomas Tuchel has been concerned about the results of friendlies. Friendlies don't really mean anything in the bigger picture.
“What matters is how players perform in the roles they've been asked to fulfil. I think Thomas was taking more from those performances than from the actual score line. Japan have been very consistent. They seem to be producing world-class talent across multiple sports. They've got the best baseball player in the world, one of the best basketball players, and they appear determined to build one of the best football teams, too.”
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