Steve Clarke weighs in on Craig Gordon Hearts loan debate as Scotland stars discuss moves
Manager has advised some his squad but keeper isn’t one of them
Steve Clarke has spoken with several Scotland squad members about investigating loan moves elsewhere as the issue of playing time becomes ever more critical before this summer’s World Cup.
However, this group has not included veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon. The 42-year-old has not tasted a single minute of first-team action for Hearts this season and would appear to be top of the list of those desperately needing competitive football as he bids to keep the No 1 jersey ahead of Scotland’s Group C games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
Gordon came in from the cold in November against Greece and Denmark after an injury to Angus Gunn as Scotland secured their place in North America. It’s been suggested that he is now first-choice again having performed very capably in Gunn’s absence.
Gunn is one of those Clarke has likely spoken to about ensuring he can arrange a move away from his current club, Nottingham Forest. Even prior to his recent knee ligament injury he hadn’t featured for the Premier League side, and had slipped to third choice.
“I’ve had one or two conversations with some players in that respect, to say it’s better for them if they are playing,” Clarke said. “I always say the September, October, November camps you get away with not playing because you can come away with Scotland and you might get minutes, and then you go back to your club and you don’t play. It’s quite quick. But from November to March is a long time without playing football. They need to get minutes on the pitch, as many minutes as they can.”
Clarke has concluded there is little point talking to Gordon, who he suspects is needed by Hearts. Although he has been linked with a loan move away in January, and Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay recently indicated they would be led by what Gordon wanted to do, Clarke believes the Tynecastle club's title ambitions will trump any desire to help the ‘keeper enhance his international ambitions.
“I haven’t spoken to Craig,” he said. “He’s one of the ones I haven’t spoken to because he’s in a particular situation. I don’t think Hearts will let him go. Why would you, if you’re going for the title? Why would you let your No.2 or your back-up goalkeeper go?”
Gordon has been understudying Alexander Schwolow since recovering from a neck and shoulder injury and has been left on the sidelines due to the German ‘keeper’s good form for the current league leaders.
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