Craig Gordon acquired a medal from Willie Miller for reaching the 50-cap milestone.
Now he’s set to hitch the previous defender in Scotland’s all-time high 10 look listing by including one other 15 to his haul.
Gordon savours the landmarks however he’s not prepared to start out eating out on them. As an alternative the Hearts keeper desires to maintain chalking them up, scaling the following top.
On the age of 39, Steve Clarke’s No.1 is exhibiting few indicators of slowing. Gordon’s great type since returning to Tynecastle has cemented his spot as high decide for the nationwide coach.
It was 5 years in the past when Miller dished out the gong for the half century earlier than a pleasant towards Holland.
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Gordon will transfer degree with the ex-defender on 65 caps if he faces Poland on Thursday evening and he stated: “It’s fairly a giant one actually while you suppose again to the place I began again in 2004.
“I now have the prospect of entering into the highest 10 within the all-time listing. It’s nice to be getting in direction of that.
“Hopefully I've a couple of extra. I’ve not bought a quantity in thoughts that I need to cease at. So I would really like a couple of greater than that. However we’ll see the place it will get me.
“Willie offered me with my medal for my fiftieth cap and now right here I'm one other 15 caps later to hitch him on that determine. It’s fairly one thing.
“He congratulated me on initially reaching 50 caps but additionally on getting again into the Scotland squad after my first 39-40 caps the primary time round and earlier than the plain break within the center.
“He congratulated on attending to 50 and likewise on getting again to that degree after harm.
“It was a pleasant second to listen to that from somebody like him who had performed so many occasions for Scotland. It was fairly particular.
“I’m fortunate to have had that second and now be a part of him on the identical variety of caps ought to I be chosen on Thursday evening.
“As soon as I’m completed taking part in and truly look again and take inventory of all these items, it can sink in then. However in the mean time I nonetheless have that drive to maintain going for extra.
“However, sure, I do discover alongside the way in which particular moments like this one and it's fairly particular to get into the highest 10.”
Gordon, after all, may have had simpler methods to rejoice the milestone than going through one of many world’s most deadly marksmen.
Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Polish assault and though the Scots keeper did as soon as maintain him out for Bayern Munich as a Celtic participant, the prolific striker is a person who may damage his night.
Gordon stated: “I stored him out however there have been three different targets that went in so it wasn’t that nice an evening!
“He's incredible although. There doesn’t appear to be any weak point in any way in his sport. It’s nice to play towards these gamers. Hopefully we are able to maintain him out, not many have.”
Former Scotland striker Steve Archibald charges Lewandowski as the most effective on the planet and Gordon added: “It’s exhausting to disagree with that. As a No.9 he can do the whole lot.”
Gordon will want some safety from his backline towards the hitman and there’s one other acquainted face within the ranks to help.
Whereas he's at one finish of the Scotland profession spectrum, Hearts pal Craig Halkett is on the different with the defender incomes his first name into the squad.
Gordon is thrilled for the Jambos stopper and stated: “He’s an incredible defender. he’s going to chuck his physique in entrance of the whole lot.
“He’s actually dedicated to the trigger. That's precisely what you want. His growth over the previous couple of years and definitely since he has come to Hearts has been so constant.
“I’m delighted for him to be right here. I'm certain he's trying ahead to getting some minutes on the pitch and hopefully that first cap. I do know it can imply an terrible lot to him.
“Stepping as much as this degree is a giant step up for certain nevertheless it’s one which I’m certain he can deal with.
“He’s already seemed good within the few days of coaching that we’ve had so I believe it’s an thrilling time for him and hopefully he finishes it off this week with a while on the park.”
Bologna teen Aaron Hickey is one other beginner within the Scotland ranks with a Hearts connection having begun his senior profession in Gorgie earlier than transferring to the Serie A aspect.
And Gordon added: “It’s incredible the way in which he’s gone on the market and managed to adapt to play that fashion of soccer and to that way of life. How he’s handled the whole lot has been incredible and it's testomony to him.
“It’s nice to see him again in Scotland and he’ll be one other one who’s seeking to get that first cap.
“He’s a participant who can play in plenty of completely different positions so he provides us that versatility.
“His profession up to now, what number of video games he has managed to play in such a brief house of time going on the market, has been incredible.”
Gordon additionally spoke extremely of the opposite keepers within the squad, Liam Kelly and Zander Clark. He stated: “They’re each doing effectively at their golf equipment, making plenty of saves and developing shut behind on that variety of saves desk.
“I’ll want to verify my performances are nonetheless at a really excessive commonplace to maintain them behind me.”