Gordon back in squad despite lack of first-team action

CRAIG Levein has named Craig Gordon in his latest Scotland squad despite the goalkeeper not having played a first-team match for Sunderland in over a year.

Gordon has slipped down the pecking order for club and country since breaking his arm for a second time in nine months in 2010. A knee injury has further hampered his career at the Stadium of Light and new manager Martin O’Neill recently suggested that time is running out for the 29 year old at the club.

However, Levein’s decision to include the 40-times capped goalkeeper in his squad for next Wednesday’s friendly in Slovenia is sure to be a boost for Gordon, whose Sunderland contract expires at the end of this season. Gordon returned to reserve team action in January after 11 months out following his latest injury but has not played first-team game since a home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on 12 February, 2011. His last Scotland appearance came in a 3-0 friendly win over the Faroe Isles in November 2010.

“He’s an important player for us,” said Levein. “He’s had a terrible time with injury but he’s back playing reserve matches and it’s a good time to get him involved.

“At this moment in time Allan McGregor is my No 1 choice, and that’s partly because Craig has been out so long,” Levein added. “For me there is nothing between the two of them. I hope Craig can get back to the level he was at and then I have a difficult, but tremendous, decision to make as a manager when picking between players of such quality.”