Scotland’s national team manager, Steve Clarke, made the tough decision to exclude veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon from the squad for Euro 2024. Gordon, 41, who made his debut for Scotland 20 years ago, came on as a substitute in their final warm-up match against Finland to become the oldest international player for his country. Despite his experience and dedication to the team, Clarke opted not to select him for the tournament.
Gordon’s exclusion was partly influenced by a serious leg injury he suffered at the end of 2022, which sidelined him until January of the following year. Despite his remarkable recovery and return to action, Clarke believed that Gordon had not been able to reclaim his position as the number one goalkeeper at Hearts, playing only seven games since December 2022. This lack of consistent playing time may have contributed to Clarke’s decision to leave him out of the Euro 2024 squad.
The Emotional Conversation
Clarke described the conversation with Gordon about his exclusion as emotional for both of them. Despite delivering the disappointing news to Gordon the night before the squad announcement, Clarke still asked him to be present on the bench for the final warm-up match against Finland. Gordon went on to earn his 75th cap for Scotland in that match, a testament to his commitment and loyalty to the team.
In addition to Gordon, Rangers defender John Souttar was also left out of the final squad for Euro 2024. Clarke had to make some adjustments to the provisional squad due to injuries, with Ben Doak and Lyndon Dykes being replaced by Tommy Conway and Lewis Morgan. The final squad for Scotland includes a mix of experienced players like Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay, as well as up-and-coming talents like Billy Gilmour and Che Adams.
Looking Ahead to Euro 2024
Scotland will face a challenging group stage in Euro 2024, with matches against hosts Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary. The team’s goal is to advance to the knockout stages of the tournament, which would be a historic achievement for Scottish football. With a mix of established stars and promising young players, Scotland will be looking to make their mark on the European stage and prove themselves against some of the top teams in the continent.
The exclusion of Craig Gordon from Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad is a decision that was made with careful consideration of various factors. While it may be a disappointment for Gordon and his fans, it is important for the team to move forward with the players who are best positioned to help them achieve success in the tournament. As Scotland prepares to face their rivals in Euro 2024, they will need to rely on the strength and unity of the squad to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.