Scotland’s ‘remarkable’ history maker backed to break ex-Liverpool stopper's 16-year World Cup record
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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.Craig Gordon is officially the oldest player at this summer’s World Cup. | Getty ImagesThe 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. Good goalkeeping.“I enjoy records, and technically, my record is for being the oldest debutant in a competitive World Cup match.
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,” said James.