Hearts: Craig Gordon has ‘good opportunity’ to make Euro 2024 – Steven Naismith

Craig Gordon has not played since Christmas Eve 2022 after a double leg break

Steven Naismith is challenging his Hearts players to do all they can to be part of Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad, including goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

The 40-year-old is now “consistently training” and played for a half in a bounce game last week after breaking his leg in two places nine months ago.

Prior to the injury, Gordon had been Scotland’s established first choice.

Asked if the veteran could force his way back into the international fold, Naismith said: “Yes, I’d say so.”

The Tynecastle head coach added: “He’s at the stage of getting minutes, we need games for him to play in and build those minutes up, then that gives him a good opportunity.

“For everybody that’s in and around the Scotland squad, on the fringes of the national team, there’s your target. Play well for the rest of the season and give yourself a chance of getting to the Euros.

“We’ve got Zander Clark and Lawrence Shankland who will want to do what they can to get in that squad.

“Craig has had an unbelievable career, with that experience, that knowledge.

“Being back on the pitch is good, because some of the boys who have come in haven’t trained with him and they get to see his qualities. That inevitably brings respect.”

While Gordon has been capped 74 times since his debut in 2004, his club replacement Clark made his first Scotland appearance as a half-time replacement in Wednesday’s 4-1 friendly loss to France.

“You could see how proud he was,” said Naismith. “It’s a massive thing, so credit to him and Liam Kelly. They always turn up, they’re on call when needed. They are team players and you just need to look at the reaction from the rest of the squad over them making their debuts.

“Zander has sacrificed a lot to be in camps and not got a lot of reward in individual terms but he’s been around a brilliant group.

“When there’s decisions to be made, I’ll make them. I’m comfortable with that. I’ve got three fantastic goalkeepers here [Michael McGovern is currently back-up to Clark] who all understand the nature of football and being in squad, and secondly, where they’re all at.”

‘Clarke a calm coach with clear plan’

Naismith has played and coached under Steve Clarke and praised the Scotland boss for his “calmness” and having a “clear plan”.

“He inherited a squad that was bursting with potential and he had an understanding of what this could be,” said Naismith.

“At each stage he has picked a realistic goal. At the start of this qualifying campaign he had a real belief we could get through it.

“Now, it’s can we get through the group [at the Euros]? I think there’s a realistic chance we can.

“He’s been brilliant at setting targets that people can buy into.”