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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ryan Carroll

Craig Gordon set to train with Hearts kids in bid to stay fit for Scotland Euro 2020 duty

Craig Gordon has revealed he plans to lean on the Hearts kids and his goalkeeping coach to keep himself sharp for this summer's European Championships.

Gordon will be out of action until he joins up with Scotland for their pre-tournament friendlies against the Netherlands and Luxembourg in June, after the Jambos season ended with a 4-0 win at Raith Rovers on Friday night.

Until then he's set to train with the Under 18s at Tynecastle, while Paul Gallagher will be putting him through his paces to keep him ticking over.

Gordon said: "‘I’ve spoken to Paul Gallagher and he’s going to take a few sessions during the week..

“The Scotland guys have been great too. The sports scientists have been on the phone, getting plans together for us to use the gym facilities.

"We have a good plan to keep us going over the next few weeks. It’s going to keep us very fit and ready to go. I’m looking forward to it.”

Scotland have reached their first major tournament in over 20 years, but Gordon isn't content in just taking part at Euro 2020 next month.

He added: “We have waited so long so why not go and give it a go? It would be nice to qualify from our group and be the first Scotland team to do that.

“Yes we have not qualified for so long but let’s go there with a bit of confidence and try and do something that no other Scottish team has done before. We have to try and do that.

“We know it will be difficult but that is definitely the aim, to get through the group. We know we are outsiders but we do have a confidence in our ability as a squad. There’s a togetherness about us too so you never know what can happen.

At 38, Gordon admits he thought his chance at playing at a finals had gone, having come close many times before but never quite making it.

He said: “Yes of course (I feared it wouldn’t happen). You go into every campaign trying to make it happen and it’s been difficult. It’s been a long time since we last qualified for a major finals. We have to enjoy it but at the same time we want to do well.

“We have good players and a good spirit in the group. That puts us in a good position to go and compete.

“We will give it everything we have got and see what we can do.”

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