Scotland keeper Gordon retires

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from football, bringing an end to a 25-year playing career.

Gordon, 43, ended his second spell at first club Heart of Midlothian this summer and was part of Scotland's World Cup squad.

He first left Tynecastle for Sunderland in 2007, with the Black Cats paying a then £9m British record fee for a goalkeeper. Gordon made one of the most famous saves in Premier League history when he denied Bolton Wanderers' Zat Knight from close range in 2010.

However, a serious knee injury affected his time at the Stadium of Light and, at the end of his five-year spell, he entered a two-year spell out of the game rehabilitating and coaching.

Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 and won his first league title, adding four more during a medal-laden six-year spell before returning to Hearts. A double leg break in 2022 resulted in another lay-off but the veteran keeper again recovered to return to playing.

He first represented Scotland in 2004 and amassed a total of 84 senior caps. Combined with his club appearances, Gordon played 766 first-team games, including 13 on loan at Cowdenbeath in season 2001-02.

His last appearance came in Scotland's pre-World Cup win over Curacao in May, his final Hearts game coming in a 2-2 draw with former club Celtic in January.

Gordon kept 30 clean sheets at international level and picked up shutouts in around two thirds of his club appearances.

And the Edinburgh native is expected to bid farewell to the Hearts support at Friday's friendly with Rayo Vallecano at Tynecastle.

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