Who could follow as Gordon leaves Scotland as a legend?

What the report says

BBC Sport Scotland reports that Craig Gordon has ended his playing career at 43, closing a 25-year spell that made him one of the defining Scottish goalkeepers of the modern era. Gordon, whose Hearts contract had expired, retires after reaching this summer’s World Cup finals with Scotland despite years of serious injury setbacks, including a double leg break suffered at 39.

The report frames Gordon’s legacy through his longevity, resilience and status at club and international level. He played for Heart of Midlothian, Celtic, Sunderland and Scotland, beginning his senior career with Hearts and later returning to Tynecastle. Sunderland paid Hearts £9m for him in 2007, a British record fee for a goalkeeper at the time. Gordon finished with 84 Scotland caps, seven fewer than Jim Leighton’s national goalkeeping record, with injuries and competition from David Marshall, Allan McGregor and Angus Gunn limiting his total.

BBC Sport says former coaches, players and supporters have described Gordon as calm, consistent and among Scotland’s finest goalkeepers. His career included major silverware at Celtic, a prominent role with Hearts, and a late-career return to the Scotland squad. The article also notes that his retirement comes at a moment of uncertainty for the national team’s goalkeeping depth.

Angus Gunn is currently Scotland’s first-choice option and will hope for more playing time after moving to San Jose Earthquakes. Other possible challengers mentioned by BBC Sport include Liam Kelly, Cieran Slicker, Scott Bain and Jon McCracken, though contributors to the report suggested none yet carries Gordon’s experience or stature.