Scotland Men's Football Team

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Over the past year, Craig Gordon granted BBC cameras unprecedented access to his life at the age of 42, as he attempted to reach a World Cup.

Along the way, we learned about his miracle saves and comebacks from injuries that should have ended his career, yet which allowed him to continue competing at the top level for so many years.

From a prodigy at Hearts to a record breaker in the Premier League and an invincible at Celtic, Gordon has had a career like no other, but there was one thing missing - being part of a World Cup.

To get there, he had to overcome opposition on the pitch as well as the limitations of his own body as he battled injuries to keep the dream alive.

Watch the Gordon edition of Icons of Football on BBC iPlayer

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In an emotional video, external posted by Hearts, Craig Gordon shared this message upon his retirement...

"Everyone has dreams. Mine were probably no different to most kids: play for my club and my country. Heart of Midlothian and Scotland.

"Improbable? Perhaps. Impossible? Absolutely not.

"Hard work, sacrifices, setbacks. Step by step, dreams become reality. From supporting Hearts to playing for Hearts.

"Years of hard work can never fully prepare you. You want to do yourself proud, you want to do your family proud, you want to do the fans proud.

"There's nothing better than walking out here at Tynecastle, hearing Gorgie roar and celebrating a victory. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy many of them.

"Some brought Edinburgh bragging rights, some brought trophies, some brought European memories. All of them special because I got to share them with the fans.

"I'm not much of a singer, but I improved a little after 84 renditions of the national anthem. The biggest names, at the biggest stadiums, on the biggest stages - I've savoured every moment of it.

"I've never wanted it to end, but end it must. I have lived my dreams and for that, I'm so thankful.

"Thankful for my team-mates and coaches pushing me all the way. Thankful for my opponents for spurring me on. Thankful for the medical staff who have worked with me throughout the years. Thankful to my loved ones for their support. And thankful to the fans for being behind me for 24 years.

"But now the gloves are finally off, and I bid farewell to my playing career. You, the fans have given me everything, and it has been a privilege to represent you.

"I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

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Scotland and Hearts great Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 41-year-old began his footballing journey when he joined the Tynecastle club's academy in 1999, and what followed was a hugely successful career.

In terms of silverware, Gordon won six Scottish top-flight titles with Celtic as well as five League Cups and three Scottish Cups - the latter a trophy he also lifted with Hearts.

Internationally, the goalkeeper earned 84 caps for the Scottish national team and was part of the squad that took Scotland to their first World Cup in almost 30 years.

As the goalkeeper hangs up his gloves, send us your thoughts on Gordon's career.

Ross County forward Brian Graham suggests his former Falkirk manager John McGlynn as Scotland manager. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Findlay Curtis wants to "showcase my talent in Europe on the biggest stage" for Rangers after living "every kid's dream" by playing for his country at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old winger became the youngest Scot to play at a World Cup finals when he came on a substitute in the victory over Haiti.

And he believes it was reward for pushing to be sent on loan to Kilmarnock.

"If you go and do really well, it will stand you in good stead and, even if you do bad, you get learning experiences," Curtis told Rangers TV after scoring the equaliser with a cross-come-shot in a 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at their pre-season training camp in Spain.

"It's been unbelievable between January and now, going to Killie and doing really well and I couldn't thank them enough for what they've down for me and that leading to the World Cup squad.

"It was quite daunting at the start coming away from a big club like this, but you have to relish it and need to be confident in yourself.

"It stood me in good stead and I can't wait to get going this season."

Curtis joked that Kilmarnock started winning as soon as he arrived as he helped Neil McCann's side steer clear of relegation trouble and thought the biggest improvement was on the "mental side" of his game.

After an "emotional" exit from Rugby Park, he is back at Ibrox and aiming for a starting place under new manager Derek McInnes.

"You can't really sit on the bench at this age," he said. "You need to go and showcase your talent and I want to do that in Europe on the biggest stage."

As for his World Cup experience, Curtis added: "It's obviously every kid's dream.

"It was some experience going over there to America and hopefully there's more to come.

"It's a shame the results didn't go our way, but we'll be back, definitely."

Swedish league leaders Sirius have rejected a £3.3m offer from Lecce for in-form former Scotland Under-21 striker Robbie Ure and believe they can get at least double that for the 22-year-old. (Daily Record, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Scotland set piece coach Andrew Hughes is taking on the same role at Athletic Bilbao. (Training Ground Guru, external)

Hellas Verona sporting director Sean Sogliano admits they will listen to offers for 23-year-old Scotland striker Keiron Bowie - but only at the right price. (Daily Record, external)

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi says the Serie A club will hold talks with Che Adams when he returns from his holiday following his World Cup duty with Scotland to find out if the 29-year-old striker wants to remain at the club. (Scotsman - subscription required, external)

Bologna, Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt have all expressed an interest in 23-year-old Rangers and Scotland midfielder Connor Barron. (Sky Sports, external)

Scotland centre-half John Souttar has been left out of the Rangers squad travelling to Spain for a pre-season training camp and is expected to leave Ibrox this summer. (Glasgow Times, external)

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Former Scotland captain Scott Brown says he is "devastated" by the departure of head coach Steve Clarke.

The 62-year-old chose to resign after failing to progress beyond the World Cup group stage.

Having taken on the job in 2019, Clarke took Scotland to the 2020 and 2024 Euros as well as ending a 28-year wait for a World Cup return.

"I'm devastated, because I think if you look in the history books of Scotland, nobody's made two Euros and a World Cup as a manager, whether they like your style or they don't," Brown told BBC Scotland.

"I feel for Steve because he's done something that the country's never done. We didn't get out of the group stages, we've never been out of the group stages before. We've only won five World Cup games ever. So take everything that Steve's done as unbelievable, and the criticism that he gets, it's not nice for him.

"I did love the Tartan Army in America. It shows you we need to be at tournaments, but you've got to earn the right to get there.

"I never had the opportunity to play at a Euros or a World Cup, so for that group of players it's been an unbelievable achievement."

Former Kenya and Uganda head coach Bobby Williamson said this week that he had lined up Brown, along with Ally McCoist and Kevin Thomson, as his assistants in a bid to be Scotland's new head coach.

"You see my name in the betting lists for everything these days," said Brown, who left the Ayr United manager's post in March.

"I'm all right now. I'm quite enjoying doing the telly, I'm quite enjoying being free at this moment in time."