Greece v Scotland: Craig Gordon ready to start World Cup qualifier

Clark had showed loyalty to Gunn despite the 29-year-old himself being frozen out at Nottingham Forest after his summer switch from Norwich City.

Gordon’s experience dwarfs that of the other remaining goalkeepers in Clark’s squad, although the former Celtic and Sunderland number one did concede Bain is “a little bit ahead in terms of match practice”.

Having made his Scotland debut in 2004, Gordon’s last appearance came in a 3-0 home defeat by Greece in March.

The Scots avenged that Nations League play-off loss with a 3-1 victory at Hampden last month and the Greeks are no longer in the running for a top-two spot in Group C.

“We’ve played them quite a few times recently and mixed results,” Gordon said. “They’re a very good team. Really good going forward, with great, creative players.

“It’s going to be a real tough one, regardless of whether they’re already out or not. They’ve named nearly the same squad, so they’re still going with the same players again.”

Gordon was in the Scotland squad for the delayed 2020 European Championship but did not play and was then omitted for the 2024 tournament in Germany.

Turning 43 next month, he knows this will be his last chance to play in a major finals and it would fulfill a lifelong dream to play on the biggest stage of all.

“To manage to go to a World Cup, it’s everybody’s dream,” he added. “There’s quite a few guys approaching 30 or just over. So you’re not going to get many more opportunities.

“This is a big one. We’ve managed to get to a couple of Euros in a row, so everybody’s motivation for this couldn’t possibly be higher.”