Changing nappies at 43. Maybe that is the real reason Craig Gordon was so desperate to get to America for this World Cup. It is not, of course, because if there is one thing that makes you feel young again, it is looking after a new baby. Incredibly, Gordon has an eight-week-old child at home, along with two other sons. For now, middle-of-the-night feeds and struggling for decent sleep have been left behind. The small matter of playing for Scotland at a World Cup has seen to that.
A 25-Year Career Defying Father Time
At this stage, after a 25-year top-level career, Gordon should be starting to feel his age. He is the oldest player at this tournament, after all. But the Hearts legendary keeper insists looking after three kids ensures that is not the case. Just by being in the US as part of Steve Clarke's squad, Gordon is not just an inspiration to his own children. He is a role model for every young goalkeeper out there looking to make their way in the game. More importantly, he is an icon for people of any age. He is a shining example of what can be achieved against the odds, irrespective of how old you are.
Speaking at the Scotland team's US base-camp in Charlotte, North Carolina ahead of this weekend's Group C opener against Haiti, Gordon said: "My son is just over eight weeks old now. So that is definitely going to keep me young for a few more years yet. There are still a few sleepless nights and a few nappies to change. So no matter what happens after the World Cup, I will be staying young and I still have plenty to do."
Age Is Just a Number
"I hope I am showing older guys and older people that age is just a number. If you put your mind to it, your body can still do amazing things. I want to be that inspiration for people, to know that as you get older you can still perform to a very high level if you are willing to put in the work and the time that it takes. I am always striving to improve, to keep doing what it takes to get better. Obviously as you get older, things get more difficult. But it is about finding ways to get round that. For me, it is about finding a balance to make sure that when I am called upon I am ready to go. We do not have to run up and down the pitch, which makes it a lot easier. But we are chucking ourselves on the ground day in, day out. So the robustness you need is slightly different."
A Remarkable Achievement
It is remarkable that Gordon, one of our greatest ever goalkeepers, is in America vying for a spot at the World Cup. Not only is he the oldest player at this tournament, but if he plays for Clarke's side, he will become the second-oldest in the competition's history, only behind Egyptian keeper Essam El Hadary. He has a genuine fight on his hands with Angus Gunn for the starting jersey against Haiti, even though his rival has been handed the number one squad number. But maybe for the only time in his life, even if Gordon does not feature, he will still feel like he has achieved something that looked impossible at different times in his career.
He said: "I always want to strive for the best I possibly can. Of course, I want to play here. But it is a bit of a triumph that I have even managed to make it here. Perhaps when I look back, that will be the overriding emotion. If that was to happen (don't play) I would still feel proud of myself. To be the oldest man at the tournament is something to be proud of, regardless of position. That is something that I would be really proud of. But at the moment, the full focus is on being the best I can be."
A Childhood Dream Realized
"I think playing at a World Cup is what every young kid wants. It is the biggest tournament you can be involved in. So as a youngster it is something I probably always dreamed of doing. To be able to say I have done it would definitely be something I would carry with me for the rest of my life." It feels like a 50/50 call for Clarke on who starts in goal against the Haitians. Both Gordon and Gunn have not played a lot of football in the season just past. Obviously, the Hearts man has more experience. But you could argue that Nottingham Forest's Gunn is more of a modern-day goalkeeper. It is a tough one for the manager. But Gordon's mentality is crystal clear. He still sees himself as Scotland's top keeper.
He said: "I think everybody has to think like that. I would like to think the other guys in the squad think the same. That does not mean to say that if the other guys play you do not support them, because we do. This is a country effort, everybody together. But you have to have that mindset to prepare properly, as if you are going to play and be number one."
