Craig Gordon: 'I don't want to turn it into a fight'

In April 2009, Craig Gordon benefited from Allan McGregor's part in the Boozegate affair by unexpectedly stepping in to represent Scotland against Iceland. The Sunderland goalkeeper turned in a match-winning performance and seemingly demonstrated his superiority over his Rangers counterpart. Now, as was the case 18 months ago, Gordon is not featuring for his club side having recovered from a broken arm. Britain's most expensive goalkeeper has not been afforded a similar break at international level, though; Craig Levein confirmed last week that the in-form McGregor will start for Scotland in Prague on Friday. "The news that Allan would be playing was a little bit disappointing but I understand why the manager did it," Gordon says. "He wouldn't want the media circus that would go on all week around the decision over which goalkeeper was playing. That would have become the big talking point. So Craig knocked it on the head but it is a little bit frustrating that I wasn't to get the chance to show I was ready." Gordon knows an opportunity may arise, if not against the Czech Republic then perhaps when Spain visit Glasgow on Tuesday. McGregor, while expected to recover over the next 24 hours, has an adductor problem and is also hovering close to a suspension. "I am confident enough I could pull it off, I did it before in that Iceland game," Gordon says. "As I said, I understand fully why the manager did what he did but if he does need me then I am ready. Allan is struggling a bit with an injury, he is sitting on a booking; even if I am needed to step in for Spain then I am OK to do so. If I come here and don't play at all then my comeback will have stagnated a little bit. But that is the nature of international football and something I have to deal with. I am not giving up hope that I will get at least one opportunity." Gordon and McGregor may have progressed through Edinburgh's school football system at the same time, yet they have little in common and are not particularly close. Gordon has not made a single headline on account of off-field antics, primarily. "The first two qualifying games [against Lithuania and Liechtenstein] have been fairly comfortable for Allan but he went about his job well," Gordon says. "He has done things with the minimum of fuss, which is often what goalkeeping is about, and kept himself under the radar." That final comment is notable, of course, given McGregor's high-profile behaviour of the past. Nonetheless, these players are now embroiled in a genuine battle for Levein's custodian jersey. "I have never taken my place for granted, I never did that during my previous 39 caps," Gordon explains. "I want to do well, I want the country to do well and of course I want to play. But Allan wants to play as well. I don't want to turn it into a fight between us, but it is natural that I want to play for my country." Gordon is relaxed about his situation at the Stadium of Light – and full of praise for his understudy, Simon Mignolet. The 27-year-old also disputes any suggestion of a stigma attached to a player of his worth sitting among substitutes as, barring a late setback for McGregor, will be the case tomorrow. "I have done well to get back," he says. "It will be 12 weeks on Thursday since I picked up the injury and everyone wrote me off for being involved in these games at all. It wasn't so long ago that I read I would miss Scotland's four opening qualifying games so I will treat the fact I have made it back as a positive. At most stages through my rehab, I didn't think I would make it here because it was always going to be tight but I used these games as a target. I am happy to be here; now I would love to play."