FORMER Celtic keeper Craig Gordon rolled back the years as he defied Cristiano Ronaldo and Co to help Scotland to a goalless draw at Hampden last night.
The 41-year-old shotstopper was unbeatable as Steve Clarke’s men won their first point in the UEFA Nations League at the fourth attempt.
The Scots went into the match after three odd-goal defeats, 2-1 against the Portuguese in Lisbon, 3-2 to Poland in Glasgow and 2-1 to Croatia in Zagreb.
Gordon was back at his happy hunting ground where he picked up EIGHT Cup-winners’ medals with the Hoops, comprised of five League Cups and three Scottish Cups.
SMILES BETTER…Craig Gordon after the scoreless stalemate with Portugal at Hampden.
The evergreen netminder, who also lifted six titles at Parkhead, capped a solid performance against Portugal when he dived to his right to smother a close-range drive from Bruno Fernandes in the 87th minute.
A beaming Gordon, speaking to BBC Sport afterwards, said: “It felt good, everybody was chucking their body in front of things at different stages in the game.
“A real team effort to get through that and preserve the clean sheet and very happy to be part of it.
“The effort’s been there, the boys are trying to give everything to get that win. It’s going to be so difficult when you are playing the opposition of the calibre we are.
“We are happy with the point, we created a few chances of our own, we could have nicked the game. It’s going to take all of that and more to try and get a win.”
Ronaldo, making his Hampden debut at the age of 39, hogged the headlines at full-time with his childish antics as he gesticulated theatrically and comically on his way to the tunnel, but it was Gordon, now with Hearts, and his team-mates who deserved the applause of the home support.
HAMPDEN WINNER…keeper Craig Gordon and skipper Scott Brown celebrate Celtic’s 3-0 League Cup Final win over Aberdeen in 2016.
Steve Clarke’s side had gone into the encounter without a win in their last eight competitive matches and the unfortunate sequence continued, but there was much for the manager to ponder.
The international team chief told Sky Sports: “It’s not about turning a corner, it’s just about working hard and not letting the country down.
“The point was important for us after the work the group put in to get off the mark.
“Defensively sound. The shape of the team was good. We denied a lot of space in behind. Good concentration in the box, determined defending at times, some really good blocks, which you need against sides like Portugal.
“Everyone contributed to earn the point.
“Everyone keeps talking about confidence, but they know they can play well. We maybe didn’t play as well as we could on the ball, which could be down to fatigue.
“But I don’t think they lack confidence.”
Scotland host Croatia at Hampden on Friday November 15 in their next Nations League outing.
