Steven Pressley reckons Craig Gordon is so good he’s single handedly blown him out of the Hearts history books.
And the former Jambos skipper is no doubt the 39-year-old still has many more chapters to write in his own storied career. Almost two decades have passed since the goalkeeper made his Scotland debut in a 4-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago in a side containing his club captain.
Fast-forward more than 18 years and the shotstopper has jumped to sixth in the all-time Scottish caps record table while also passing Pressley to become the most capped Jambo of all-time - with 33 of his 73 appearances coming while at Tynecastle. Not only that but at club level Gordon also equalled Pressley’s record for European appearances this month when he ran out for his 22nd Euro game for Hearts against Istanbul Basaksehir. It’s been a remarkable journey for the keeper who lost over two years of his career to a serious knee injury a decade ago.
But Pressley, who hung up the boots at 35, is in no doubt Gordon can go on for at least another qualifying campaign and continue smashing records along the way.
Gordon could win a 74th cap against Turkey tomorrow night and move to within two of Paul McStay in fifth in the all-time list.
And Pressley said: “I remember Craig making his debut. It was a typical performance from him. He was so young but he just took it in his stride.
“There wasn’t a great nervousness about him. He was very controlled in the game, very assured.
“The amazing thing is that, though he has accumulated so many caps since then, there was a period where he missed out through serious injury.
“And there have also been several periods where he has lost the No1 jersey. So to accumulate that many caps is some achievement.
“I used to tell my kids that I held a couple of records, but Craig Gordon keeps smashing them! I’ve got no real bragging rights anymore.
“I no longer have any records at Hearts. He has blown them all away. That’s me eradicated from the club’s history books. I need to thank him for that!
“But you don’t mind losing them to somebody that I would consider to be a real Scottish great.
“One of my many regrets was, in hindsight, I probably retired too early. My experience now is that you miss it. You’re a long time retired.
“I would say to Craig Gordon not to be thinking of his next career but to be thinking ‘how long can I continue to play for?’
“There are a number of potential targets and records that he would like to smash and I’m pretty sure that they will be a driving force behind him.
“I think he’ll still be hungry to break a lot of records. And that’s a great thing.
“The one thing that is probably missing from his Scotland career so far, he has never really played as the No 1 in a major finals.
“I’m sure that is a burning desire of his. It would be a nice way for him to potentially bow out of his international career … if he wants to.”
Pressley sparked a debate two years ago when he stated Gordon was the best keeper he’d played with - even eclipsing the late, great Andy Goram.
Ex-Rangers defender John Brown said he was talking out his backside but Pressley means it from bottom of his heart when he says nobody tops the current Tynecastle skipper who he rates right up there with the Gigi Buffons of the goalkeeping world.
He said: “I was fortunate to play with some really top-level goalkeepers - one of them, Andy Goram, would be considered among Scotland’s best.
“I played with the likes of Antti Niemi and several other very high-level goalkeepers. But I can honestly say that Craig would be the standout goalkeeper I have worked with.
“Even Artur Boruc during his period at Celtic was very highly-regarded but I think Craig stands above them all.
“When I said this before, John Brown came out and said I was talking out of my behind, but I can honestly say that Craig was the best goalkeeper I was fortunate enough to play with.
“When you look at the size and presence of him as a goalkeeper, he has an incredible ability to spread himself.
“One of the things he has always had is the ability to do the splits in a one-on-one situation.
“When you’re the size of Craig and you can create that star shape that was so prominent in Peter Schmeichel’s great years - he was reminiscent of him in many ways in those types of one-on-one situations.
“But also, he has an excellent temperament for a goalkeeper. He’s not overly aggressive, he’s not an in-your-face type guy. He has a very calm, unflappable personality.
“I think that’s very suited to being a goalkeeper because the one thing that’s required of a goalkeeper is the ability to bounce back from mistakes and not be fazed by them.
“Craig has a brilliant personality for that. His technical qualities are really high, but what separates many goalkeepers from the rest is their temperament. I think Craig has a really good goalkeeping temperament .
“He has performed in games at the highest level and not just over a short period. It has been a sustained period.
“He has to be exceptionally proud of what he has achieved.
“Craig Gordon wouldn’t look out of place alongside any of the great goalkeepers.”
