Craig Gordon has opened up on the knock he took against Motherwell as he declared: 'I'm okay' in a major boost to Scotland.
Steve Clarke has already lost experienced Jon McLaughlin for the triple-header after the Rangers No1 missed his last two club games through injury. Liam Kelly and Robby McCrorie - who has been called-up - will play back-up to the veteran Hearts No1 for the showdowns with Ukraine and Republic of Ireland over a six day period.
There was a bit of concern when the 39-year-old took a knock during Sunday's 3-0 Premiership win at Fir Park. Lawrence Shankland and Alan Forrest were the men on target, just like last week's Europa Conference League win over RFS in Riga. Robbie Neilson revealed post-match that the goalkeeper should be fine for the national team and now Gordon himself has confirmed his availability as he opened up what happened.
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He said: "I’m okay. It was a bit of a bang. It was a contact when the ball came in from the corner. It was just bruising so the next few days should be fine.
“It’s sore at the moment but these knocks settle quite quickly. I will be alright for Scotland.”
On Hearts' season to date, speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he added: “Last season was great for me personally but it took a little while over the summer [to recover] because I didn’t get much of a break,” he said.
“It felt like more of a struggle coming back into pre-season so early. But I do feel the more I get into a run of games then keeping playing is the best way of keeping my fitness and my form up.
“I feel good. That was only our second clean sheet of the season and I’d like a few more of those. But two back to back is pleasing and the squad is getting back to fitness so there are a lot of positive signs.”
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