He faced a choice: push on and attempt to play, or protect his long-term health for the sake of his children. Had Scotland not qualified for the tournament, he believes he would have retired at the end of last season.
Instead, he was between the posts at Hampden on the night Scotland defeated Denmark 4-2 in November, a result that sent the nation to their first FIFA World Cup in 28 years. Gordon played only six times in the season — three for Hearts, three for Scotland — but that match stood apart from all others.
