Hearts star continues international goal frenzy as cryptic message sent over Jambo star's Scotland XI chances
One Hearts star his hit the goal trail internationally - as one’s Scotland starting chances are assessed.
A Hearts star has raised eyebrows with another international hat-trick - as Craig Gordon’s Scotland chances earn a cryptic response.
After victory over Belarus last time out sparked concern over performance, the Tartan Army are desperate for Steve Clarke’s side to move up the gears and secure automatic World Cup 2026 qualification this month. A draw in Greece on Saturday and victory at Hampden over Denmark would see the nation qualify out of their qualification group and into the hat for America, Canada and Mexico.
Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is one forward option but much debut surrounds the goalkeeper position, with number one Angus Gunn out. Despite not playing at Tynecastle this season, Gorgie hero Craig Gordon is the likely starter out of himself, Rangers’ Liam Kelly and Falkirk’s Scott Bain. Head coach Clarke, however, has given nothing away on whether or not the Hearts veteran will be his number one again.
Who will start as goalkeeper for Scotland vs Greece?
He said: “Craig is good. Liam is the same, despite not playing at Rangers but working ever so hard and training great. Scott Bain has come into the squad and shown that he’s benefitted from coming out of Celtic as the third goalkeeper and playing at Falkirk every week.
“No, it’s been good. Chris Woods (goalkeeper coach) has been happy with the three of them. My decision is based on who I feel is the best for the team on the night. The players knew the stakes were so high last time, which is maybe why they probably panicked a little bit during the Belarus game.
“They maybe lost sight of what they were actually trying to do which was win the game comfortably. Look, I spoke right at the very start with the first couple of squads I picked. I talked about getting experience into the squad and taking that experience onto the pitch at this level. I think you could see, in the games we didn’t play quite so well in at home, we managed to find a way to win. That’s a really good thing to have in your locker.”
Pierre Landry Kabore hat-trick for Burkina Faso
Elsewhere, Pierre Landry Kabore has continued his unstoppable form in Burkina Faso colours with another hat-trick. He scored a double in a win over Dundee earlier this month, having taken the match ball for his country in October during vitory over Ethiopia, all three goals coming in the second half.
That form has rolled into November with all the goals in a 3-2 success against Niger. His efforts put Burkina Faso 2-1 up before the break and the Hearts star found a winner just before the hour mark.
It continues sensational form in front of goal for the forward, who joined Hearts in the summer after a prolific stint in Estonia at Narva Trans. He’ll hope to continue his international form at Hearts, starting with next weekend’s Premiership clash with Aberdeen as a busy winter schedule kicks off for Derek McInnes’ side.