CRAIG Gordon has revealed that seeing global sports superstars like Gianluigi Buffon and Tom Brady playing at a high level into their forties is inspiring him to keep performing well for Hearts and Scotland.
Gordon was named Man of the Match after helping the Tynecastle club earn a 0-0 draw with Hibs in the opening Edinburgh derby of the new season in Gorgie yesterday.
The 38-year-old, who won his 60th cap for Scotland in the 1-0 triumph over Austria on Tuesday night in Vienna, produced vital saves from Martin Boyle in the first-half and Kyle Magennis in the second.
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson is convinced the former Sunderland and Celtic player can maintain his current form with both club and country for another four years if he stays clear of injury.
Gordon admitted that seeing his fellow goalkeeper Buffon and American football quarterback Brady defy their advancing years make him believe that he is capable of doing so.
Buffon, who won 176 caps for Italy and is currently skipper of Serie B club Parma, and Brady, who won his seventh Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers last year, are both 43.
“It shows it can be done,” said the Scot. “I saw Buffon sprinting the length of the pitch to join in a goal celebration the other day. I don't know if I've quite got that in the legs, but it's definitely a motivation to see these guys still playing. In other sports as well.
“Tom Brady is playing American football well into his forties. Quarterbacks, like goalkeepers, can do that. There is inspiration out there for people to do it into their forties. So why not give it a go?
"I feel okay at the moment. I just have to see how long I can last that out. I feel good as long as I get my training regime right. I've hardly missed a training session since I've been back at Hearts over a year and a half now.
“If I can stay injury free then why not? I’ll see how long I can go. I have this year left on my contract, I’ll keep going as long as I can.”
Gordon kept his third consecutive clean sheet against Hibs yesterday – the Hearts player had also kept the ball out of his net in the Scotland wins over Moldova and Austria last week.
He confessed that he is determined to maintain his current form and keep his place in the national side ahead of their huge Qatar 2022 qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands next month.
"I always want to do well in every game,” he said. “I love captaining Hearts, being back here and giving my all for this team. If I can keep doing that then I give myself the opportunity at international level.
“It's been a good last couple of results with a few clean sheets so hopefully we can keep that going on both fronts. It's pleasing, but it's all about working hard and making sure it stays that way. I know what football's like; it can turn very quickly so it's back to work."
Gordon continued: “It’s been a big few weeks. I have a few days off now and that’s needed, especially at my age. These were four very intense games in a row, but I’ve shown I can still stand up to that.
“So it’s good for me personally to know I can still play to that intensity, game after game, and still perform. I feel good about myself from that point of view so I’ll keep going, but right now it’s about resting up.”
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