Gordon, 42, returns for Scotland's World Cup qualifiers

Craig Gordon's recall adds experienced cover in goal ahead of Scotland's Hampden double-header. Punters may lean towards Scotland to beat Belarus at home and back under 2.5 goals across the two fixtures, while goalkeeping minutes suggest caution on clean-sheet markets — consider small stakes on Scotland win and both-teams-to-score options.

Scotland recall Craig Gordon for crucial World Cup qualifiers

Steve Clarke has recalled 42-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon to his Scotland squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Gordon replaces Hearts team-mate Zander Clark, with both shotstoppers having struggled for minutes so far this season. Gordon has only recently recovered from a neck injury and is yet to play for his club this term; Clark has not featured since August.

Goalkeeping situation raises selection questions

Clarke's goalkeeping options are short on match action. Angus Gunn kept back-to-back clean sheets in Scotland's opening two games but has not played for Nottingham Forest this season. Rangers' Liam Kelly has featured only in a League Cup tie. The recall of Gordon brings experience but also underlines a lack of regular minutes across the depth chart.

Squad revealed: who made the 23-man cut

Goalkeepers

- Craig Gordon (Hearts) - Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest) - Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders

- Grant Hanley (Hibernian) - Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq) - Aaron Hickey (Brentford) - Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb) - Anthony Ralston (Celtic) - Andy Robertson (Liverpool) - John Souttar (Rangers) - Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders

- Ryan Christie (Bournemouth) - Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) - Ben Gannon Doak (Bournemouth) - Billy Gilmour (Napoli) - John McGinn (Aston Villa) - Kenny McLean (Norwich) - Scott McTominay (Napoli) - Lennon Miller (Udinese)

Forwards

- Che Adams (Torino) - Kieron Bowie (Hibernian) - Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham) - George Hirst (Ipswich)

How the World Cup campaign has started

Scotland picked up four points from their opening two qualifiers, drawing away to top-seeds Denmark before winning 2-0 in Belarus. Those results leave Scotland level on points with Denmark atop Group C as Steve Clarke pushes to guide the national side to a first World Cup since 1998.

Fixture run and schedule

The squad has been named 22 days after Scotland's last match. The game against Greece is nine days away, followed by the Belarus match at Hampden Park three days later. The group resumes with final fixtures in mid-November.

Betting implications and tactical considerations

The recall of an experienced but match-shy Gordon suggests Clarke values leadership and familiarity amid a compressed schedule. For punters, that points to a modest edge backing Scotland in the Belarus home tie and considering low-goal markets across the double-header given defensive selections and goalkeeping rust. Goalkeeping uncertainty argues for cautious stakes and exploring markets such as both teams to score or narrow-margin wins.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has recalled goalkeeper Craig Gordon to his squad for October's World Cup qualifiers.

Sky Sports