How 'calm' Gordon fought through early-career nerves

Ask anyone to describe Craig Gordon and the word that often comes to their mind first is calm.

The towering six-foot-four-inch frame of the Hearts and Scotland stopper belies his temperament, as for someone so dominant and vocal on the park, his composure is what many people admire.

A new Icons of Football episode, which followed Gordon throughout this dramatic season and looks back on his storied career, is available now on BBC iPlayer.

The documentary tells the story of Gordon’s repeated injury setbacks, his extensive treatment this season and his drive to make this summer’s World Cup squad.

The goalkeeper, who is hoping to be named as Scotland’s number one for their opening World Cup match in 28 years when they face Haiti on Sunday, has come a long way from the teenage prodigy who needed the sick bucket to calm his pre-match jitters.

“That probably came from being really nervous,” the 43-year-old told BBC Scotland on how he appeared so collected from day one.

“Especially early in my career, I was very nervous. I used to be sick before almost every game. I’d come in from the warm-up, go into the toilet and throw up. I was so nervous, I just didn’t want to let these people down.

“That was how I dealt with the nerves and carried myself in that way and made everybody else think I was in total control.”

His first season at Tynecastle set the tempo for what would become one of the club’s most celebrated in the 21st century.

The keeper won young player of the year at the club, featured in key European ties and played the majority of the league games.

One of the biggest moments of his career would come just a few years after it started, in a Scottish Cup final at Hampden for his boyhood club.

And when Gavin Skelton’s decisive penalty rattled the bar and sailed over, Gordon was running towards the fans in celebration before it touched back down on the pitch.

“I knew it was high, I remember hearing it hit the bar and I just took off celebrating,” he recalled.

“I didn’t even look back, I’m so glad it didn’t hit the bar and come down because I didn’t even look for the ball.

“I just went celebrating straightaway.”