Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Craig Gordon wants “to show people what’s possible” as he nears a return from a year out with a double leg break – with a place at Euro 2024 still on his mind.
The Scotland player, 40, sustained the injury last December in Hearts’ 2-2 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice.
He told BBC Scotland he knew he was “in for the long haul” when he saw pictures of the incident.
“You don’t have to give up with an injury like this,” Gordon said.
“I want to show everyone what is possible. It wasn’t the way that I wanted to finish playing football, I wanted to finish out there.
“It’s been a big challenge but one that I’ve taken head on and I’m at the end of now. It’s been a rehab year but I’ve had a few of them before so I’m not a stranger to them entirely.
“I knew I was in for the long haul.”
- Gordon has ‘good opportunity’ to make Euro 2024
- Naismith cautious over Gordon’s Hearts return
- Visit our Hearts page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views
- You can now get Hearts news notifications in the BBC Sport app – find out more
Gordon was injured during a collision with former Dundee United striker Steven Fletcher.
“I remember the incident absolutely fine,” Gordon said. “I knew straight away that I had broken the leg. When the physio came on, I quite calmly told him that I had broken my leg.
“I didn’t realise the severity of it at the time and how it was just hanging on by skin and probably not a lot else. I knew I had done a pretty serious injury to myself and it was going to be a long way back.
“The operation was on Christmas Day, the second procedure to actually put the metal rod into my shin bone. They had to search the hospital for a rod long enough. That pushed the operation back a couple of hours. I missed the entire Christmas with my family. I missed everything.
“The children actually left their presents for a few days until I got home and could watch them open them, which was nice of them.”
Once home, Gordon said he “camped” on the couch and was unable to make much of his 40th birthday celebrations on Hogmanay.
“I managed to hobble to the table,” he said. “I slept on the sofa for the first few weeks.”
Euro 2024 place ‘still a big dream’
In his absence, Scotland have qualified for the Euro 2024, with Angus Gunn predominantly starting in goal for Steve Clarke’s side.
“It’s still a big dream to be part of that squad that goes to Germany,” Gordon added.
“That’s always been in the back of my mind right throughout the rehab.
“Scotland’s always a big motivating factor for me. I’d love to get back involved but I know I’ve still got an awful lot of hard work between now and not only March for the next selection but also to try and make sure I’m in the plans for the summer as well.
“We have a chance if we play the way we can play. That team just doesn’t fear anybody.”
- Our coverage of Hearts is bigger and better than ever before – here’s everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
- Everything Hearts – go straight to all the best content
