Gordon: I'm ready to play for Scotland

Craig Gordon has told Scotland boss George Burley he does not need to play for Sunderland to be ready to face Holland next month.

Gordon, 26, has made just one competitive appearance since November due to a chipped ankle bone and his status as the undisputed number one for both club and country is now under threat.

But he expects Burley to keep faith with him for the critical World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam on March 28.

He told the Scottish Sun: “Yes, I do. Look, it wouldn’t bother me at all if I hadn’t played before going to Holland.

“It’s not the perfect scenario for either myself or George Burley but it is something I can handle.

“I’m very confident in both my own ability and what I can offer Sunderland and Scotland – it’s not arrogance but a confidence I can do the job.

“That never goes away and, regardless of being injured or not, I’ve never lost that.

“I’m very confident if I do get the chance to play in Amsterdam, I’ll be completely ready to do so.

“I have plenty of faith in myself and if it were to be the case that I’m selected to face the Dutch without having played another league match, I’m sure I could cope with that, no problem.”

Another player eyeing a Scotland recall is Hibernian striker Derek Riordan.

The 26-year-old has not played for his country since making his debut against Austria in August 2005, mainly due to a nightmare two-year spell at Celtic.

But his summer return to Easter Road has helped him regain the kind of form that saw him named SPFA Young Player of the Year four years ago.

Riordan said in the Daily Record: “I know people are talking about a possible Scotland recall for me. It is always nice to be spoken about in those terms.

“There is no substitute for playing and I feel fitter, sharper and more confident.

“At the moment, scoring for Hibs is my main priority and I know that if I continue to do well for them, other things could follow.”

Meanwhile, Norway boss Egil Olsen has told Scotland counterpart Burley he was wasting his time getting the Scottish Premier League to postpone the start of next season.

Burley has just succeeded in convincing the SPL to delay the kick-off to the 2009-10 campaign by a week to August 15.

That will give him more time to prepare for the August 12 qualifier in Oslo.

But opposite number Olsen insists players are more than capable of handling two games in four days.

He said: “This all comes down to the character of the players and not about when games take place before an international.

“Modern-day footballers can play two matches a week, no problem.

“Any other time in the season, players play matches for their clubs and then have a few days to relax before important internationals.”