CRAIG GORDON does not expect to be given the chance to win his 41st cap for Scotland when they play Germany on Sunday.

Gordon Strachan was at Dens Park to see the man who last pulled on a Scotland shirt in 2010 show once again he is rapidly approaching his very best form again.

But Gordon will perhaps be grateful he will not be asked to return to the firing line just yet.

The amount of work he is having to do while keeping goal for Celtic justifies a rest for the 31-year-old.

The saves he made during the 1-1 draw against Dundee showed Gordon in the best possible light ahead of the international week.

However, he was disappointed to have missed out on a clean sheet and a win at Dens to send him off to the Scotland camp on a high.

The absence of Virgil van Dijk from the defence as he got his head together amidst the transfer speculation surrounding him was a huge factor in their struggle, and Gordon admitted he hopes the Dutchman is still here when the window closes.

"He is massive for us, not only defensively, but he also scores goals and his distribution from the back is excellent," said the keeper.

"I'd be delighted if he did stay and was one of the centre-halves in front of me.

"He is fantastic player, and it would be great if the club could hold onto him."

Gordon refutes any suggestion that van Dijk has been seeking an exit route, and said: "You just have to look at his performance in the Champions League game (against Maribor).

"He was one of our best players and nearly popped up with a vital goal for us right at the end.

"His commitment can't be questioned."