CRAIG GORDON reckons the only way he can become Scotland's first-choice keeper again is to believe he already is our No.1.

The 32-year-old has had his club career revived since signing and starring for Celtic.

Stage two of the re-emergence from the football wilderness into which a serious knee injury plunged him is to reclaim his position as first pick for his country.

Gordon knows he faces a very tough fight to get the gloves from David Marshall and Allan McGregor.

Gordon Strachan is not moved to disagree with Andy Goram's assessment this is the finest trio of shot-stoppers this nation has ever had to chose from.

But, Gordon has already made giant steps on the path back, winning his first cap since 2010 when he replaced Marshall for the second half of Scotland's last match, the friendly against England in November.

Adding to the 40 caps he collected before his injury with Sunderland was an important psychological milestone.

And, when asked if he believes he is No.1, Gordon replied without a hint of conceit: "I have to think that because, if I didn't have that mindset, it would be wrong.

"It doesn't matter if the manager picks me first, second or third, my mentality still has to be I'm the best.

"I have to think that to go out and perform to my best, otherwise I am already compromised thinking someone else is better than me.

"I won't ever do that."

Gordon hopes to underline his claim with his performances in training ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Northern Ireland.

But, he concedes: "It's the manager's call.

"All I can do is keep doing everything I can for Celtic and, when we go away, give a good account of myself in the training and see if I can get a game."

Whoever gets the nod tomorrow, and when Scotland play Gibraltar on Sunday, they will have the full support of the other two keepers.

"At times, you have to be selfish and look after yourself," admitted the contender for Player of the Year.

"I respect the other guys massively for everything they have done and continue to do, but sometimes you have to try and be the one who is called upon.

"There's no animosity in training. Everybody gets on.

"There is no problems with anything and everyone supports who gets picked.

"For instance, if anyone has information about penalty or free-kick takers, they would pass that over to who is playing in the game.

"I've done that when I've been on the bench and felt I had inside information might be vital to the game.

"I would pass it on, and I'd expect it in return.

"This happened before Gordon Strachan.

"Against Spain (in 2010), I had a list of David Villa's penalties and showed them to Allan McGregor before the game.

"He went the right way and got a hand to it, but couldn't keep it out.

"The information was there to save it, and I would have been happy if he had."

Gordon does not expect advance notice from the Strachan about who will be entrusted with the job tomorrow night.

"He'll have his reasons, and doesn't have to explain them to us," said the man who has set his sights on a place in the Hall of Fame.

"The manager spoke to me before the England game and told me I'd play the second half because he didn't want to change the team from the Republic of Ireland game.

"So that was the only explanation he gave to me.

"I won't be asking him to explain his decisions. I don't think that would go down well."