The Albany Gazette - Hearts and Scotland keeper Gordon retires

Gordon has brought the curtain down on a 24-year career which included six league titles, four Scottish Cups and five Scottish League Cups.

He endured a series of injuries that interrupted his career, but he was still able to star for Hearts, Sunderland and Celtic.

When Gordon left Hearts for Sunderland in 2007 the Black Cats paid a then British record £9 million ($12 million) fee for a goalkeeper.

The final appearance of his career came in Scotland's World Cup warm-up win against Curacao in May and his last club game was for Hearts against Celtic in January.

"Everyone has dreams. Mine were probably no different to most kids', to play for my club and my country, Heart of Midlothian and Scotland," he said on Instagram.

"Improbable? Perhaps. Impossible? Absolutely not. Hard work, sacrifices, setbacks, step by step dreams become reality, from supporting Hearts to playing for Hearts."

Gordon, who made his international debut in 2004, won 84 caps for Scotland and was a member of the squad at the World Cup in North America.

He did not make an appearance at this World Cup as Nottingham Forest's Angus Gunn started all three of games in Scotland's disappointing group stage exit.

"I'm not much of a singer, but I've improved a little after 84 renditions of the national anthem. The biggest names at the biggest stadiums on the biggest stages. I've savoured every moment of it," Gordon said.

"I've never wanted it to end, but end it must. I have lived my dreams and for that, I am so thankful."

(R.White--TAG)