Gordon ruled out of Netherlands clash

Scotland suffered a major blow on Wednesday when goalkeeper Craig Gordon was ruled out of their crucial World Cup qualifying match against the Netherlands after failing a fitness test on a thigh injury.

The Sunderland shot-stopper missed training due to the problem on Monday and was given a 50-50 chance of playing.

Cardiff City’s David Marshall has been selected to deputise by manager George Burley.

A draw will secure second place in Group Nine for Scotland but a victory will give them the best chance possible of qualifying for the play-offs as one of the eight best runners-up from the nine European qualifying groups.

The Netherlands have already qualified for next year’s tournament in South Africa as group winners and victory for them on Wednesday would see them become the first Dutch side to win all of their qualifiers.