Craig Gordon would have liked to have experienced his 40th birthday in a few days differently. The Scotland international goalkeeper is so badly injured in a league game on Christmas Eve that he is out for the rest of the season.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has had a Christmas to forget. The Heart of Midlothian FC captain suffered a double fracture in his leg in a collision with an opponent during the 2-2 draw at Dundee United on Saturday, his club have now announced.

Gordon “will be out for the rest of the season,” it said on Twitter. He has already had an operation. “It’s obviously a huge blow to lose an influential player like Craig for the rest of the season but to be honest all we’re thinking about right now is his welfare,” said coach Robbie Neilson.

Gordon, whose contract expires in 2024, turns 40 on New Year’s Eve. So there is still a chance for the 74-time international to return to the pitch for Heart of Midlothian.