Wilson's Scotland call creates 'incredible' double for Hearts

James Wilson, 18, and Craig Gordon, 42, are both in the Scotland squad

Neil Critchley says it is "incredible" for Heart of Midlothian to have both the youngest and oldest players in the latest Scotland squad as the head coach also backed Lawrence Shankland to push himself back into international contention.

Shankland has been dropped this time and finds himself replaced in Steve Clarke's national squad with strike partner James Wilson, whose first call-up came just days after turning 18, for next week's Nations League play-off against Greece.

Craig Gordon was included again having re-established himself as the nation's number one goalkeeper at the age of 42.

"Incredible, at both ends of the spectrum," Critchley said. "It's just as much an achievement for Craig as it is for James and at least James will have someone to look after him, which is nice."

While Wilson has found the net six times in 24 appearances since breaking into the first team this season, 29-year-old Shankland's scoring rate has dropped to four in 34.

"Shanks is a super professional," Critchley said. "He's a great guy and naturally you'd be disappointed - I'd expect him to be.

"He's out there doing extra today, as he always does with his finishing. I know he'll be concentrating on performing his best for us, starting with the game tomorrow - between now and the end of the season - and if that happens then I'm sure at some point he'll be back in international contention."

Wilson revealed earlier this week that his "head was spinning" after Critchley broke the news to him about his inclusion.

"It's a special moment, isn't it?" the Hearts boss said. "I found out the morning of the announcement.

"I pulled James after a team meeting to tell him and he was obviously taken aback by the news - I don't think he was expecting it. You could see the excitement in his eyes and I think he was a little bit overwhelmed."

Critchley said the club's academy staff "should be immensely proud" as "he sort of typifies the exact type of person you want to produce".

With Norwich City's Angus Gunn again missing out through injury, Gordon is likely to start against the Greeks ahead of Rangers' Liam Kelly and Ipswich Town's Cieran Slicker.

"They're important games, big games coming up for Scotland and I know what it'll mean to Craig if he still is the number one," Critchley added. "He's been fantastic.

"His performances this season have been top, so both players deserve to be in the squad."