Scotland boss is sure Sunderland's Gordon can become new Europe No1

Petr Cech and Craig Gordon will stand at opposite ends of the pitch in Prague this evening determined to repel all-comers. It promises to be an intriguing evening for goalkeeping observers as arguably the best in Europe faces the Scotland No1 whom George Burley feels entitled to describe as a pretender to that crown.

Big-game players: Scotland star Gordon faces up to Cech today

Sunderland keeper Gordon will win his 31st cap for Scotland after emerging with credit from a roller- coaster first season at promoted Sunderland.

He struggled for clean sheets initially and then was badly let down by those in front of him at Goodison Park in a 7-0 defeat in November that led to him being demoted to the bench.

But he proved his character by bouncing back and, indeed, Keane insisted recently his goalkeeper was one of only two players at the Stadium of Light he would not consider selling.

"Craig is a terrific keeper and I know him well from my spell at Hearts," said former Tynecastle boss Burley. "He was absolutely superb at that time. He also faced a big test at Sunderland but came through it very well.

"Craig is still maturing at the age of 24 but, for me, he is already one of the best keepers in European football.

"At the other end, you have Petr Cech who, perhaps, is the top keeper in Europe given the standards he sets with Chelsea and with his country.

"So it will be fascinating to look at the two goalies on Friday."

Having a ball: Petr Cech during training for the Czech Republic

Burley highlighted Gordon's cool temperament under fire, as well as his agility and fast reactions, as reasons why he can reach for the kind of status now enjoyed by the Chelsea star.

"Cech is top class but Craig is already a phenomenal keeper. I think he has shown that with Scotland like the night they beat France in Paris," added the Scotland manager.

"He does not get flustered and that is a massive attribute in that position. Craig will not go into a game worrying about it. Not against the Czechs on their home patch, or against anyone else for that matter.

"He has bags of confidence and all the ability you could wish for in a top goalie. I think, given the games he has played in and the education he has had at a young age, over the next couple of years he might even be able to challenge Cech as the No1 in Europe."

Gordon was yesterday tipped to keep his Scotland jersey for the foreseeable future - despite the emergence of rival Allan McGregor this season.

The Rangers goalkeeper has gathered rave reviews at home and in Europe in the Ibrox side's ultimately doomed quadruple quest this season.

Top stopper: Scotland's Craig Gordon

But former Hearts goalkeeper Gilles Rousset - who spied on McGregor for Lyon this season ahead of two Champions League matches - prefers Gordon.

The Scottish Cup-winning hero of 1998 believes Gordon's role in helping Sunderland survive in the Premiership can only have made his fellow former Jambo improve as a player.

The Frenchman told Sportsmail: "I watched McGregor in the Champions League and, for me, Craig is the superior goalkeeper by far. Don't get me wrong, Allan is a good keeper and playing in European football is always a great learning experience for a goalkeeper. But he is not yet at the standard of Craig.

"He has had a season in the English Premiership and his confidence levels will be sky high. Craig has done really well for Sunderland this season and their manager has stated in public that there is no point in bidding for him or Kenwyne Jones because they will not sell.

"Craig is now one of 'The Untouchables' at the Stadium of Light and that will be a further boost to him especially after being dropped by Roy Keane earlier in the season.

"He can walk out to face Petr Cech - who is one of the best goalkeepers in the world - and not feel any inferiority.

"Why should he? Craig has proven himself in the English Premiership and Cech will be very aware of who he is."