The Black Cats' and Scotland number one is all too aware there is every chance one bad performance will spark reminders about the money that was spent on him.

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But the 24-year-old is pleased that, for now, cash has not been high on the agenda.

He said: "It's still only eight games and I am sure that if I went out and played poorly in a game, then it would be mentioned.

"I am well aware that's going to stick around. At the moment, I have not heard too much about it, which I would see as a good thing, but it really is something that does not concern me that much.

"It's the way transfer fees are going, especially in this league, and the top leagues around the world, so it is not something I concern myself with."

Gordon reckons playing in the Premier League is akin to the tests he has faced in international football – where Scotland are riding the crest of a wave right now.

He also has the benefit of being able to draw on European experience with former club Hearts.

He said: "There are a lot of international players playing in the Premier League and the style is very similar to what you play in international football.

"That experience of playing with Scotland and playing in the Uefa Cup with Hearts in European football is similar to what you get in the Premier League.

"The experience of that has held me in good stead for the start of the Premier League.

"There are players here who have had many millions of pounds paid for them and some of the best players in the world.

"Every team you play against are going to have one or two stars who can hurt you, and that is the main difference between the two leagues."

On the international front, Scotland's chances of qualifying for next summer's European Championships finals are in their own hands.

They top Group B with three qualifiers to play, with a November clash with Italy looking likely to be the crunch game. Before that, however, they face the Ukraine and Georgia in a tight group.

Gordon said: "It's still going to be difficult for us. We are only two points away from being third and that's why the two games coming up are going to be tough and ones we are going to need to do well in.

"But we have put ourselves in that position and it is great to be involved in that, and the pressure that comes from that is the type of pressure we want to be involved in."