Craig Gordon was the first choice goalkeeper up until the end of last year under Brendan Rodgers. However, the former Celtic manager then started preferring Scott Bain in goal since the new year. Gordon’s fortune didn’t change even when Neil Lennon arrived at the club, and the veteran goalkeeper has struggled for game time since then.
Gordon’s situation at Celtic
In fact, he has fallen down the pecking order further at Parkhead since the new season began. Scott Bain injured his hand, and he was set to be out for months in August. Gordon might have thought that this will be his opportunity to impress Lennon and make a claim for the first-team spot.
However, the club went on to sign Fraser Forster from Southampton on a season-long loan deal which clearly indicated that the manager didn’t trust Gordon in goal.
Now Scott Bain is close to recovering entirely, and he will likely take Gordon’s place on the bench. Therefore the 36-year-old is effectively the third choice custodian at Parkhead right now. The Scotsman is already in the final year of his contract, and there have been clear indications that this will be his last season in Celtic colours.
Rab Douglas indicates Gordon should leave in January
Former Celtic keeper Rab Douglas meanwhile has encouraged Gordon to push for a move in January. He said (Daily Record), “I think it will get to January and Craig (Gordon) will have a discussion with Lennon. I don’t think anybody wants to sit in the bench; it’s not about the money. Craig will have enough money. The big thing is going out playing and enjoying it. He’s coming to the tail end of his career now; he needs to go to a level where he is really enjoying his football.
January will be the last opportunity for the Hoops to garner some kind of transfer fee for Gordon. The interested club will be unlikely to sign him for too much money as they would be aware of his contract situation. Therefore Celtic could look to get him off the wage bill by sending him away on a six-month loan instead.
Gordon’s inability to play out from the back and his falling athleticism was the primary cause why Scott Bain became the no. 1 from this year. Gordon has also struggled with injuries, and one could make out clearly that he wasn’t moving too well between the sticks. With Bain now returning from injury, we think that Celtic could afford to send away Gordon in January.
