Former Celtic skipper, Jackie McNamara, feels it would be a blow for the Hoops to lose Craig Gordon in the summer if he leaves at the end of his current contract according to an interview in Football Insider.
McNamara revealed what he feels is the key factor in whether or not Gordon will sign for another year or leave for pastures new at the season’s end.
So what did McNamara say?
When asked if it would be disappointing to see the big stopper leave, he said:
“Yeah, he has been a good signing and a good player for them over the years”.
“It’s unfortunate that Celtic have several good keepers there, so it’s about waiting for an injury or loss of form to get in”.
“I think it (Gordon’s future) depends on whether Forster goes back to Southampton as he’ll want to know what his chances of playing are, as he’s gone from being a regular to being a No.2”.
So is McNamara correct?
Gordon fell out of favour after Scott Bain signed for the Celts in February 2018 and made an immediate impression on the Parkhead faithful, his ability in possession giving him the nod over the experienced Scotland international and former £9m Premier League keeper.
He has found game time hard to come by this season after Neil Lennon, not only secured additional cover following Bain’s hand injury in August, but upgraded by signing Fraser Forster on-loan from Southampton for the season. McNamara is right, only injury or loss of form would see Gordon return to a regular starting slot in the first-team.
Forster still has a couple of seasons left on his Saints contract and their perilous position in the Premier League could have an effect on where he plays his football next season, his current form would suggest he is better than the current incumbents Angus Gunn and Alex McCarthy although they may attract higher transfer fees should they look to cash in.
The Wall is on big wages (a rumoured £70,000 a week) at Southampton, a result of earlier form for the club pushing Joe Hart for the England number 1 jersey being rewarded in an attempt to ward off interest from “bigger” clubs.
Do you want Gordon to extend his stay at Parkhead?
Yes
No
Gordon, at 36, still has plenty to offer and could yet be persuaded to extend his stay at Parkhead with Lennon not wanting to lose his experience from the Hoops squad, as good a keeper as he is though, Fraser Forster, he isn’t.