Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon is reportedly considering retirement when his contract with the club expires at the end of this season.
Football Insider reported that the 36-year-old might not seek a new club when his current Hoops deal expires and is apparently giving serious consideration to ending his playing career when the 2019/20 season finishes.
According to Football Insider, the former Scotland international has been weighing up his future at the club after dropping down the goalkeeping pecking order.
Gordon has made just five first team appearances for Celtic so far this season, the most recent of those coming in the Betfred Cup win over Partick Thistle in September. [via TransferMarkt]
He has not played in the Premiership or Europa League group stage this term, but the Hoops’ progression to the knockout rounds of the latter may see the veteran come into the team for either or both of the remaining group games.
With Fraser Forster playing in every Premiership and Europa League group game since the last week of August (as per TransferMarkt), he is very much Neil Lennon’s first choice goalkeeper and he recently hinted to The Sun that he might be open to turning his loan move into a permanent one.
Who has more potential, Odsonne Edouard or Moussa Dembele?
Edouard
Dembele
Scott Bain is another goalkeeping option at Parkhead and, although he hasn’t played since mid-August because of a thumb injury, he was recently given a new four-year contract, indicating that the club still view him as a player of importance.
Although Gordon has rarely featured this season, he has performed commendably whenever called upon. Celtic have won all five games in which he has featured, with just two goals conceded and three clean sheets to his name, as per TransferMarkt.
Also, when he had a regular spell of games last season, he managed to record a clean sheet in 15 of his 32 appearances, while conceding just 27 goals.
With Gordon turning 37 on New Year’s Eve and only being a bit-part player at Celtic this season, it would be understandable if he wishes to retire, especially after missing more than two years through injury earlier this decade.
However, he has shown that he is still a capable performer when called upon, while Forster’s £70,000-a-week wages could scupper the Hoops’ chances of keeping him on beyond this season (as per Daily Record).
If that is the case, hopefully Gordon can be persuaded to stay on for another year, but having played 241 times for Celtic and won 12 trophies with the club, he has earned the right to make that decision himself.
Celtic fans, would you like to see Gordon holding off on his retirement for at least another season or would he be justified in hanging up his boots next year? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
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