CRAIG GORDON has rejected the contract offer of St Mirren and is currently weighing up his options between an extension to Celtic or a return to boyhood club, Hearts. Jim Goodwin’s Saints had offered Gordon a deal to give him first team football; however, the 54-cap goalkeeper appears to favour either a return to Tynecastle or extending upon his six-year stay with the Scottish Champions.
The Scottish Sun are reporting that Gordon is considering a two-year offer from Hearts as he weighs up his next career move following the expiration of his Celtic deal. Gordon was due to speak to Celtic but seemingly no offer has been made yet.
Gordon, 37, wants first team football with a dream Scotland call-up in mind and is willing to drop down a division in order to secure this. The ‘keeper left Hearts for Sunderland in a £9m deal but Ann Budge is willing to give Gordon the assurances that he will play games and is willing to give him a two year deal, with the option of a third.
Neil Lennon confirmed last week that Gordon hadn’t been training with the club but were hopeful that a decision could be reached.
“There’s no movement yet but talks are ongoing. The door is always open. I’d like to keep him, he’s a top professional and he handled himself really well last season.
“Craig is absolute quality and we don’t know what will happen with Fraser as well. We’ll hopefully know more over the next few weeks.”
Whilst Celtic are keen to re-sign Fraser Forster, they cannot force Gordon to postpone his own future while they wait on Southampton to open up negotiations.
Celtic should stand by Gordon and offer him a deal instead of trying to prolong the negotiations until they have assurances that Forster might return. However, should the Englishman arrive, the club should offer Gordon a loan exit.
Gordon is a top athlete and whilst Celtic gave him the opportunity to play at a top level again, he is a brilliant goalkeeper and there are no guarantees that Forster will remain at the club.
