CELTIC yesterday paid a classy tribute to departing Invincible Craig Gordon who on the same day announced that he had signed a to year contract back at Hearts. From Sunday evening when the former Celtic goalkeeper released his own farewell message to Celtic on his Instagram account, through the events yesterday at Tynecastle and finally through Celtic’s own warn tribute to the player, it all seemed to be handled very well indeed by both the player and the club and as a result Craig Gordon left the 9IAR Champions as a winner and with his head held high.
He has earned his part in the Celtic story and as the Celtic View editor noted yesterday, his celebration at Hampden in May 2017 when Tom Rogic scored that remarkable winning goal in the closing few seconds of the Invincible Treble winning season is an iconic moment in the Celtic fairytale.
“Among his many achievements at Celtic, Craig was part of the incredible Invincible Treble in the 2016/17 season, and the picture of him sinking to his knees in celebration after Tom Rogic scored the injury-time winner at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final is one of the most iconic images of that historic success,” Paul Cuddihy wrote yesterday on the official Celtic website.
And both the Celtic manager and the club’s CEO both paid tribute to Craig Gordon and his contribution to the club’s huge success since he arrived in July 2014, making in total 242 appearances for the club and winning six league titles, five League Cups and three Scottish Cups with Celtic.
“Craig has been great for Celtic and I wish him nothing but success for the future. He is someone who has played a massive role in so many great moments for the club over a number of years and he deserves real thanks and congratulations for all he has given us,” Neil Lennon stated.
“For club and country, Craig has always been a top professional and I am sure he will continue to enjoy success in his career. We wish him the very best.”
Peter Lawwell added his own tribute to the goalkeeper who has now returned to Tynecastle and is set to see out his playing days playing regularly rather than sitting on the Celtic bench as the back-up keeper, presumably with Fraser Forster set to sign.
“I would like to thank Craig sincerely for everything he gave to the club. Craig has been a tremendous servant to Celtic over a number of years and always given his best to the club,” the Celtic CEO stated.
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐩𝐬: 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐩𝐬: 🏆🏆🏆Thank you for the #9𝙄𝙉𝘼𝙍𝙊𝙒 memories and more, Craig Gordon – best of luck for the future! 🍀🧤 pic.twitter.com/4GQpGVxQF1
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) June 29, 2020
“He has overcome some huge challenges in his career, showing real determination and courage. Throughout his time at Celtic delivered some brilliant performances. Ultimately, he has played a major role in delivering some major successes to the club and this is something we will always appreciate.
“Craig has always been an excellent professional and on behalf of everyone at the club, I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
Niall J has already talked us through the confirmed options this morning if the Fraser Forster deal cannot be sorted with Southampton. That would appear to be Neil Lennon’s main objective over the next week or so and hopefully the deal is done and The Wall is back on a permanent contract.
For the first time in his professional career, Joe Hart has no club.
He has spoken to BBC Sport about his future.
“I just need someone to believe in me and I will repay that faith.”
Read: https://t.co/h9naCKVX1p pic.twitter.com/YNQOGbbxIm
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 29, 2020
