CRAIG GORDON’s future is becoming the saga of this summer with the 37-year-old ‘keeper currently undecided on his next move. The 54-cap goalie has been at Celtic for six years but is yet to commit to a new deal as deals drag on.
The Scottish Sun is reporting that Celtic offered Gordon an 80 per cent wage reduction to remain at the Scottish Champions for next season. Gordon rejected this deal and he has said that they will resume talks, coinciding with Gordon’s contract discussions with Hearts.
Celtic and Hearts are currently discussing the future of the ex-£9m player but he is taking his time and assessing his options, no doubt to see where Hearts will be playing their football. Whilst Fraser Forster is the main target for the club, Gordon has to also be realistic in what he is likely to receive as a 37-year-old in the post-COVID 19 marketplace.
Gordon spoke to Talksport and criticised the approach taken by Celtic during negotiations, which was particularly surprising given that Gordon admitted that talks were still due to take place.
✅ “I am in talks with Hearts.”
🙌 “They’re my boyhood club.”
☘️ “Negotiations with Celtic haven’t been good. There’s still chat to be had
Craig Gordon tells @DavidTannerTV he’s in talks to swap #CelticFC for #Hearts. pic.twitter.com/bOyD6hFdKK
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 22, 2020
BREAKING! Craig Gordon reveals negotiations with #CelticFC ‘haven’t been particularly good’
‘It could have been handled an awful lot better. There’s still a chat to be had there’
‘It [the pay gap]was enormous. It was way short and that’s what I told them’
– Via @talkSPORT pic.twitter.com/pN6X5nd934
— PLZ Soccer (From 🏠) (@PLZSoccer) June 22, 2020
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. Going onto Talksport might annoy the club but Gordon deserves to find the best possible deal for him; although it was a shame for him to publicly discuss the deal that the Scottish Champions offered.
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.
Craig Gordon owes Celtic nothing, came in on a free deal and done excellent for majority of his time. At the same time Celtic owe Craig Gordon nothing either, gave him his chance back in big time football. If it doesn't suit either party or stay cut ties and just move on.
— Ryan Tinney (@TinneyCFC89) June 22, 2020
