Craig Gordon reveals previous bad blood with Jermain Defoe

Craig Gordon has touched upon a former incident involving Rangers’ new signing Jermain Defoe.

The Celtic goalkeeper suffered a broken arm back in 2009, during Sunderland’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Gordon picked up the injury after what he felt was a deliberate kick by Defoe, which left the Scot with ill feelings towards the striker.

The 36-year-old admits he was too angry to even accept an apology at the time, but told the Express he no longer holds a grudge:

It’s a long time now and it should probably remain in the past and we can get on with it.

It was him that caused my broken arm, a lot of years ago. There’s a lot of water under the bridge since then, so I’ll be getting on with it.

I wasn’t happy at the time. I was annoyed. I did think he meant to kick me rather than the ball, which happens in tackles anyway.

Sometimes you mean to give the player a little kick. And I’m not suggesting he meant to break my arm. He’s not that type of player.

I have felt it was a bad challenge which didn’t need to be made. But I’m not going to make a big thing about it. That’s in the past.

He did try to contact me afterwards, but I declined the opportunity to speak to him.

I was still too angry, but that’s long finished now. I played against him for Sunderland after it. He was just another player.

I’d shake his hand. No problem. I’m just going to get on with the game. There won’t be any problem.

Celtic and Rangers next meet on March 30th, in what could be a defining fixture in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Brendan Rodgers’ side lead the way on goal difference currently, with one game in hand.