Craig Gordon speaks out on injury return and Celtic future

Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has admitted he is hoping to force his way back into the first-team picture next season after recovering from a knee problem.

The 36-year-old, who has been with the club for five years, suffered the injury shortly after Neil Lennon took charge in February and missed the remainder of the season, with many tipping the keeper to leave the club this summer.

Gordon, who has earned 54 caps for Scotland during his career, made his return recently, featuring in an hour of the Hoops’ 0-0 friendly against French side Rennes.

And talking to Celtic View, cited by the Daily Record, the experienced shot-stopper, who has just 12 months left on his current deal, spoke about his return to action.

I felt good when I was out there and I was able to kick well so I was confident with how the knee felt. It was a good first opening for me and I’m ready to push on and get more.

I need to try and get myself fit first and get 90 minutes under my belt. Once I’ve proven to myself and everyone here that I can complete 90 minutes then it gives me a shot to get in the team.

Gordon then went on to add how he is hoping to force his way back into Lennon’s plans and play as many games as possible next season.

It’s up to me to train as well as I can to force that to happen.

I still want to play as many games as I possibly can in the season but that’ll be up to the manager.

I’ll give it everything I possibly can to make sure it happens and then we’ll see where we go from there.

The veteran has won 11 major honours with Celtic during his five-year stint and looks set to rival current number one Scott Bain for a starting spot for the upcoming campaign.