Gordon says Celts are used to the abuse...
CELTIC goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes that the club’s repeated exposure to teams who “don’t like us too much” should inoculate the Parkhead side to what is anticipated to be a hostile environment at Windsor Park this evening.
Brendan Rodgers’s side begin their UEFA Champions League qualification process with a game against David Healy’s Linfield side, but by refusing their ticket allocation for the game amidst security considerations, it will be a game played out against a backdrop almost exclusively made up of Linfield supporters.
Not that Gordon has lost too much sleep over it.
“We are used to playing against teams that don’t like us too much,” smiled Gordon. “It doesn’t make much difference to us. We’ll try to play football and win the game.”
Gordon is no stranger to playing against a backdrop of animosity, but he has maintained that his focus doesn’t stray from what is going on in front of him.
“I don’t mind it,” he said. “I like those kinds of atmospheres. It’s a challenge. That’s what playing at this level is all about.
“It’s not something I think much about. I’m not one for winding up opposition fans, I just get on with my job to the best of my ability. When you are involved in the game you don’t tend to hear much what’s coming from the stands.
“It’s about concentrating on organising the guys in front of me rather than worrying about the crowd behind me. I’ve experience a few hostile environments. Turkey a few years ago was a good atmosphere. I say good, because I quite enjoyed it.
“When it’s loud it can make you focus more on the game – it can inspire you.
“We’ve played in some big stadiums against some big teams. If you go out with a game plan then you can have confidence in what you are going to do.
“We have built that up over the last year, so there are no concerns about the outside influences.”
Gordon has been privy during his Celtic career to the manner in which teams can wilt under pressure when faced with the full force of the crowd against them, not that he anticipates the same effect in Belfast this evening.
“I think we trust in our gameplan and each other and that helps you through the situations that come up,” he said. “No matter what happens the spirit we have means we trust each other to come back.
“Even if we are one or two down we trust in our game plan and that’s what sees us through. When you see it happen time after time then it helps you believe.
“I’ve played in plenty big games and this is a high pressure situation trying to qualify for the Champions League. That’s where you want to test yourself.”