Hoops’ pass master so happens to be the goalie
get used to. Getting 100 per cent is not something that happens very often for a goalkeeper because there are times you have to go long. But to complete every single pass is something fans expect no matter if it’s 10 or 60 yards.
“The coaches look at it over the season, the passes and the areas I pass it into, and statistically over the season it’s very good. People maybe don’t look in to that side too much and think every single one should be completed.
“It’s something the coaches are looking for, is that kind of detail. It’s not just keeping the ball out of the net. It’s did I play the right ball in the right areas, was it quick enough, was it to the right player?
“There’s a lot more to it now but it’s enjoyable. There’s definitely been improvement in recent months and years.
“I’ve managed 100 per cent a few times. It tends to happen at Celtic Park but we had it at Dundee the other week as well. It can happen from time to time but it’s not always the way we play. Sometimes the manager will set us up to play a little longer. It depends on the personnel and the opposition.
“We are a passing team but it’s not always the tactic. It’s a mixture that’s up to the manager and coaches and I’ll sit with Stevie Woods [goalkeeping coach] in the build up to games to decide on exactly how I’ll go.”
Gordon is no Xavi but he can play a bit. And he’s under orders. It’s always amusing to watch the reaction of his manager when he does punt it long or a pass doesn’t make its intended target.
The Celtic goalkeeper, who is having another fine season, will continue to take these calculated risks on Thursday night against Red Bull Salzburg. A draw would do the league leaders but that’s not on their mind.
“I don’t think we can play for a point,” said Gordon. “Things can change as the game progresses, depending on what we need and that could influence what happens but, to begin with, we’ll be going out to win.
“So we’ll still play our way and pass the ball out from the back. That sets up our attacks and it would take something away from the team and the other guys further up the pitch for if we didn’t do that.
“People say it’s risky but we don’t lose too many goals as a result of it. For me, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Of course, we’ll get caught out from time to time because everybody does but we’ll get more joy from it.
“We’d love to be in the draw for the last 32,” said Gordon. “There will be some really big teams in there and you have the Champions League sides dropping in as well. “We already landed two very big names in our group and it would be great to put ourselves in the position to get one of those.”