Gordon not buying into old club’s mind games

CANVASSED for his hopes for Celtic in Leipzig on Thursday, Steven MacLean was not likely to be mistaken for a candidate for the diplomatic corps.

‘I hope they get pumped,’ said the Hearts man after scoring his side’s third in their routine win at Dundee.

For all the veteran’s summation raised eyebrows, the fact he chose not to sugarcoat the issue in the name of the country’s co-efficient was entirely understandable.

Speaking after his side increased their lead at the top of the Premiership to six points, wishing to see their opponent in tomorrow’s Betfred Cup semi-final at Murrayfield given the runaround was surely only common sense? It’s just that in football certain things are better left unsaid.

As it transpired, MacLean got his wish. Having started promisingly in Germany, Celtic conceded two cheap, quick goals and then spent most of the night chasing a lost cause.

Brendan Rodgers’ problems tomorrow may be as much psychological as practical. Jozo Simunovic, Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths are major absentees, but those who do play must show no signs of fatigue from Thursday’s taxing endeavours.

‘It doesn’t matter if that’s what they (Hearts) think,’ said Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon. ‘It’s up to us. We’ll be confident on Sunday no matter what happened in Germany.

‘We’ve been playing well domestically recently and it’s about continuing that form.

‘We didn’t get the result we wanted in Leipzig but we look to keep the confidence high in the group no matter what, and we’ve done that over the years after European games.

‘It’s a semi-final — we don’t need any more motivation. It doesn’t matter if we’ve got a few more injuries after Leipzig. There are guys in the wings desperate to get a show.’

In one sense, it is no bad thing Celtic’s next game is so high-profile and intense. A crowd approaching 60,000 is anticipated.

‘It’s going to be some occasion,’ Gordon predicted. ‘It’s close to sold out, so it’ll be a great atmosphere. Ultimately, we want to go there and win.

‘We’ve got experience of big matches in front of huge crowds, it’s the case every week at Celtic Park. So the chance to go to Murrayfield and play in that environment is something we’re looking forward to.

‘We’ve thrived in those kinds of atmospheres in recent years and hopefully it’ll inspire us again this weekend.’

Celtic’s task seems akin to halting a juggernaut in its tracks. Reborn under Craig Levein this season, Hearts are displaying all the hallmarks of serious title challengers.

Presently just one point shy of the 26 George Burley’s side had accrued after ten games in 2005-06, Gordon sees parallels with the side he played in before Vladimir Romanov’s madness did for them.

‘They have a similar structure — solid and hard to beat, with a few experienced guys up front,’ said Gordon. ‘Back then we had Edgaras Jankauskas, Roman Bednar and Rudi Skacel scoring a lot from midfield. There was a lot of physicality in the side, as well.

‘There are similarities with the team today. They’re solid with pace to hurt teams.

‘They’ve had a great start and had another good result midweek. We expected them to win but they’ve put themselves in a great position early on. There’s an awful long way to go this season, though.

‘We play them twice in quick succession and from our point of view it’s a chance to put a marker down. We want to win a few games in a row and move things forward.’

In football, the narrative can change in the blink of an eye. A Celtic win tomorrow would swiftly draw a line under the Leipzig defeat and take some air out of Hearts’ balloon.

But a defeat for Rodgers’ side, a first in two-and-a-half years in domestic cups, would ask further questions of Celtic’s decline, while simultaneously bolstering Hearts’ credentials.

Gordon, you suspect, would gladly welcome any wishful thinking from his former club.

‘We’ve been away and lost but won’t concern ourselves too much with what they (Hearts) think,’ he said. ‘We’re making progress, we’re happy with where we are.

‘Craig Levein gets his sides solid and hard to beat. They’ve done that so far and not had to rely on their keeper too much.

‘Let’s hope we can make him busy this weekend.’