Gordon set to sign new deal at Celtic

SOURCES close to Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon have confirmed that the player is expected to formalise a threeand-a-half year contract extension this week which will secure his long-term future is at the Parkhead club.

The 34-year-old Scotland internationalist is currently under contract with Celtic until June 2018. However, two bids from Chelsea during the January transfer window have been the catalyst for Celtic offering Gordon an improved and longer deal at the club.

It is understood that the goalkeeper wished to speak to the Premier League leaders when their interest in him arose in January and there were suggestions that he may have resisted the offer of a further deal in order to ascertain whether Chelsea would return again this summer.

With Stamford Bridge No 1 Thibaut Courtois rumoured to be heading to Real Madrid this summer and back-up keeper Asmir Begovic looking to make the move to Bournemouth that was blocked because Chelsea could not secure Gordon, there remained some uncertainty over whether the former Hearts and Sunderland shotstopper would be tempted to wait for a further offer in June.

Brendan Rodgers, though, was insistent that he did not wish to lose his first choice goalkeeper. Gordon initially lost his place to Dorus De Vries in the early days of Rodgers’ arrival at the club but has since firmly established himself as the No 1 at the club.

The Celtic manager has no desire to look for a goalkeeper at a time when Celtic will be preparing for UEFA Champions League qualifying ties, games that essentially underpin the club’s season with Rodgers unequivocal in his insistence that Gordon will remain at the club.

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