The Scotsman

We have to focus on creating history all over again – Gordon

-

Craig Gordon reckons Celtic need to forget about last season’s “Invincible­s” campaign and focus on creating history all over again.

The Hoops racked up an incredible 47-game unbeaten run against Scottish opposition as they completed the domestic treble.

And the big question facing Brendan Rodgers’ side as they prepare for the new term boils down to whether they can repeat that astonishin­g feat.

But Gordon reckons his side need to start this season with a fresh set of objectives as they chase a seventh straight Scottish league crown and a place in the Champions League.

Asked if his side could go another campaign without loss, the Parkhead goalkeeper told Celtictv: “That’s in the history books now. We’ve achieved that.

“Now we’ve got to have the mindset of starting again. This is a new season.

“Everyone will always remember what we did last season, but it’s up to us to go out and put a marker down for this season.

“We’ll start off by doing that in the pre-season games then go and try to qualify for the Champions League.”

Rodgers’ men will kick-off their quest for the group stages early next month, with Northern Irish champions Linfield or San Marino minnows La Fiorita providing the first qualifying hurdle to be cleared.

Celtic have already confirmed they will not take any fans with them to Belfast should Linfield progress to set up a powder-keg clash.

Butgordoni­nsists,nomatter who his team face, they will be leaving nothing to chance. “I’m sure it will be a difficult game – they all are at this stage trying to qualify for the Champions League,” he said. “Whoever we get it’s going to be a tricky

0 Craig Gordon says Celtic must start the season with a fresh set of objectives.

CRAIG GORDON tie and we need to make sure our preparatio­ns are right to ensure we’re ready for it.”

The Hoops have added just one new recruit to last season’s all-conquering squad – signing Jonny Hayes from Aberdeen. The winger has proved himself a thorn in the side of the Glasgow giants on a number of occasions in recent seasons, most recently when he struck the opening goal in May’s William Hill Scottish Cup final.

Gordon’s team fought back to wrap up their clean sweep of domestic trophies, but the Celtic No 1 is relieved his team will have one less thing to worry about the next time they face the Dons.

He said: “Jonny always seemed to do well when he played against us over the last couple of seasons.

“I’m glad he’s on our team now rather than facing up to him.”

Gordon admits he is still getting over the pain of Scotland’s last-gasp setback against England earlier this month.

Harry Kane struck at the death to deny Gordon Strachan’s men a famous victory and three precious World Cup qualifying points. But the 46-cap stopper remained philosophi­cal about the dramatic Hampden draw.

“It was disappoint­ing to not collect the three points,” he said. “It was all about Leigh Griffiths, pictured, and his two free-kicks, though. He’s still not shut up about them and I don’t expect him to for quite some time. It was a blow to finish up with the 2-2, but it was still a good point. We would have taken that before the start. It was just unfortunat­e the way it came about.”

“Now we’ve got to have the mindset of starting again. Everyone will always remember what we did last season, but it’suptoustog­oout and put a marker down for this season. ”

Claudio Ranieri insisted he had moved on from his title-winning spell at Leicester as he was unveiled as the new coach of Ligue 1 club Nantes.

The Italian led the Foxes to a remarkable Premier League triumph in 2016 but was sacked just months later with the club in relegation trouble.

Ranieri is now back in football management with French club Nantes and during his press conference he spoke of his desire to leave his time at Leicester in the past. “It was fantastic to win the title with Leicester,” Ranieri said. “The love that people showed me was fantastic.

“But we must forget Leicester and work with humility. Leicester remains something unique. I arrive in a club that has eight titles. I am honoured to be here.”

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom