The closest I’ve been marked at Ibrox is by two stewards
Celtic hitman insists fan boycott won’t stop Bhoys Hooping it up if they win festive derby
LEIGH GRIFFITHS fired a festive Old Firm showdown shot at rivals Rangers by claiming his toughest task at Ibrox is getting past the bouncers on the posts.
The Celtic ace is already eyeing the December 29 clash
GEORGIA O’NEILL, 6, shone as the biggest star when she met Craig Gordon, left, and Scott Brown, above, at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children. The Hoops duo presented the hospital’s charity with a cheque for £10,000 from the Celtic Foundation.
CRAIG GORDON is convinced Callum McGregor can crack it at the top level in Europe – but warned admirers it will take silly money to prise the playmaker from Parkhead.
The Celtic and Scotland midfielder has been one of the stars of the season and his displays in a number of roles have caught the eye down south.
Clubs such as Bournemouth are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old but Gordon reckons it would take an eyewatering bid to make Celts blink.
Even serious cash on the table might not be enough as the keeper reckons you can’t put a price on the Parkhead experience.
For what it’s worth, Gordon insisted McGregor’s quality is clear and he’s convinced his team-mate could walk into top sides in England or beyond.
He said: “For what Callum has already achieved and the talent he has shown, he can perform at the top level against some of the best teams in Europe.
“You are not taking a gamble. He is a player everyone knows is capable of playing at that level. He has already shown it and is now getting more opportunities at international level.
“You can see the ones who have gone from Celtic into the Premier League in recent years have gone on to do really well. I have no doubt Callum is in that bracket in terms of quality. He could play for a number of teams all across Europe.
“How much? I don’t know, it is crazy money now. Certainly in terms of goals and how important he is to this team, it would be very difficult to put a price on it.
“It would have to be a very big price for someone to come in and prise him away because of the importance he has to the team.
“He has scored very important goals – his performances not only in Scotland but internationally and in Europe have been excellent.
“He’s got a great record for goals as well. Anyone looking at him is going to be impressed. It’s not over the short term either – he has done this consistently well for a good few seasons and so it is no surprise Bournemouth and teams probably higher up than that will be having a look at some of the players.”
Gordon is used to hearing about his Parkhead pals being linked with big moves but more often than not they are happy to stay in Glasgow and keep collecting silverware.
The shot-stopper said: “It is a great place to be. We are playing some great football and the enjoyment factor of where we are, how we are playing and the group we have, you cannot easily dismiss that and look elsewhere.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in the Premier League and be part of different clubs and different dressing rooms – and to be part of something as special as this, you do not get it very often.
“I don’t think anybody has ever been in a hurry to leave. There are so many different things that can happen in a career.
“But for us to be in this moment here and part of this club at this special time there will not be much better out there in terms of how good this feels. How much money could compensate for that? I’d suggest it has to be an awful lot.” No one at Celtic Park is looking beyond Thursday and the Europa League showdown with Red Bull Salzburg. Gordon can sense another huge European night under the Parkhead disco lights. Celts are firing on all cylinders after sticking five past Killie at the weekend and need only a point to secure their spot in the knockout stage after Christmas. A clean sheet will do but it won’t be a waltz against a talented Salzburg side who’ve won five out of five in the group and are looking to go deep in the competition again after reaching the semis last season. Gordon added: “We’ve been getting better and better and scoring five goals has improved everyone’s confidence.
“They know we’re playing well and we know we can thrive on big European nights at Parkhead and make it a difficult test for them.
“If it’s an open, entertaining affair and it finishes 2-2, so be it – at least we’ll be through. But I don’t think we can play for a point. Things can change as the game progresses but we’ll be going out to win.
“It would be a huge achievement to get through. When everyone saw the group I think a lot of people probably feared for us.
“We’ve still got a massive task and it will take a huge effort to get through but we’ve given ourselves that opportunity. Let’s hope we can finish that off.”