Gordon will lead Scotland in Celtic Cup
Gordon all set to lead Scotland into Celtic Cup action
Perth’s Gordon Loudon will captain Scotland’s over-65 hockey team this weekend.
The Perthshire Hockey Club president is proudly taking to the field in Lille for Celtic Cup action against France, Ireland and Wales.
Gordon (64), a registered underage player for the squad, was selected to be skipper by his fellow team-mates.
“The 65s have not won the Celtic Cup for around five years so I’m hoping to turn that around,” Gordon explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“Everyone gets to nominate someone to be captain, and I have been selected.
“It’s a great honour for me. I’ve captained four games previously when the captain had been injured or unavailable.
“I’m looking forward to it. I play passionately and I will captain passionately.
“I’m extremely vocal and don’t suffer fools gladly. If someone is not doing what they should be doing they will be told, but in a nice way.
“It’s all about motivation. I know all of the guys in the squad now and which ones need a kick and those who need a cuddle.”
Gordon is hoping a busy summer schedule can be kicked-off in style at the Celtic Cup.
Later in the year he will also captain Scotland at the Home Internationals and Europeans, with the latter being held in Barcelona.
He said: “The three squads have been picked for the tournaments this season.
“You are allowed two underage players with permission.
“It’s a decent squad and enough to win the Celtic Cup. I will be disappointed if we don’t win it.
“When it comes to the Home Internationals next month in Dublin, I would like to think we could challenge.
“We would certainly hope to beat Ireland and Wales again, but then get a bit closer to England this time round.
“We’ll use this weekend to warm up for the Home Internationals and then the Home Internationals to warm up for the Europeans in Barcelona.”
There is a buzz surrounding hockey at present, Gordon believes, both on a local and national level. “It’s extremely special to represent your country, especially on the back of the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “When you see people in tears, I can associate with that. I’m an emotional chap and get involved in the game.
“As a club at Perthshire we have done really well this year. The men’s first team were promoted and should now finish third in the second division.
“The men’s seconds had a big win against St Andrews Uni at the weekend. I’m hopeful they can finish the job and win the Midlands first division.”
Gordon travelled over to France yesterday ahead of a 6pm Friday opener against Ireland.
That fixture will be followed up with a match against France at 3pm on Saturday before the curtain-closer against Wales at 8am on Sunday.
*Perthshire Hockey’s men’s first team lost 4-3 against Falkirk and Linlithgow last week. This weekend they are away to Dunfermline on Saturday and home to Gordonians on Sunday.