Stewart: I’m so pleased for Liam
Having spent time on loan at Elgin City, Gordon made his first-team debut under Tommy Wright against Hearts in a 2- 2 thriller at Tynecastle on the final day of season 2015/16.
After the game he noted it was “different class playing for the team you have supported all your life.”
Another loan spell would follow, this time at Peterhead, before slowly but surely he started to appear more consistently in Saints’ starting line- up. Now a mainstay in the team, what he achieved earlier this year will never be forgotten.
This was the local lad with the wildest of dreams that came true in winning both the League and Scottish Cup in the same season.
The city of Perth toasted the tastiest of doubles.
Another dream came true last week when Gordon was named captain of St Johnstone FC. He was honoured and privileged.
“I’m very proud of Liam and I think it’s just fantastic,” added John, a massive Saints fan himself.
“I remember him coming to the football on the supporters’ bus. He has always been a Saints fan and there is no denying that.
“Playing for your home team is what you dream of as a kid. Liam, Stevie May, David Wotherspoon - it’s just terrific. It’s special. All of the players will look up to Liam and will know what it means.
“When we won the cup we got a Facetime from him. He always has time to stop and speak. Always. I see him up at the park before matches sometimes and he is always over asking how I am doing.”
That was a message reiterated by Gerry, who continued: “I messaged Liam after both cup finals and he took the time to get back to me.
“He would have been inundated with messages but he got back to say thanks for everything myself and John did. He is still very respectful and it is almost like you are still his football manager when he speaks to you.
“It’s still surreal to see him playing now and it was really nice to see him being named captain the other day.”
While John and Gerry aren’t taking any real credit for Gordon’s rise to defensive stardom, they will always have that St Johns cup final to fondly look back on with a smile.
Gerry concluded: “He deserves this success. It’s a fantastic story.”
Local football star Ray Stewart called Liam Gordon to congratulate him on being named the new St Johnstone skipper.
Gordon, from the Fair City and a boyhood supporter of the Perth club, was honoured to be handed the captain’s armband last week.
Former Saints defender and West Ham legend Stewart, who grew up in Stanley, was made up for the 25-year-old centre-half.
“When I read Liam had been made captain I was so taken aback,”Stewart smiled.“What a great bit of news. I was so pleased for the lad.
“I know how much St Johnstone means to him. I had a bit of a lump in my throat talking to him about it all.
“I said to him whether you are playing or not, you are still the club captain and just keep doing what you’ve been doing.
“It’s an honour for him. To come from Perth and be the St Johnstone captain? It must be one of the greatest feelings.
“His grandfather used to take him to the football years and years ago. So this is all just fantastic, I have to say.”
Stewart, a former Scotland international who won the FA Cup with the Hammers, played for Saints from 1991-92 under Alex Totten.
He continues to live locally and has kept a close eye on Gordon’s progress through the years.
“He is a young lad to be a club captain but he has it in him,”Stewart added.“He wants to win, is a good talker and is a good motivator. He would always be in my team, put it that way. He would always do as you asked.
“I’ve watched him for a long time, back to when he went out on loan. That is never easy but it makes you better.
“A lot of centre-halves need to be ball players now and Liam can do all that. But he does his first job, which is to defend.”
It goes without saying that Stewart was delighted for the club when they won both the League Cup and Scottish Cup last season.
And with Gordon as skipper and Callum Davidson as manager, he imagines the good times will continue.
Stewart said:“Callum Davidson needs respect too because he’s done a job that probably no other manager has.
“It’s fantastic what Saints have achieved. I remember saying to Callum that I couldn’t believe he did that in a few months.
“I’m a supporter because deep down I’m from Perth and Saints has always been my team.
“And I think that they are certainly on the right tracks with Liam as the captain.”