GORDON AIMS FOR CENTURY AT HAMPDEN

MAKING 100 appearances for a club is a welcome landmark for any player. When that milestone is reached during the frenzy and excitement of an Old Firm derby, it’s obviously an even more special occasion. But Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon says racking up his century will only be memorable if he helps Ronny Deila’s side to victory over Rangers in this Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. ‘It’s a good one to bring up the 100th with,’ admitted the 33-year-old Scotland international (right), who has been a mainstay for the Parkhead side since they took a chance on him following his two-year battle with a knee injury. ‘It’s a good achievement to get to 100 already as it’s not even two seasons into my time here. ‘I’ve played a lot of games here in a short space of time so it’s something to be proud of, especially from where I’ve come from. ‘I’m happy with that but let’s hope I can mark that occasion with a good result. ‘That’s what we’re aiming for and that’s what I’d like to see at the end of it. ‘Regardless of what game it is, you want to go to Hampden and win so it’d be nice to be able to look back on my 100th game and have a victory behind me.’ Rangers have already captured the Championship crown and Petrofac Training Cup in their last two matches and demonstrated the major strides they have taken since last season by beating Premiership Dundee 4-0 in the Cup quarter-finals. They are certainly expected to give Celtic a far stiffer test than they did during a 2-0 defeat to Deila’s men in last season’s League Cup semi-final between the old rivals. But Gordon told his club website: ‘I don’t think form matters. It’s all about who plays on the day. ‘We’ve been to Hampden and played in semi-finals and not got the result we wanted over the last couple of years so we know we have to go there and perform if we’re to get the right result.’ Celtic have lost to Ross County, Inverness, St Mirren, Hearts and Kilmarnock at Hampden in the past five seasons. Defeat to a lowerleague Rangers would probably be even more difficult to stomach for their supporters. But Gordon, who was sent off in last season’s semi-final against Caley Thistle, refuses to get uptight about the pressure on the Parkhead side ahead of the derby. ‘You enjoy it and don’t think about it too much,’ said the former Hearts and Sunderland No1. ‘It’s a game of football and one that we want to win. ‘I enjoy the pressure that it brings and the derby aspect is something that, no matter what club you’re playing for, is the biggest game, so I look forward to it and, hopefully, we can get another win.’