This feeling never dies... six trophies in two years is incredible

SAYS CRAIG GORDON

SOME risks are worth taking, some pain made bearable by circumstance and a sense of occasion. ‘I was struggling a bit — but you would have needed to chop my legs off to stop me from playing,’ declared Craig Gordon, summing up his approach to a Scottish Cup final now guaranteed a special place in the history books. He’s half-serious, too.

The Scotland goalkeeper missed the final three games of Celtic’s league campaign with a knee injury.

Having already spent over two months sidelined earlier in the season, he was considered a doubt — at best — for Hampden.

Yet there he was in the starting line-up on Saturday afternoon. There he was, breaking Motherwell hearts any time they threatened to come back into a game beyond their reach.

Gordon admitted: ‘It was still pretty sore during the game, but I managed to get through it — and now I’ve got four weeks off.

‘I knew I could get through a game, even though I missed the three leading up to it.

‘But, as long as I could get out on the pitch and feel like I could contribute, I would do that. Thankfully, the manager had faith in me to be able to do that. With another clean sheet, hopefully that repaid him.

‘It doesn’t get old, winning trophies and winning medals. To back up the three from last year with another three this year is an incredible achievement for everyone.

‘I’m just as enthusiastic as ever — because this is such a special group we have here. It’s a special time for the Celtic fans, to have six trophies in two years.

‘It’s never been done before. It’s just great to be part of it. I’m sure everybody will remember this period as one of the best in Celtic’s history.’

Gordon (right) has been a major part of Celtic’s double Treble. Given everything he has been through in his career, not least seeing off the challenge of Dorus de Vries early in the Brendan Rodgers era, that is remarkable enough. Given a relatively painless run, then, it’s no wonder he is unwilling to start placing restrictions on his career from here on in. Asked how long he might carry on, Gordon gave a nod of appreciation towards one of Europe’s best as he said: ‘Gianluigi Buffon has just left Juventus at 40. ‘So I’ve still got a wee bit to go if I want to catch him up. But you never know. As long as I’m fit enough to keep contributing to this team, keep playing in such a successful team, then I’ll try to go out there season after season. ‘I’ve still got two years left on this contract and I want to go on as long as possible. If my body’s okay, I’ll go on well beyond that. I think I’ve been fairly consistent. I’ve probably played fewer games this season than last. ‘I missed five games when Dorus came in, then got back into the team. It was about adjusting to what the manager wanted from me. ‘Hopefully, I can continue to do that.’ Gordon has a front-row seat to arguably the best show in Scottish football at the moment, playing behind a Celtic team who can play their half-touch game at mesmerising speed. ‘I can see the plans we’ve put in place coming together from a good vantage point,’ acknowledged the 35-year-old.

‘It’s good tactical play and to see the guys carrying that out, winning games and scoring fantastic goals, it’s just a joy to watch.

‘I didn’t have too much to do in the final, a couple of saves, but the guys really controlled the game.

‘The guys in front of me were dominant, winning balls in the air, which we knew would be needed against Motherwell.

‘The manager has a great way of keeping everybody involved, making everybody feel like they’re part of it.

‘It’s always been about the squad. We had 60-odd games this season, there were only 11 who could start in the final game — but everybody has contributed to another Treble.’

Football being a demanding business, thoughts already turn towards what Celtic might do by way of an encore. A treble Treble?

‘We’ve just finished this one!’ said a laughing Gordon. ‘We’ll celebrate this one, then get together in pre-season and set our aims to go again. You do get greedy for success.

‘But the guys in there know how much this has taken. To do one Treble is really difficult. To do two back-to-back, it’s so much effort from everybody at the club.

‘The players who haven’t played for a while have to come in and do a job. Absolutely everything has to come together. The squad, the camaraderie in there, we’ve stuck together — whatever anyone has chucked at us this season.

‘To come out with another three trophies is just incredible. And I can’t see it being done again — not for a very long time.

‘We’ve got to take stock. We need to use this time to recover, let things calm down and recharge the batteries. We’re only four weeks away from pre-season, so we’ve not got that long.’

Barring a disaster of limbshattering proportions, Gordon will be there. Eager as ever to play his part in something special.