Only ‘crazy money’ will prise away McGregor
Gordon tells McGregor nowhere matches Celtic
CRAIG GORDON believes it would need ‘crazy money’ to persuade Celtic to part with Callum McGregor. The Scotland international is in the best form of his career, with English Premier League side Bournemouth credited with an interest after losing young midfielder Lewis Cook to a serious knee injury. McGregor filled the void vacated in the middle of the park when Scott Brown was injured and Gordon believes the 25-year-old will be tracked by some of the best teams in Europe after solidifying his reputation as a big-game player. Asked if McGregor is now in the £20million bracket, the Parkhead goalkeeper said: ‘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
CELTIC’s annual visit to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children performs two functions. It provides a lift to the morale of sick and ill young people at Christmas. And reminds wealthy, fit young footballers just how lucky they are.
During periods like this, Craig Gordon needs little or no prompting. The Betfred Cup was secured two weekends ago, the Parkhead side returned to the top of the sPFL Premiership on saturday and this week brings an opportunity to reach the last 32 of the Europa League by securing a point at home against Red Bull salzburg.
As Callum McGregor becomes the first Parkhead player to be linked with a big money move to England ahead of the January transfer window, the scotland goalkeeper — a former £9million sunderland player — has a simple message for his team-mate. Look before you leap.
‘This is a great place to be,’ said Gordon. ‘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 English 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 do not 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.
‘For me, personally, it is the place to be at the moment. It is a great club doing great things and playing so well.’
Bournemouth are seeking cover for injured midfielder Lewis Cook in the January window. Sportsmail understands the Cherries are likely to settle for a loan signing rather than spend big.
Gordon believes the slim prospect of a bid being filed is unlikely to be giving his midfield team-mate sleepless nights.
‘It is that good an atmosphere here,’ he added. ‘It is very difficult to find that elsewhere.
‘I am at a different stage in my career. You can’t compare me to Callum. I’m coming towards the end and have found something that’s fantastic at this moment in time in terms of my career.
‘Callum is much younger and still has a lot of his career ahead of him. For everyone here at Celtic to be involved at this time, it is a great place to be — and that’s the reason there’s not been a clamour to leave.
‘Everyone wants to play in the team. You can see that by people coming in and grabbing their opportunity.
‘They have to, because you have to work so hard to stay in the team. Everyone is pushing each other in training. As long as we have that group mentality, I don’t see it changing anytime soon.’
A point on Thursday would cap a productive period for Brendan Rodgers and his side, securing European football after Christmas for a second straight year.
Reminded that a clean sheet against a salzburg team already in the last 32 would be enough, Gordon grins.
‘As easy as that, eh? Well, nobody’s managed it against them in the group yet,’ he said. ‘They’ve won it and they’re flying high at the moment, so it’ll be a difficult task to do that.
‘But our focus will be to score goals and win the game.
‘Finishing second would be an achievement and we’ve managed three wins already.
‘A lot of people wrote us off when the groups were drawn, thinking it would be too difficult for us to get through this one but it’s in our own hands going into the last game.’
With a full house at home, Gordon believes Celtic will be duty-bound to play to win.
‘I don’t think we can play for a point. Obviously, things can change as the game progresses, depending on what we need and that could influence what happens, but, to begin with, we’ll be going out to win.’ he stated.
‘so we’ll still play our way and pass the ball out from the back. That sets up our attacks and it would take something away from the team and the other guys further up the pitch if we didn’t do that.
‘We’ll try and build the game. There will be no change from that point of view. People say it’s risky but we don’t lose too many goals as a result of it.
‘Listen, if it is an open, entertaining affair and it finishes 2-2, so be it — at least we’ll be through.
‘We want to be in the draw and then we’ll see what happens. Teams drop into this competition from the Champions League in the next round, so there will be some really big names in it.
‘There were two big clubs in our group but there will be even more we could face if we get out of it. It would be good to put ourselves in that position but it’s going to take a very good performance.’