Gordon grateful for Celtic chance

Photo by Jeff Holmes

New Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon admits it is ironic that he signed for the Scottish champions after the part played by Old Firm rivals Rangers in his recovery from injury hell.

The 31-year-old former Hearts and Sunderland stopper has flown out to Austria to join up with the Hoops' pre-season training camp after penning a two-year deal.

His Parkhead move ends a nightmare two-year stint since leaving the Stadium of Light in May 2012.

The last time he kicked a ball competitively was a 2-2 draw with Bolton a month before he was released by the Black Cats.

Since then a devastating run of arm and knee injuries left him wondering if he would ever play again.

But he was finally able to start back on the road to recovery last year with the help of Rangers and their medical team.

Despite spending weeks training at Murray Park, though, a deal with Ally McCoist's side failed to materialise and now Gordon has opted to cross Glasgow and sign for the Hoops.

Asked if he ever came close to becoming a Rangers player, the former Scotland international said: Not really. They talked about an offer a little bit but that's done now. I want to look forward to what I'm doing here.

There is a lot of things going on at Rangers and I don't think that I was high on their priority list.

They offered me training facilities. I was grateful for that. I worked with their physios and they are great people. They have got me back to this point.

It's slightly ironic, I know, for me to end up here but for me it's a great opportunity to get back playing at a club playing at the highest level and fighting to get into the Champions League. This is by far the biggest club I have ever played for.''

Gordon's performances with the Jambos - including a Scottish Cup winner's medal in 2006 - earned him a £9million move to Sunderland in 2007, then a British record fee for a goalkeeper.

A knee injury sidelined him for three months in the 2008/09 campaign and the following season a broken arm saw him miss a further 12 weeks.

Simon Mignolet displaced the Scot as number one at the Stadium of Light ahead of the 2010/11 campaign and further knee problems over the next two seasons meant he would never consistently regain his place.

He now has a fight to oust England goalkeeper Fraser Forster from the Celts line-up but Gordon is just happy to be back playing any part.

I want to play as many games as I possibly can,'' he said.

I have not been told anything (about whether I will be first or second choice) and I've not asked anything.

For me to be here at all is an achievement. It's a fantastic club to be joining after the injury nightmare I have had.

I'm grateful to have this opportunity and I'm going to work as hard as I possibly can to play as many games as I can.

I came close to the point where I thought I might never play again. I had to work very hard and put in a lot of hours that will hopefully stand me in good stead once I get back into full training and playing games.''

Gordon's injury woes have also allowed Hull keeper Allan McGregor to cement his place as Scotland's number one keeper but the former holder of that honour has not given up hope on reclaiming his Dark Blues spot.

I have never hidden the fact I would love to get back playing for Scotland again,'' said Gordon.

But we will see. I need to get back playing and stay fit before I get back in. But that is an aim.''