Managerial uncertainty may not work in our favour, says Craig Gordon
Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon is not reading too much into the managerial upheaval at Champions League qualifying opponents Rosenborg.
Last updated 24th Jul 2018
Academy director Rini Coolen was installed as interim boss of the Norwegian club last week after Kare Ingebrigsten and his assistant Erik Hoftun were sacked following the narrow win over Valur of Iceland.
The decision led to the Rosenborg players issuing a statement in which they "vehemently disagreed'' with the move.
Ahead of the first leg of the second qualifying-round clash at Parkhead on Wednesday night, goalkeeper Gordon, 35, said: "You never know, these things can go two ways.
"They can lift a team and make them play even better and, on the other hand, if he was a popular manager then it can go the other way.
"We won't concern ourselves too much with that. I am sure the players will want to show the new manager that they deserve to be there and they are there for the future to play in his team.
"They will be out to try to win the game.
"I don't think they will need any more motivation than to get to the next stage of the Champions League so I don't think it will have a huge bearing.
"I don't think it changes anything a great deal.''
The former Hearts keeper recalled a "shock'' departure of a manager when George Burley left Tynecastle in 2005 with the Gorgie side unbeaten and top of the table.
He said: "We had a good group of experienced players and we managed to deal with it pretty well and still managed to go on and have a successful season.
"But that was a shock.
"But your job is to go out and play football and you have to continue no matter what time of the season it is.
"It is part and parcel of the game now. Managers come and go quite frequently and players have to get on with the job no matter who is in charge so I don't think it will have a huge bearing on their players.'