Gordon would welcome Cole signing

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon believes old adversary Carlton Cole still has what it takes to do a job for Celtic.

The 31-year-old former West Ham striker, out of contract since leaving the Londoners in the summer, is training this week with the Parkhead club in a bid to win a deal.

The first thing Cole did on meeting former Sunderland player Gordon, much to the keeper's delight, was make reference to the wonder save he made from the England international during the Black Cats' 2-1 victory over the Hammers in March, 2008.

Gordon has only taken part in one training session with Cole this week, but saw enough to believe Cole could be an asset to Ronny Deila's squad.

The 32-year-old Scotland keeper said: "He stuck a few goals away in training, so the finishing aspect is certainly still there. That was pleasing to see.

"It's also nice that the first thing he said was he remembered a save I had against him when he was playing for West Ham. It was good he still had that in his mind from back then.

"I was going to remind him but he beat me to it. So that was nice to acknowledge that one.

"He was on my team at training, so I've not had the chance yet to make a few more saves from him. He's younger than me, he should have a few years left in him yet.

"Certainly from what I've seen in the finishing exercises he was doing he was scoring a few goals, so if he does come in it will give us something a little bit different.''

Gordon will come up against former club Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday and believes the visitors will be buoyed by their dramatic League Cup win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Wednesday night.

While Celtic were beating Championship side Raith Rovers 2-0 in their third-round tie at Parkhead with relative ease, the Gorgie men scored two last-gasp goals to beat Killie 3-2 and register their first victory in four games.

Gordon said: "Hearts started the season really well but they went through a three-game patch where they didn't pick up anything.

"But they won on Wednesday night with a good comeback win, so that will certainly give them a good boost and a good bit of confidence coming into this one.

"I think they will come in thinking they can take something from the game, so it should be a good one.''