CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers today settled the nerves of the Celtic support by confirming that Craig Gordon will start in goal against Manchester City in tomorrow night’s Champions League clash.
The Scotland international No. 1 will return after spending the majority of the past month on the subs’ bench following the arrival of Dorus de Vries from Nottingham Forest.
The Dutchman has yet to keep a clean sheet and has also conceded 12 goals in five outings, including seven in Barcelona on Matchday One earlier this month.
Explaining his reasoning at today’s press conference, Rodgers said: “Craig Gordon will start tomorrow. As it is for every game. I pick the team to come in and play.”
And on de Vries’ fitness he added : “He trained yesterday and today. He’s still a bit sore, but he’s fine.”Gordon was dropped for the visit of Aberdeen four weeks ago, but his 35-year-old replacement has since come under the spotlight after failing to have shut-out and shipping seven in the Nou Camp.
Gordon was back in goal for the visit of Alloa in last week’s Betfred League Cup-tie which the Hoops won 2-0.But de Vries returned for the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday and lost a 40-yarder as the Rugby Park side took a sensational lead.
He was injured at the goal and Gordon replaced him after the interval as Rodgers’ side roared to a 6-1 triumph. The big goalie could have joined the Green Brigade in the magnificent Standing Section at Celtic Park for that second half, as he was a virtual spectator as Celtic put on an attacking show.
You get the feeling that Gordon will be busier tomorrow and the incentive is there for him to put on a display we all know he is capable of and secure the jersey for the rest of the season.
Last night we reported on what Craig Gordon reckons he has to do to impress the gaffer and what Brendan said to him after the 6-1 victory against Kilmarnock – read it HERE.
