GORDON REVEALS ‘RISK’

CRAIG GORDON has admitted he has taken a gamble quitting Celtic.

The 37-year-old keeper rejoined former club Hearts after knocking back a contract extension at the Hoops which had been offered at reduced terms.

Gordon, who has picked up 54 caps for Scotland, won six league medals at Parkhead after ex-boss Ronny Deila signed him in the summer of 2014 as a replacement for Southampton-bound Fraser Forster.

Ironically, the possible return of the  towering former England international – a move which is in the balance at the moment – helped make up the Scot’s mind to go to the Edinburgh outfit with the guarantee of a two-year deal and first-team football.

Gordon also enjoyed success in two Scottish Cups and five League Cups in the east end of Glasgow. However, the experienced netminder passed up the opportunity to be part of the Hoops’ bid for a record-breaking 10 in a row.

He also rejected the opportunity to remain in the Premiership with St Mirren to return to the Tynecastle side who were demoted at the end of the coronavirus-stricken campaign.

The shotstopper, speaking to the Sunday Mail, said: “There is risk in every move. You could make a case for all the other scenarios.

“The overriding thing for me was wanting to get back an opportunity to play games and also to come to Hearts. With the history I have here, that’s how I made this decision and I am happy with my choice.

“There are still a good few years left in my career to give something back and help the club progress.”

It had been anticipated Hearts gaffer Robbie Neilson may reward his his former team-mate with the captain’s armband, but the custodian has already been warned off by veteran forward Steven Naismith.

He said: “Naisy has already texted me as he wants to get hold of that. If you have many captain-types in your team it’s going to be good.

“We have plenty of leaders and you need that, especially at this time when things are a bit uncertain.

“You want experienced guys to take control and guide everyone through it.”