CRAIG GORDON has confirmed his six years at Celtic have come to an end.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper, who was signed by Ronny Deila as a replacement for Southampton-bound Fraser Forster in the summer of 2014, has been a free agent since his contract expired at the start of this month.
Gordon rejected the offer of an extension on reduced terms and sparked interest from former club Hearts, Premiership outfit St Mirren and English Championship side Derby County.
There had been talk of the champions following up with an improved bid, but that doesn’t appear to have materialised which prompted the former Scotland international shotstopper to make his emotional farewell in an Instagram post.
The one-time £9million netminder said: “The last six years have been the most successful period of my professional career and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in making this possible.
“The club, for initially taking a chance on someone who hadn’t played in nearly three years. And to Woodsy (goalkeeper coach Steve Woods) for encouraging me to make the move in the first place and for training me ridiculously hard ever since.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing alongside some brilliant team-mates – who without, my time at the club would have been very different.
“The fans, for their support. Home, away… all over the world. Thank you.
“My family, who have been there through it all. The ups and downs, the miles, the sacrifices, the celebrations. I hope I’ve made them proud.
“At 37, and with a few years in me yet, I just want to play the game I love, and have played for 20+ professional seasons. Football can make for difficult decisions, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter and challenge.
“Thank you, again.”
Gordon’s ex-Tynecastle club have offered a two-year deal with the possibility of a 12-month option which the goalie is considering.
He has already rejected the approach from Jim Goodwin at the Paisley side and has insisted he is in no rush to make a final decision.
