CELTIC have opened talks with goalkeeper Craig Gordon over a bumper new contract.
The Scotland No.1 was the subject of two bids from Chelsea in the January transfer window as Antonio Conte sought a replacement for Asmir Begovic, who was wanted by Bournemouth.
With Gordon promised a pay rise if he remained at Parkhead, his agent was in Glasgow last night to begin negotiations.
The 34-year-old former Sunderland and Hearts keeper still has 18 months left on his current £12,000-a-week deal.
The Hoops can’t match the reported £50,000-a-week the Stamford Bridge outfit were reportedly prepared to pay for his services, but the champions will look to ward off a fresh bid in the summer by placing Gordon among their top earners.
Gordon’s career was in jeopardy for two years as he fought serious injuries.
Ronny Deila threw him a lifeline in the summer of 2014 when he sold Fraser Forster to Southampton for £10million and brought in the shotstopper who had been released by Martin O’Neill at the Stadium of Light club.
Gordon has been a virtual mainstay in the first team, despite a five-game glitch earlier in the season after Brendan Rodgers brought in £400,000 Dorus de Vries from Nottingham Forest.
The intention was for de Vries to play a sweeper keeper role but things did not go according to plan for the Dutchman and after a series of errors he was substituted at half time in the league match against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park after conceding from 40 yards.
De Vries’ misfortune was Gordon’s gain and the international star made an impressive comeback staring in that second half against Killie. Gordon has also adapted his game to play the sweeper keeper role that Rodgers seeks.
Now the Hoops boss believes that Craig Gordon can play on for Celtic until he reaches 40, at least.
