Saturday, April 20, 2024
SportScottish PremiershipIreland legend Shay Given insists Celtic keeper Craig Gordon faces huge dilemma...

Ireland legend Shay Given insists Celtic keeper Craig Gordon faces huge dilemma over Chelsea move

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Ireland legend and Celtic fan Shay Given reckons Craig Gordon faces a huge dilemma after Chelsea reportedly made a move for the Hoops goalkeeper.

The vastly experienced 134-times capped Given, who is now at Stoke City, reckons Gordon will have to weigh up the financial incentive of moving to Stamford Bridge as back-up against his opportunities of playing first team football.

Gordon is wanted by Blues manager Antonio Conte as number two to Thibaut Courtois with Asmir Begovic set to join Bournemouth.

(Pic: Tomasz Przechlewski)

Scotland internationalist Gordon spent two years out of the game with a knee injury that came close to ending his career and Hoops supporter Given reckons that could be a factor in the 34-year-old deciding his future.

Given, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “It’s a tricky one because probably from a financial point of view he is going to benefit more from going to Chelsea.

“But from a playing point of view he is much better staying at Glasgow Celtic, and for me hopefully he does stay there because I’m a bit of a Celtic fan.

“You can understand he has to look after his family as well and it’s a short career, he has to weigh that up as well.

“Craig had two years out with a bad injury and he didn’t play any football so he’s probably desperate to play as much football as possible to maybe make up for those couple of years.

“He’s having a great season, as his clean sheet stats show – what a fantastic season and I’m sure every Celtic fan would love him to stay.”

Gordon is in the final six months of his contract but Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has said that the club have the option to extend his deal.

Given added: “I’m surprised he’s only got six months left, I’m surprised they’ve not tied him up to a longer deal already.”

Related Stories