Motherwell: McCall casts eye on fit-again Gordon

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall. Picture: Roberto Cavieres

Gordon has been training with Rangers for several months after a second operation on damaged knee tendons overcame an injury that threatened to end his career. The 31-year-old, who only played once in his final season at Sunderland, has been without a club for almost two years but has declared himself fit and has been talking to clubs.

Former Motherwell goalkeeper Andy Goram, one of McCall’s ex-Rangers team-mates, has claimed that Fir Park would be ideal for Gordon to resurrect his career, given that England’s John Ruddy and Republic of Ireland cap  Darren Randolph have flourished there in recent years. The position has not been so settled this season, with Gunnar Nielsen struggling for form since joining on a two-year deal last summer, while Lee Hollis has missed much of the campaign through injury.

McCall did not rule out a move for the former Hearts goalkeeper, who cost Sunderland £9 million. He said: “I believe Craig is in at Rangers and looking fit and sharp. I would imagine, if his fitness isn’t in question, he will have far bigger clubs than us chasing him. It’s an interesting one, but all the goalkeeping dealings are down to [goalkeeping coach] Gordon Marshall. But there is no doubt, prior to his injuries, he was world class.”

When asked directly if he was interested, McCall said: “I think it would be crazy to say you are not interested in somebody. But, then again, we would be interested in Wayne Rooney if he popped up next week. It was certainly a good move for Andy. Nobody would have expected him to move on to Man United after coming to Motherwell, and that’s what happened.

“I fully understood what Andy was saying and, if Andy wants to chip in with some of Craig’s wages, then I would be more than happy.”

McCall has more pressing concerns with up to eight players missing through injury for today’s Scottish Premiership clash at St Mirren Park. Henri Anier and Craig Reid picked up knocks in the midweek win at Inverness and will be joined for a fitness test by an unnamed player who suffered an injury scare in training, while Hollis, James McFadden, Stuart Carswell, Paul Lawson and Simon Ramsden remain out.

Home boss Danny Lennon has bigger worries as his side occupy the relegation play-off spot. He pointed out that his team are only six points behind seventh-placed Hibernian and insists his players have all the necessary attributes to get out of trouble.

“There are six points separating the bottom five teams [above relegation-bound Hearts] and a lot of people have us pencilled in for a play-off position and that suits us fine,” said Lennon. “That position hasn’t been settled yet. We certainly know what to do and it is in our own capable hands to go and do it. I know the character and the fight of the players in the dressing room.

“At this stage, a lot of people will mention character and fight and, in my time, my players have shown that. With six games to go we have to make sure we bring those strengths out.”