Craig Gordon out of contract at Sunderland but ‘nothing going on’ with Celtic

CRAIG Gordon has cooled talk of a summer move to Celtic by insisting he would prefer to remain in the English Premier League.

The out-of-favour Sunderland goalkeeper, whose contract at the Stadium of Light expires next month, has been strongly linked with new SPL champions Celtic, whose manager Neil Lennon has publicly stated his admiration for the 29-year-old. Plagued by a variety of injuries over the past two years, Gordon has dropped down the pecking order at Sunderland to become third-choice ’keeper behind Belgian No 1 Simon Mignolet and Republic of Ireland international Kieron Westwood.

Celtic have so far been unable to secure the future of Fraser Forster, the Newcastle United goalkeeper who has just enjoyed another successful season on loan at Parkhead, and Gordon is regarded by Lennon as an ideal candidate to replace him. But the Scotland international, who left Hearts to join Sunderland for a record £9 million fee five years ago, said yesterday there has been no contact from Celtic so far.

“There’s nothing going on (with Celtic) at the moment,” he said, “but I am just waiting to see what my options are and take it from there. It’s a case of waiting to see over the summer. I’m out of contract now so it’s about seeing what offers come in and picking the best one from there, really. I could stay in England or a move to Europe could appeal. I am open to any offer. I would love to stay in the English Premier League but if that happens or not, if it’s the best deal for me, time will tell.”

Gordon made just one first-team appearance for Sunderland this season, against Bolton Wanderers last month, but is fully fit and has been recalled to the Scotland squad for next week’s friendly against USA in Florida.

“I have been training for a few months now and hopefully I’ll get some time on the pitch in America,” he added. “I had a pretty good game against Bolton, I’m happy with the way I’m training and playing. It’s just about getting a run of games now.

“Losing my place at Sunderland because of injury was frustrating, but that’s part of the game. Other players come in and do well.

“It’s just a case now of me progressing my career somewhere else and finding the move that is right for me.”