Wednesday 20 May 2015 15:31, UK
Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been named as the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
The 32-year-old picked up the award in his first season back in football following a two-year spell on the sidelines because of a knee injury.
It is the second time the Scotland international has won the writers’ award after picking up the prize while at Hearts in 2006.
Gordon became Ronny Deila’s first signing as Celtic manager last June, establishing himself as the club’s first-choice keeper following the departure of Fraser Forster to Southampton.
I didn’t think I’d play as many games, so to come away with a league winners medal having played more than 50 games is pretty special.
Speaking to the Celtic View, he said: “When I came back to football I didn’t know what level I would start at – whether I would be in the top league in Scotland or whether I’d be starting down the leagues trying to work my way back and prove myself all over again.
“So to get the opportunity to prove myself in the first place was great, although a lot of things fell my way and I got a little bit lucky with things like Fraser Forster leaving which meant there was a spot open for me and I’ve managed to take that.”
Gordon helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership title and League Cup in his first season at Parkhead and says he is aiming for more success next year.
The former Hearts player has enjoyed a stellar season between the sticks, with Celtic conceding just 17 goals in the Premiership going into the campaign’s final fixture.
And should Gordon keep a clean sheet in the final match of the season against Inverness on Sunday, he will help his side match a 96-year record for fewest goals conceded in a campaign in Scotland.
'Good season'
He said: “There were a lot of factors that have gone my way to producing a successful season. I didn’t even think I’d play as many games, so to come away with a Premiership league winners medal having played more than 50 games in a season is pretty special.
“It feels good to win the league and it has been a long time coming. In my career I’ve won the three trophies in Scotland now and that’s a great thing to have on the CV. It would have been nice to win them all in the one year but certainly we’ve had a good season.
“We’ve been very consistent and for me, personally, not losing an awful lot of goals in the league campaign has been great and it has been one of the best defensive records I’ve had in recent times so there are lots of things to be proud of.
“It’s great that I’ve managed to get back to this level of football and be successful and hopefully I can carry that on next season.”
