Craig Gordon

BR has turned Gordon and Broony around from being over the hill to primed and vital cogs.
Under Delia (or kuntybollix to his close buddies) they were looking washed up old nags ready to be abandoned put to field and left to memory Irish traveller style, or shot civilized society style.

His box passing is worrying and looks stressed by strict style BR must insist on, but have to say he is a goalie to rely on for big saves. Keep him for now.

 

That’s plenty.

 

Craig Gordon, all goals conceded 2017-18

Celtic 4 - 1 Hearts


2st goal we conceded last season in competitive football, folk claim he is an excellent shot stopped, now while it was a well struck shot, it's hardly an endearing highlight for Gordon when he goes down early, leaves his near post massively open by doing so and proceeds not to be a great shot stopper as they score.

Astana 4 - 3 Celtic


First goal we can't lay the blame anywhere, one of those unfortunate goals, I'm sure Ajer has learned from that a little, but it happens to even the best in the world. Just before that first goal though, ball drops right in front of Gordon, 4 yards from goal line and he watches it go by. This is something that irritates me no end, his refusal to collect a ball and take charge of his 6 yard box. During these highlights we see twice as well he is unable to hold a ball after a shot, and insteads parrys it even in to the danger area. Thankfully not an issue these times. But goal 2 and 3, ball crossed in and drops 8 yards out and very central, twice a player hits the ball on target, and for being such a great shot stopper, why is Gordon getting beat in such a central area - and why hasn't he collected a cross that is coming to bounce merely 8 yards from his goal line. Doesn't come out to get the ball and can't shot stop it seems. 4th goal, defensively Bitton is massively questionable here, but again Gordon for the second game now gets beat at his near post. He leaves that space open. When you have a player baring down on you and your team mates closing in to your right, it is the keepers responsibility to make sure the near post is covered. Much like when setting up a wall at a freekick, you get the wall to cover one side and you * make sure you can reach and cover the other end of the goal. Shot stopper failed today.


Celtic 1 - 1 St Johnstone


Almost don't need to say a thing for this one. But there you are with a lovely highlight of his far to casual lofty aimless pass. Outside of the right foot, seriously? if he wants to pretend that was a skiffed shot, then it begs the question where/what was his original intent. Followed up by raising the hand for offside as if that excuses him, then absolutely no effort to redeem himself.

3 game sin to this, not exactly doing himself justice here.

Hamilton 1 - 4 Celtic


Perhaps this explains why he doesn't come from crosses inside his 6 yard box. What a flap and a pointless effort to come for that ball. Decent header from the player, who gets there well in front of Gordon, so a bit of a well taken goal/Gordon was clueless in the whole thing.

Celtic 0 - 5 PSG

The notion that it is PSG will allow this to slide for a lot of people, but still needs to be highlighted.
Goal chopped off for offside, but that ball comes across his face of goal and within his six yard box. in fact it is a single yard away from him, why isn't he going to ground and smothering that ball? Instead long before Cavani even touches the ball Gordon has already gave up on the ball and his right hand is claiming offsoide. Correct call, but play to the whistle Gordon. Collect the ball as the cross gets made and better yet, cover that post.
Then it is followed up by parry in to the center position, again dangerous but gets away with it. 1st goal, defensively Ralston at fault, but Gordon being the great shot stopper that he is and the experince he has should be quick to close that down. Hardly an amazing shot from Neymar here. Shot stopping, failed again. Goal two is a calamity for all in the backline, but the shot is inevitably coming straight at him - shot stopping greatness? 3rd goal, penalty, can't fault Gordon for that. 4th, Lustig!!! But that cross is low and 2 yards from the goal line, keeper should be on that every time. letting that ball go by him, he becomes absolutely useless for any follow up shot. 2 yards from goal line and a ball is allowed to go through! 5th, a ball bounces 6 yards - 6.5 yards coming in, keeper for me should be coming out to claim that as well, but he doesnt. Crazy looping header from Cavani to be fair, but no reflect saves, no shot stopping here from Gordon as he almost seems beaten before Cavani even gets the touch again.

Celtic 2 - 2 Hibs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AKB4Gv01Iw
This one proved difficult to find decent highlights of. But to be fair, McGinn takes two cracking shots. First one Gordon tag of a great shot stopper I would expect him then to make a better attempt at saving that one. But the shots were good, other keepers would be equally beaten.

Bayern 3 - 0 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCdXhbbogOQ
Becoming a theme these low ball crosses within 2-3 yards of the goal line, keeper should be going to ground there and killing that attack as the ball comes across from Lewandowski, called to have crossed out for a goal kick, he gets lucky there.
1st goal, debatable for the distance, but for me Gordon is caught ball watching as that cross comes in, otherwise he had the time to read the flight of that ball and get in front of Lewandowski, Keeper always gets that ball in a 50-50 and if anything wins a foul. But the shot eventually from the head of Lewandowski isn't really powerful, he yet again doesn't hold on to that ball, instead drops it this time in to danger, and his supposed shot stopping and reflexes are no where to be seen.
2nd goal, caught flat footed. It can happen, I want to excuse him a little for this one, but then I keep thinking of all his defenders claiming great reflexes and the likes - looked like he got caught out and knew it. More likely to let him off though. Actually, as I see the replays more, he isn't flat footed or caught going in the wrong direction, his right foot makes the reaction to move in the right direction, the rest o him has given up. 3rd goal, see the second goal, looked given up.

Celtic 4 - 2 Hibs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMfkefSlmy0
Stokes freekick, punching that ball back in to the danger area. 1st goal, penalty. Can't fault keeper. 2nd goal, defensively we let him get through, but it's a weak shot close to the keeper who yet again looks more defeated than ever going to make a great save. Does well to come out a little for the ball, but hardly a world class strike that put it outwith his reach.

Celtic 1 - 1 Killmarnock
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN9YFfZr2Lg
Great shot initially and Gordon does really well to cover it, turn and get back up for potential balls coming back in. But again, a player breaks through and he doesn't at all show any great reflexes here or great shot stopping. I feel I am repeating these two attributes, but these are the two things people defend him with, yet they are the two most common errors (along with cover his six yard box for crosses) in all goals being conceded.

Celtic 1 - 2 Bayern
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cjEFQ8TekQ
First goal, it's almost like he has suddenly had a change in heart and wants to come out for a ball, oh how we wish he didnt. That was just dreadful. Decison making there was poor, very poor.
He does however go on to make a cracking save with his right foot. Which suddenly makes me realise something, the way he goes down for that save - reflex ave almost - is the exact same way he has went down for a lot of the goals so far - is he only capable of going to ground in one manner? Even a broken clock is right twice a day, is this where he gets the mythical shot stopping and reflex save tag from? His one dimensional method to going to ground?
2nd goal, a cross that floats over the six yard line, keeper obviously deciding now not to come out for balls again, shot comes in and yeah he makes a decent effort, first time we have seen him make a stretching diving save in these conceded goals to be fair.

PSG 7 - 1 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz8UZzvBdVo
First goal, credit to Neymar, but can't help but feel a stronger hand from Gordon would have saved us there. Shot stopping not at it's greatest. Second, Neymar puts it further beyond Gordon to be fair, but gone is that stretching attempt we saw at least for Bayern second goal in the previous video. Knew he was beat - but doesn't make the effort to at least go for it, stretch out for it etc. 3rd goal, if you aren't coming out to collect the ball that is dropping on your 6 yard line, at least be prepared to cover for the inevitable shot that is coming when that ball gets crossed back to landing 2 yards in front of you. 4th goal, makes good contact, closes down reasonably well. Can't fault too much on that goal. Perhaps if he knew how to parry a ball out of the danger area though. Goal 5, nothing he could do about that. Goal 6, that ball is too high and perhaps too far out, can't expect him to come for that cross, the shot would like to see more of an effort to stop it, but I guess at this point anyone would be fed up and deflated. Goal 7, a stretching diving save, just not close enough. Again not his fault here.

Motherwell 1 - 1 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMjWF4RUqfo
Comment needs to be made for that ball control and the pressure it put us under. Shocking control. That isn't something any pro footballer should be getting caught out with, regardless your position. Basic ball control.
As for the goal, nothing he could do, but he does at least make the effort to reach it for a change.

Celtic 5 - 1 Motherwell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgDYbBhoNO0
As always, if ANY team can get a ball to drop on the six yard line, they have a free attempt at goal. Gordon badly misjudges the flight of that ball, going down to collect the ball 2 yards early - but yet another sign that he doesn't actually come out for a ball.
Gordon at fault.

Celtic 0 - 1 Anderlecht
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGWE2-uxtw0
Not at fault for this one to be fair either, and I would point out late in the game he makes a good strong save. Well done Gordon.

Hibs 2 - 2 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHKdTWahuI8
Quality isn't great here, 1st goal looks like a wicked deflection off Brown? Can't fault Gordon for that.
2nd goal, defensively we are showing big signs of weakness back then, but even still, that's a very central ball, not the greatest of power on it - for the supposed great shot stopper, where is Goirdon here? Reflexes and shot stopping seem to be a myth at this point. Hard to be overly critical of Gordon for that goal, but when his defenders are claiming great reflexes and shot stopping ability, I do wonder why we aren't seeing it here.

Celtic 3 - 1 Hamilton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYugHwJBHN0
Defensively we should have closed that down better, think it takes a deflection as well, and Gordon is making a good stretching save for it. Another we can't blame him for.

Hearts 4 - 0 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3HXxJ8W5gI
THAT game.
First goal, shot stopping and near post - two big issues we have with Gordon showed up straight away. The next highlight is a great save to be fair to him. 2nd goal, defenders! Gordon makes the decent effort to dive for it, pains me to say that * lafferty put it in the one place he could score against probably any keeper. Perhaps Gordon not being stuck on his line so badly (see issue with crosses) and closed it down by even 2 yards and we could have seen that palmed out. But that is nitpicking. 3rd goal, the opposite of what was just said, for some reason this is the second time in these videos he randomly decides to come rushing out, while we have defenders in position and flaps around leaving the goal open. 4th, the one where a player is running direct on goal, he SHOULD be coming out for, when he eventually decides to do it, it's almost too late. I'm actually sticking by my original thoughts at the time - not a penalty and I don't think Gordon is to blame for actually giving that away, ref went for the easy option there.

Partick Thistle 1 - 2 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT3zxT38Ee4
Actually a great save at the start of this as well. Ref seemed a bit too easily giving that penalty, was this around the time that it was deemed we got a lot of soft pens ? Sinclair and McGregor got questioned about soft penalties for a few weeks.

Hibs 2 - 1 Celtic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETYX5sWUftQ
That stupid * lofty pass! then that ball drops inside his six yard box in front of him - keepers ball . If you aren't going to come for the ball dropping in your 6 yard box, at least be ready for the resulting shot after the cross. He surely knew that was coming?
Second goal, again drops right on his 6 yard box, does he come for it - nope. Does he make an effort to save the resulting shot - nope. What was the point in the keeper even being there.




-------------------------------------------

There we have it, something that none of you asked for, but every goal that Gordon conceded this season in competitive football. There are a handful of efforts that he really can not be blamed for. But largely he gets defended on this myth of being a great shot stopper and great reflexes, yet a large proportion of the goals conceded are actually from those traits being completely non-existent. Now Obviously there are a number of games he has saved us, games we haven't conceded in, where he will look good and some of this great shot stopping is highlighted. But when it comes down to it, he isn't doing it enough. Not when so many goals are actually him getting beat at near post, not making an effort, or what always * me off - his inability to collect a ball cleanly in his own six yard area. Note to any opposing team, drop a ball on that six yard line when Gordon is in goals and you are due a good shot on goal.

What is surprising actually, that his idiotic footwork with passing the ball around didn't actually result in more goals being scored against us. Though the fact we all get annoyed at that highlights how often he is in possession of the ball and isn't instilling confidence.

 

This is a bit out of order, mate. Even if you are right, which personally I don't think you are, going to that much effort to be so negative about one of our players is not your finest hour.

Do yourself a favour and delete the post, mate.

 

Has Gordon Killed your dug or somthing?

 

Nah, it's a highlight of our matches. I've stated a few times within that he has pulled off some good saves, some goals he just can't be at fault for either. But too often the debate around Gordon - who I think is an honest enough and good chap. Very decent keeper for us over the years, but we need better - turns in to half the forum(fans) defending him, the other half slating him. Interesting enough one of the digs about him is his kicking and ball control at the back - turns out that isn't as big of an issue as it seems, having only costed us directly, one goal it seems last season. So props to Gordon and the defenders of him.

Gordon is more than good enough for us in a domestic scene. Every keeper will have their blunders. But we need better when we consider European football. And providing the links to the videos - widely available - to keep the discussion on a more factual basis, then yeah I think this is fine.
He becomes somewhat defeated in games and gives up in some situations, where if his shot stopping ability and reflexes actually came through, he could be a much much better keeper.




@V For Vendetta Nah, he hasn't. Just at the point that Gordon clearly isn't up to scratch for us in Europe and decided on at least getting to see his season in video is better than the back and to debates we have on here.

 

Fs

 

Lol

 

@DamianWayneCSC that's one of the most biased posts I've seen against a player. If you're going to attempt a full review of his ability you need to include all of his great saves and clean sheets too.

 

A Striker gets judged based on his goal scoring
A goal keeper (and defender) get judged on their ability to stop goals being scored. I will happily hold my hands up to the fact I am in the camp of moving Gordon on, but all of the above - if you remove my biased text - is just video highlights of the mans own game. He is judged on keeping the ball out the net, there it is, every goal he conceded last season and there for folk to judge on. Do we all watch them videos and think he was blameless for the majority? Personally, he was at blame for a lot more than he wasn't.


He is judged on his distribution - his kicking especially - but that debate doesn't stand true when he has only actually been at fault for two goals due to his kicking. I think from the videos now we should drop that stick to bash him with.
He is deemed a great shot stopper with great reflexes, now I will admit there are probably loads of times this is seen throughout the season -and when they have appeared in the videos I have held my hands up to them, he has his quality moments. But for all that talk, too often those shot stopping greatness are completely lacking when they are needed most. To the degree of some basic shots sneaking past him.

It will seem harsh, but it is what he is judged on to be fair.

 

I think I love you

 

Our players aren’t untouchable, he’s cost us plenty of games and people still * at the thought of his one or two good saves a month.

Leave the post, it might refresh peoples memories.

 

That in short was my next defence.

Gordon isn't beyond criticism. He has had some good moments, and for his return to football I applaud him and he has served us fantastically, but he has never been at the level we really need a Keeper to be.

Goal Keepers are the opposite of Strikers, in that they get judged on keeping the ball OUT of the net and Strikers get judged on putting it INTO the net. So my 'biased' opinion (that is shared by many, hence the need to post it) aside, let's all look at the video evidence of the goals he has leaked - as we would look at the goals that Griffiths has scored.

And thus in short, for me Gordon clearly isn't good enough for what we need - better than SPFL level.

 

Yessss

 

@Minty
Agree that there is a combination to a lot of goals conceded that the backline could have done a lot better in the initial buidl up, so yeah a better CB alongside Ajer and we would see some of the errors in conceding reduced.

I will keep admitting I am harsh on Gordon, but equally I will praise him when he does something good (unfortunately for you guys, that's more IRL than on here), as a business piece for the club, 100% he has been a success, but after the first 2 seasons we really should have been looking to step up from him, as a club we seemed to have rested on him when we need better. And better at CB as well, fully agree there.

 

I think in most of them you try and blame Gordon when often they are not his fault. Some are and in some you could possibly say he could have done better, but you could say that about most goals that are in scored in any league. In Europe the defence invited pressure and a keeper can only take so much. Take in account to shots saved and I personally believe while he is not perfect he is still better than a lot of Premiership keepers. The defence is weak, and a keeper is only as good as his defence.
I'm curious, did Craig * in your cornflakes or something?
5-0 against PSG, a couple he could have done better but 1 was an OG and 1 a pen. The others the defence just gave loads of space.

 

I want better than Gotdon but lets not pretend he’s absolutely terrible.

If we want to go up a level we need much better than him though.

CL final highlighted just how much you need a good keeper at the highest level.

 

Really? To me it just says you can get to the Champions League with a mannequin made from silly putty in goal as long as you have the right players around it.