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Kevin Kyle has told Open Goal that Craig Gordon’s performance for Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final will have Celtic regretting the decision to let his contract run down – suggesting the veteran is better than Vasilis Barkas.
Gordon left Celtic after six years with the Scottish champions – where he clocked up 242 appearances in all competitions. He helped the Hoops in more than half of Celtic’s 10-in-a-row pursuit, and is considered an icon of the modern Celtic era.
However, a new deal for the 37-year-old did not materialise. He has since joined Scottish Championship side Hearts who have reached the Scottish Cup final, after a win over Hibernian in an Edinburgh derby semi-final on Saturday.
Gordon was excellent during the 2-1 win after extra time. He has now clocked up three cleans sheets in five appearances for Hearts since returning, while Scott Bain has replaced £4.5million summer signing Barkas. Kyle says Gordon is better.
“Hibs had a couple of decent opportunities,” Kyle said on the semi-final. “[Kevin] Nisbet will be disappointed not to score the header. But, the other side, unbelievable save from Craig Gordon.
“I mean, Celtic fans must be looking at that side thinking, we’ve got Barkas in goal. He [Gordon] would’ve caught the first header in the Old Firm the other week.”
TBR’s view – Should Celtic have kept Gordon for another season?
Gordon showed in the Scottish Cup semi-final that age is just a number. His save to deny Nisbet was excellent, and proved crucial in helping Hearts qualify – meanwhile, Celtic have spent big but have already dropped Barkas for Bain.
Bain has since saved a penalty against Lille and starred in the Europa League clash – and kept a clean sheet against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final win on Sunday, in which the Hoops won 2-0. But Bain is hardly the long-term answer.
Barkas needs time, but Gordon is probably the better goalkeeper at this time.
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