The Celtic manager should seriously consider drafting in competition for error-prone Craig Gordon.
Celtic picked up where they left off last season by smashing Hearts 4-1 at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
It was a rather predictable way in which to kick off the defence of their Premiership title, but worryingly for Brendan Rodgers there is something else growing increasingly predictable about the Hoops these days and that is Craig Gordon making an error.
The spotlight won’t burn too brightly on the Scot, given what happened at the other end, but Gordon being beaten at his near post for Esmael Goncalves’s late consolation is merely the latest in a series of warning signs that the 34-year-old has offered in recent months.
In June, the Scotland international was culpable for both of his country’s goals during that 2-2 draw with England at Hampden Park. A few weeks later, his error led to a Rapid Vienna opening the scoring in a friendly.
Yes, it was only a friendly, but the clash at Hampden was anything but and the fact is that Gordon, with his latest gaffe, is increasingly looking like a liability and Rodgers should seriously consider bringing in better competition before it’s too late.
It would be a huge compliment to argue that Dorus De Vries is good enough to challenge Gordon, who desperately needs an increase in competition. He is too comfortable, knowing he can make mistakes like this without being punished because his understudy is useless.
The Celtic boss has previously revealed that he intends on making one more signing this summer and, based on events of recent months, it has to be a goalkeeper.
That isn’t to say Gordon – solid against Rosenborg in the first leg – should be replaced, but he certainly needs somebody nipping at his heels, making him better, and De Vries isn’t that man.
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