Rodgers insists he has no interest in signing Rennes goalkeeper Benoit Costil because of Gordon’s excellent form but how much longer will he be at Celtic?
Brendan Rodgers may be right in lauding the development of Craig Gordon this season, so much so that he wasted no time shutting down links with Rennes shot-stopper Benoit Costil, but does the Celtic manager need to put a contingency plan in place?
L’Equipe claim that the Scottish champions had been monitoring Costil for a number of months as he impressed to such an extent in Ligue 1 that Didier Deschamps handed him an international debut in November’s clash with Ivory Coast. For what it is worth, he kept a clean sheet.
Yet Rodgers was in no mood to discuss the possibility of a summer move for the 6ft 2ins 29-year-old, offering a timely reminder of Gordon’s standout performances between the sticks this season.
“Tell me why I would be interested in him?” Rodgers told the Scottish Sun when asked about reported interest in Costil.
“Why would I want him when I have Craig Gordon, who’s the sweeper ‘keeper and who’s top class?”
After initially losing his place to Dorus De Vries at the start of the season, Gordon has won over the Northern Irishman after revolutionising his own playing style; the veteran ‘keeper is now a bona fide sweeper ‘keeper as comfortable with the ball at his feet as in his hands.
However, although Celtic plan on offering Gordon an extension on a deal that expires in 2018, the Evening Standard reported last month that he had his heart set on a move to Chelsea after Antonio Conte’s side had tabled a £3million offer.
At 34, Gordon is heading towards the twilight of his career and the chance to move to a club of Chelsea’s stature is unlikely to come around again. Therefore, it is far from certain that he will sign any new deal.
It is a possibility that Rodgers will end up in the market for a goalkeeper, whether he wants to be or not. And Costil – five years Gordon’s junior and a ‘keeper improving by the season – could be as good a replacement as any.
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