James McFadden questions Celtic’s decision to sign another goalkeeper and backs Craig Gordon to win battle with summer signing

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The Scottish Premiership side have signed Dorus de Vries to challenge Gordon.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

James McFadden has questioned whether it was necessary for Celtic to sign another goalkeeper during this window, and told the Evening Times that he expects Craig Gordon to see off the challenge of summer signing Dorus de Vries.

After an unconvincing spell for the man who has spent the last couple of years as the Hoops’ undisputed number one, Brendan Rodgers brought in reinforcements by signing the Dutchman, with whom he previously worked with at Swansea City.

Dorus de Vries was brought in from Nottingham Forest

And after Gordon endured a difficult night in Israel as the Bhoys scraped through their Champions League play-off round tie with Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Rodgers provided an indication of who his preferred first-choice was by dropping the 33-year-old for de Vries for the clash with Aberdeen at the weekend, which is also the club’s last game before they face Rangers.

But Motherwell’s assistant manager McFadden has admitted that he is not sure why Rodgers decided to bring the new stopper in and has backed his former international teammate to win the battle and cement himself as the side’s number one once again.

Craig Gordon

“I don’t think it [signing another goalkeeper] was needed but I’m not going to tell Brendan Rodgers how to do his job. He’s started well and I’m just talking about Craig Gordon the way I know him and I think he’s a top goalkeeper,” he told the Evening Times.

“For me he’ll fight for his place and hopefully he’ll win it.”

With the 35-year-old doing little wrong in the clash with the Dons, it is difficult to imagine why Rodgers would decide to change his goalkeeper once again – unless the 35-year-old’s selection was designed to allow Gordon a rest after a difficult spell – after the international break.

But with their two fixtures seeing them play their Old Firm rivals and then Barcelona, whoever the man between the sticks is for those games will know that their performances against those sides could be a deciding factor in who Rodgers shows faith in for the foreseeable future.