CRAIG GORDON knows he is in good company at long last.

It is something the Celtic goalkeeper is determined to make the most of after months in isolation.

Once one of the most expensive and fancied goalkeepers in the world, the Scotland international was literally brought to his knees two years ago as a tendon in his left knee threatened to prematurely end his prosperous career.

For months last season, the man who cost Sunderland £9million in 2007 was reduced to courting offers from Irish part-time clubs as a potential route back into the game that has been his life ever since he first pulled on a pair of gloves at Edinburgh side Currie.

At the time that offer of work was the potential reward for months of gruelling treatment and training at Murray Park where Gordon spent months in solitude.

The keeper was forced day after day to train in a gym while longing to join Ally McCoist's team outside and train in the Scottish drizzle.

It was a reality that Gordon admits was difficult to comprehend.

"I didn't go in trying to impress them," explained the 31-year-old. "I was probably quite selfish on my own part and just went in to try and help myself get back fit.

"It's difficult to be in a football club when you can't train or take part in games. It can be quite a lonely place at times.

"If I could have got that level of expertise and facilities then I'd probably have stayed away and kept myself to myself until I felt ready to get back in.

"I was out the game for two years and then a year at Rangers, the first six months of which was in the gym. Everyone was outside training and working away. There might have been one or two other injured lads, but it's not an easy thing to go through and mentally get yourself up for training when it's only for yourself.

"There wasn't any money to be earned. It was just a question of whether I could get back to doing what I want to do. It feels good to be back at that level and, when you make a contribution to the team, it feels good."

The answer to that question is looking like a resounding yes. Since joining up with Celtic back in July, Gordon has gone on to look every bit the imposing figure his predecessor Fraser Forster did - and then some.

In 15 games so far he has kept six clean sheets, including two in European competitions. A far cry, with all due respect, to the part-time outfits offering the 40-times capped star a way back into the game.

While the high level Gordon is operating at is undoubtedly a key factor in the shot stopper's joy at the moment, he insists simply being part of a team again is the main source of his contentment. He said: "It's not just in training but when you go out and play games it gives you a sense of worth among your team-mates and they respect what you do and vice-versa. It's that sense of belonging to a team that you don't get when you're injured.

"It's a great feeling to be contributing to a team that's winning matches. I didn't expect this to happen. I didn't even know where I'd fit back into football. I had teams on the phone from the Irish League and part-time. I didn't know where I'd fit back in. I didn't know how fit I was going to be. I didn't know what level I'd be in terms of ability.

"That was something I had to prove to myself. If things hadn't gone so well, even if I was fit, I might even have had to go part-time somewhere to get back in."

GORDON added: "I didn't have any targets. I just wanted to get fit and back into football. I've been fortunate to end up at a great club and my fitness is close to what it was before and I've managed to pick up where I left off.

"It all just fell into place that way, it wasn't by design."

As Gordon settles into his new surrounding, he is encouraged by the team in front of him as they begin to finally find their stride.

While a win today at home to Inverness could potentially pull the SPFL Premiership champions joint top of the table, Ronny Deila's side also find themselves in the League Cup semi-finals and well placed to qualify from their Europa League group.

Central to that success in recent weeks has been Swedish striker John Guidetti, who has netted eight goals in as many games for the club.

But it is a contribution both on and off the park from the Swede Gordon admits he is impressed by.

"He is quite chirpy, but when he is playing he is very serious," said the Celtic goalkeeper. "When he is playing and trying to win games, he doesn't like getting beaten and that's a good thing as well.

"There have only been a couple of changes in the last few games.

"We changed the formations around and the manager's got a few good options now in terms of systems and players he is looking for.

"He is starting to see now what he has in his squad and how he can mix it up and get the best out of the players."