A Gordon for me. Keeper Craig gets my vote as Celtic's player of the year

And it's a measure of how impressive certain individuals have been that Virgil van Dijk has not even made it into my top three.

I know many people are likely to disagree because the big Dutchman has had an excel- lent season. But in my book, Craig Gordon, Stefan Johansen and Scott Brown deserve the honour ahead of Virgil.

Craig's story has elements of a fairytale about it, and not just because everything looked so grim for him this time last year.

He had been out of the game since 2012, the result of a serious knee injury he picked up at Sunderland.

I know from my own experience how tough it is to try and make comebacks when the medical advice is to forget it.

In my case, I had to accept that, due to my knee and my eye problems, my career was over at 31.

Craig has refused to cash in the insurance and move into coaching, or something like that. To have been out of the game for as long as he had been, and to return to first-team football at all is a remarkable achievement and testament to his strength of character and unwavering resolve.

But to come back and perform at the level he has - I actually believe he has surpassed where he was before - is beyond amazing.

In his first press conference after he signed for Celtic last summer, Craig made it clear he not only wanted to vie for the No.1 for spot at Celtic - and remember, Fraser Forster was still there at the time - but reclaim his Scotland position.

So to return after four years to collect his 41st cap against England in November, then to start against Northern Ireland in midweek, must have been very sweet moments for him. Craig has had some terrific games for Celtic, none more so than in Europe. But it has been his consistency which has made him stand out for me.

That's why, when he made that mistake against Inter Milan, the crowd got right behind him. And, again, it showed the strength of his character that he did not allow it to affect him, and he got right back to his best.

Craig exudes calm confidence, which is a huge help to the young central defenders in front of him, Jason Denayer and Virgil. All of which is why he would not only get my vote as Player of the Year at Celtic, but in Scottish football.

Stefan might feel unlucky if Craig sweeps the boards because he has had a magnificent season.

There is no doubt he has lifted it to another level compared to his initial six months at the club. That could be for a combination of reasons. Stefan has had time to settle and had a pre-season.

Ronny Deila has arrived and already knew how to get the best out of him from their time together at Stromsgodset.

And the change of position to centre of the midfield three behind the striker has also allowed him to blossom.

Initially, I preferred Kris Commons in that role. But when Stefan is in there, it adds a new dimension to how Celtic play. And the fact Kris is now playing well in a wider position is a real bonus for the team.

Add the goals Stefan is scoring to the energy he brings to the side, and he can be very proud of his season.

Scott has also excelled this campaign, and is probably playing the best football of his career. He's certainly producing it more consistently than ever before, and has more influence on the team and how they play than anyone else in the side.

The captain is setting the standard, and this was never better illustrated than in the League Cup semi-final against Rangers where he quickly put down an emphatic marker.

I still believe one of the main reasons Celtic struggled at the start of the season, especially in the Champions League qualifiers and play-offs, was because he was out injured.

They really missed his leadership qualities when they were needed most. Sure, Scott got himself into the papers recently for enjoying a night out.

But I believe he has matured a lot, and this is shining through in the way he maintains such a high standard in every game, and, I understand, in every training session.

That's what makes him a real leader and the man the other players look to and up to.

Kenny Dalglish suffered from playing so well all the time that people tended to take it for granted and overlooked him when it came to handing out the awards.

Scott might argue he falls into the same trap. But at the risk of upsetting him, I'll stick with Craig as my Player of the Year.

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