Craig Gordon can win battle of Celtic goalies to land Champions League dream, says James McFadden

The Scotland internationalist lost his place in the Hoops starting XI for Saturday's 4-1 win over Aberdeen with Brendan Rodgers throwing in new signing Dorus de Vries.

Following the international break the Ladbrokes Premiership champions go straight into an Old Firm battle with Rangers before heading to Spain for their opener with Barcelona three days later.

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Former national talisman James McFadden knows only too well the qualities of his former country team-mate, and he has put his faith in Gordon reclaiming the No.1 spot back at Paradise.

“I would back him. Craig’s a top goalkeeper and obviously it’s a difficult situation for him now where the manager has brought in his own player," said the Motherwell assistant.

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“Craig will be up for the challenge and hopefully he comes through and wins his battle for the No.1 jersey.

“It’s a wee bit like Pep Guardiola at City, I think he [Rodgers] just had his mind made up he was going to bring someone in.

“I don’t think it 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.

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

“It’s a big thing [the Champions League], definitely. All the hard work then he didn’t play at the weekend. It would have been a sickener for him.

“He’s got to back himself. I’m sure he will and hopefully the best goalie at the time plays, and hopefully it’s Craig.”

Rodgers was full of praise for 35-year-old De Vries in the wake of Saturday's victory.

The Celtic boss was particularly impressed with the Dutchman's kicking and the way he helped 'orchestrate' the game, something he believes is a massive part of his team's philosophy.

It is a notion that McFadden doesn't wholly agree with, but reckons that glove rival Gordon is more than able to carry out the role if required.

He said: “For me goalies are goalkeepers. I don’t them to do a million keepy-uppies, I want them to save shots. I want them to catch the ball as well, I hate seeing them punch the ball.

“I want my goalkeeper to save shots and keep you in the game. If he’s good with his feet then excellent but that’s not the main criteria for me. A goalie needs to be a goalkeeper.

“Craig saves shots he shouldn’t. For me he’s great with the ball at his feet. It’s something he’s improved on over the years so I don’t think De Vries has come in because he’s better with his feet. Craig’s very good.

“For me he’s still a top goalkeeper."

Gordon is currently away on Scotland duty ahead of this Sunday's World Cup qualifying opener in Malta, and McFadden used that to emphasise the ability and stature of the 33-year-old.

"I see that with all the goalies we’ve got I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with who plays," he said. "The goalkeeping side is quite strong for us, so I don’t think you will say ‘I’m not sure about that’

“I think he’ll still challenge.

“In terms of goalies I’ve played with he is right up there. In the games we had he made some magnificent saves and he’s done unbelievably well to come back from the injuries he’s had to rediscover the form he had when he was younger."