CRAIG GORDON has revealed he’s been swotting up on how to become the goalkeeper Brendan Rodgers wants for Celtic as he prepares for a start against Manchester City in the Champions League.

Dorus de Vries is almost certain to miss out of Wednesday night’s glamour game with a chest injury, which means an early recall for the man he recently replaced.

Gordon came on at half-time in the 6-1 win over Kilmarnock, after losing his place to the Dutchman for a number of games, and is set to start against Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten side at Celtic Park.

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And the Scotland international has admitted he’s put in extra hours in a bid to convince Rodgers he has all the qualities the Irishman is looking for in his first choice No1.

Gordon said: “I spoke to the manager when he said he was going to put Dorus in the team, but I haven’t spoken to him since then. I’ve gone away, worked hard and also did my homework on what he likes his goalkeepers to do.

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“I want to improve my own game so when I do get back I can adapt more to what he is looking for.

“I am still learning. I want to do as well as I can and if I can do the things he is looking for his goalkeeper to do, I’ll do that and keep my standards up so I can get a run in the team.”

Gordon, 33, has yet to play a group match in the Champions League, which is why he is determined to show Rodgers he is good enough with his hands and feet to play on European football’s biggest stage.

Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: “This is a huge game. We didn’t do so well last time and we want to put that right. We want to put on a performance, especially at home, and give it a real go. With the fans behind us we can give ourselves a chance against anyone.

“It will be an exciting night and we will go out to try to win the game and get our Champions League campaign off to a start.

“It is nice to be back at home. This will actually be my first Champions League game at Celtic Park and I am desperate to get a start.

“But whatever happens it will be a great occasion and I’m glad to be part of it. At the same time we want to do our jobs and get something from the game.

“The supporters give us fantastic backing, there is no place like for noise when it is full. It’s a great atmosphere, we love playing in front of them and we want to give a good account of ourselves.”

If Gordon does start then chances are he will play behind a three-man central defence of Kolo Toure, rested at the weekend. Erik Sviatchenko and Jozo Simunovic who has reclaimed a place in the Celtic side just weeks after a move to Italian club Torino fell through at the last moment.

The keeper is a fan of the Croatian, he's featured in the side’s last three games, who did cost the club a transfer fee of a reported £5.5million just over a year ago.

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Gordon said: “I really like Jozo. He’s a great defender, strong, aggressive and good on the ball. He likes to come out and pass it. He’s played three games in a row and will be feeling the effects of that, but I’m sure he will go from strength to strength.

“Everyone in the squad knows how good he is. We saw glimpses of it before he got injured. He did not play as many games as he would liked, but we knew when we got him back fit the he would be a great addition.

"He’s like a new signing and it’s great to have him involved for the Champions League.”