Craig Gordon Reveals Why He Never Joined Rangers Despite Career Revival
Veteran Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon has opened up about a defining chapter of his football journey, revealing how Rangers played a crucial role in rescuing his career—yet he ultimately chose not to sign with them, instead enjoying immense success at Celtic.
Gordon, now 41, reflected candidly on his journey, acknowledging that Rangers provided the platform for him to prove his fitness after a long battle with injury. Following a two-year spell out of the game due to a serious knee problem, Gordon was invited to train with Rangers in 2014, a gesture he admits was instrumental in his eventual return to top-flight football.
“They gave me the opportunity to train and show I was still capable. Without that, things could have been very different,” Gordon explained.
However, despite the offer of a lifeline, the move to Ibrox never materialized. Shortly after proving his fitness, Gordon signed for Celtic, where he went on to win five league titles, five Scottish Cups, and five League Cups. His time at Celtic Park marked one of the most successful periods of his career.
Many have speculated why Gordon never committed to Rangers, especially after the club extended such a vital opportunity. The goalkeeper has now set the record straight, revealing that the timing and the vision presented by Celtic ultimately swayed his decision.
“I had conversations with people at both clubs, but Celtic showed a clear plan for me,” Gordon said. “It wasn’t about loyalty to one side or the other—it was a football decision. I was at a stage in my career where I needed a club that had immediate ambitions and a role for me to play right away.”
He emphasized that, despite being grateful to Rangers, the offer from Celtic aligned better with his personal and professional goals at the time. Gordon’s choice proved fruitful, as he went on to re-establish himself as Scotland’s No.1 and win a string of domestic honours under managers like Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers.
Now back at Hearts and still active in the game, Gordon holds no regrets over his decision. “I’ll always be thankful to Rangers for helping me when they did, but my path was meant to be at Celtic.”
In revealing the full context of his career choices, Gordon has put to rest long-standing rumors and reaffirmed that, in football, timing and opportunity often outweigh sentiment.