CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers revealed he would have no qualms about pitching Craig Gordon into Wednesday night’s Champions League match against Manchester City after Dorus de Vries picked up a knock during his side’s 6-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Kilmarnock yesterday.
Rodgers revealed de Vries had sustained a chest injury midway through the first half as he tried in vain to keep out Souleyman Coulibaliy’s 35-yard shot that gave the visitors the lead. He was replaced at half time by Gordon who had lost his place in the team to de Vries at the end of last month and been fortunate not to have been sent off upon his return to the side in midweek for the Betfred Cup game at home to Alloa. His manager, though, insisted he would not hesitate to start the Scotland international against City should de Vries fail to recover in time.
“I am 100 per cent comfortable with Craig,” said Rodgers. “He's more than capable. He's a brilliant shot stopper, he's improving his game with his feet all the time. It's a part of how I work, players have to work that way, there's no compromise, no choice, and he's more than capable to come in, of course.
“He strained his chest Dorus when he landed [at the goal]. He could have played on but we had Craig there fit and capable and I didn't want to take any risk with it. So we will see how Dorus is over the next couple of days.”
Rodgers largely absolved de Vries for any blame for the goal, despite the Dutchman being beaten from such a distance.
"It is a bit of both,” he added. “At the time I thought to get beat from that range, I would need to see it again. I watched it two or three times there and I give credit to the player. If you actually see the strike it would be harsh to say anything against the kid. It was an incredible touch, turn and the technique was great. When a goalkeeper gets beat from that range there's always a question mark but I give applause to the kid because it was a great goal.”
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