Craig Gordon, a stalwart of Scottish football, was born on the final day of 1982 and currently plies his trade as the number one goalkeeper for Hearts. Standing notably lofty at 6ft 3in (1.93m) and a solid 13st (83kg), his imposing presence between the sticks is formidable. Besides Hearts, he's also been a capable servant to the Scotland national team.
Gordon's transitional journey on the football terrain commenced at Hearts when he joined its ranks as a trainee in 1999. According to Transfermarkt, his current market value hovers around a modest £85,000, and his current contract runs until the end of May 2025. After various seasons at Hearts, he found some loan time at Cowdenbeath in the 2001-2002 season.
In 2007, Gordon upped stakes to Sunderland in the English Championship for a hefty sum of around £9m. However, his tenure at Sunderland witnessed an inconsistent match presence, although it did offer the opportunity for him to showcase his skills on England's competitive pitches. In May 2012, Gordon made his exit from Sunderland, leaving him without a club for a momentary lapse.
In July 2014, the call of home was too potent, and Gordon found himself back in Scotland, this time donning the jersey for Celtic. Gordon's spell at Celtic lasted six seasons, and it provided a platform for him to perform consistently, featuring regularly in league matches. Memories of safe hands and crucial saves indeed ring nostalgia for the Celtic faithful who had the pleasure of seeing Gordon guard their goal.
From Celtic, a transfer back to Hearts was Gordon's chosen path in 2020, where he continues to command his area and play an integral part in their defensive setup. Despite a few hiccups resulting in fewer appearances some seasons, Gordon’s name would still frequently be in the Hearts' lineup.
Throughout his career, Gordon has also participated in other competitions, such as the League Cup, Scottish Cup, Europa League Qualifiers, and the Conference League for Hearts, along with the Nations League for Scotland. Thus, Craig Gordon's career, beyond question, has been full of diverse experiences straddling different clubs, leagues, and even countries.