Exclusive: Craig Gordon tipped for new role at Celtic by pundit

Alan Hutton has suggested that Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon could step up as part of the coaching staff at Parkhead as he weighs up his future as a player.

The former Aston Villa and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that the 36-year-old has shown incredible character and perseverance to continue playing after a serious knee injury and that his experiences could see him step into a senior role.

As revealed exclusively by Football Insider, the shot-stopper could hang up his boots at the end of the season as he heads into the final months of his contract at Parkhead.

Hutton says that he feels as though the keeper as a future as a coach or manager once he does stop playing and suggests that he could stay at Celtic Park as a senior figure.

Hutton told Football Insider: "He has had a really good career and we thought a few years ago whether it was going to be over with a bad knee injury.

"To be fair to him he's done unbelievable to get back and to be playing at a high level, let's not kid ourselves, it's not like he was playing at a low level, he's playing at a high level. Overall he's had a great career, and maybe he just feels now is a good time. 

"He's the type of guy that I think would want to get into the coaching side of it so I'm sure it won't be the last we see or hear of him. (Could he stay at Celtic?) Maybe, you see quite a lot of that now. He's influential, he's been around the block, international and he knows how things work.

"He would be a good add to the team, he went down the managerial route when he was struggling with his knee injury so he's had some experience. I don't see why not."

Gordon has 241 appearances under his belt for the Hoops, as well as 54 caps for Scotland.

However, he has only played five times across all competitions this season, finding himself behind Fraser Forster and Scott Bain in the pecking order.