Craig Gordon
A goalkeeper whose career is a story of spectacular saves and even more remarkable comebacks from devastating injuries.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Scottish footballer·Birthday: December 31·Millennials
Biography
Craig Gordon's longevity between the posts is a narrative of pure defiance. Emerging as a prodigy at Hearts, he became Britain's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Sunderland in 2007, where his reflexes and command earned him Scotland's number one jersey. Then, injury struck. A severe knee problem followed by a double leg break in 2012 seemed to have ended his career at its peak. He spent nearly two years out of the game, contemplating retirement. His return, signing for Celtic in 2014, was nothing short of miraculous. He reclaimed his Scotland spot and won multiple domestic trebles, his performances as agile and assured as ever. After a second stint at Hearts, a second major leg break in 2022 threatened everything again. Yet, true to form, Gordon fought back to fitness, returning to first-team action in his forties and adding to his record as Scotland's oldest international player—a testament to a resilience that matches his shot-stopping talent.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Craig was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Craig Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Craig's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won five consecutive Scottish domestic trebles with Celtic between 2017 and 2020.
- Returned to professional football with Celtic in 2014 after a two-year absence due to a career-threatening knee injury.
- Became the most expensive British goalkeeper in history when he transferred from Hearts to Sunderland for £9 million in 2007.
- Holds the record as the oldest player to appear for the Scotland national team, earning a cap at age 40.
Did You Know?
He is a qualified financial advisor, having studied for the qualification during his long injury layoff.
He saved a penalty from Barcelona's Lionel Messi in a 2012 friendly while playing for Sunderland.
He made his professional debut for Hearts in a 2002 match that was delayed because the opposition team's bus broke down.
He broke his arm twice in the same place, several years apart.
“I was told I'd never play again, but I never accepted that.”
