BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
ZIGGY GORDON insists glowing references from Barry Douglas and Tom Hateley left him in no doubt that he should embark on a Polish adventure.
Gordon, 23, joined Ekstraklasa leaders Jagiellonia Bialystok from Partick Thistle last week and made his debut during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Russian outfit Rostov as part of their Winter training camp.
The Scottish stopper is aiming to follow in the footsteps of former Dundee United and Queen’s Park defender Douglas, who won the 2014/15 league title in Poland during a successful stint at Lech Poznan.
Hateley, now on the books of Dundee, was also highly-regarded during two years with Slask Wroclaw.
And after a protracted move was finally completed, Gordon is desperate to see what all the fuss is about.
He revealed: “I spoke to Tom Hateley, who played in this league, and Barry Douglas as well. They both spoke so highly of the Polish league and said to me ‘if you get that opportunity, you need to take it’.
“I took what they said on board – so hopefully they won’t be wrong!
“Before arriving, I asked about the training, the manager, the players and the fans. Coming to a different country, it was important I knew as much as I could – and I have only heard good things.
“I’m glad the transfer finally went through. As a player, you can only ever affect what you do on the pitch. Off the pitch, I don’t have any say, but I knew where I wanted to go.
“Now I am here, my aims are simple – to train hard and play well in every game.”
Gordon’s first taste of the Polish league is set to be a raucous one, with the maiden fixture after the winter break pitting Jagiellonia against the team currently in second spot, Lechia Gdansk.
Only goal difference separates the sides, and Gordon reckons the atmosphere could top anything he experienced visiting Celtic or Rangers.
He told Jagiellonia’s official website: “I’m very fortunate to have had the chance to play in front of so many fans – great supporters at Celtic and Rangers – and you have 60,000 people there.
“But we have nothing like the Jagiellonia fans in Scotland. I went on YouTube and saw everyone singing in collaboration and the amazing atmosphere it created, and I just can’t wait to experience that.”
