After arriving on the Central Coast last week, Scottish defender Ziggy Gordon is making his intentions clear early. He’s not here for a Holiday.
As a Celtic fan, it’s easy to understand why captaining his side at just 21-years-of-age, to a 1-0 win against ‘The Hoops’ at Celtic Park rates as a career highlight.
Now, with a wealth of experience from his time with Hamilton Academical F.C. in Scotland as well as a stint in Poland, Ziggy is determined to make a difference at the Mariners.
Ziggy hit the ground running on his first day. He’s here to make an impact. ?? @ziggyG16’s first FULL interview as a Mariner ? https://t.co/VKGCp943A1 #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/81QWAMIdBW
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 5, 2019
Ziggy’s warm welcome…
“I feel really humbled by all the messages and how welcoming everyone is,” Gordon said. “I am from a very welcoming place myself in Scotland, but I feel like it’s mutual here.
“The welcome I’ve had from the fans to the staff here to the players, it’s been second to none. It’s something I hope to give back and show my appreciation on and off the pitch.
Ziggy’s footballing history…
“I started my career with Hamilton Accies when I was ten years old. I managed to keep working hard and every year I progressed through the youth system and at seventeen years old I managed to get my debut. I took my chance and then I spent about five years, gaining promotion to the top flight. I’ve had some memorable games defeating and captaining my club against Celtic at Celtic Park. They had the big names like Virgil Van Dijk so it was a great honour.
“After about 160 games I thought it was time to head overseas and I went to Poland, had a great experience there. It was a top league with top players. then came back to Hamilton Accies, spent another 40 odd games there. We managed to stay in the league, which was our aim and I felt that was the prime opportunity to look elsewhere.
Gettin’ @ziggyG16 with it! ? #CCMFC pic.twitter.com/7xM2b16ucG
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 3, 2019
Highlights in Scottish football…
“When I was growing up, I was a Celtic Fan, I used to go to their games and the first time I played at Celtic Park, I was nervous. I was fortunate enough to be captain at the time, at just 21-years-of-age and we beat them 1-0. We were just riding the wave with a great manager and great players that had good a good bond in the team and that is the key when you go to places like Celtic Park. You need to be together and have enough luck.
“A lot of credit needs to go to the manager that believed in me at that time. The fact I’d been there for so many years I knew the club inside and out and I think I’ve got the right attitude towards being a leader. Every player should be a leader, captain is just a word.
Where does Ziggy fit in the Yellow and Navy line up…
“I’ve spoken to the gaffer in great depth and I’ve asked him what his expectations of me and the team are. The expectations are for everyone to bond and to give 100%, once that is achieved then we can look at the bigger picture. I’m here to do my best, to help the gaffer, to help the fans, to help the players and to help myself to have as a successful season as we possibly can. In terms of myself, wherever the gaffer needs me I’ll be there.
.@ziggyG16 ? “First things first, we need to pull together and give the fans something to cheer about.
I want to help the team, the club, the manager and give 100%. I’m here to make an impact.” #CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/DBXQaAdfXL
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 5, 2019
Alen’s wise words…
“The first thing that struck me about Alen was how honest he was. I asked him from the very beginning what is his philosophy, what does he want in the next three years and he was very honest with me. He told me it was a project here and asked if I wanted to be a part of it. It was always in the back of my head when I was speaking to other clubs, that conversation, I couldn’t get it out of my head and eventually I felt this was the right place to develop. Where I could make the biggest impact. That’s what I want to do, make an impact.
Knowledge of the Hyundai A-League…
“I know it’s competitive and there are fine margins between all the teams. The Mariners are a club that has not done well in the last couple of years but that can be very quickly changed in a matter of a few players, a few different philosophies and obviously the new coach. I don’t want to get into setting goals this season but first things first is everyone pulling together and giving the fans something to cheer about.
What the fans can expect…
“I like to think of myself as an intelligent player.
“You need to have traits in game management, and I think that’s something that I bring to the team. I have played a lot of games and I’ve played at a level with better players than myself and I’m honest enough to say that and I think the best part of my game is that I’m always learning. Always taking the best and the worst of every game and every player I come up against. As I said I can’t wait to help the team with everything I can.
“I wouldn’t make any move without looking at the net step in my career. For me, my personal goal is to play as many games as I can, help the team, the club, the manager the best way I can and give 100% whether it be training on and off the pitch. I always have aspirations to play at the top level, but I came here because I believe this is a very high level and I’m here to challenge myself,” Gordon said.
