Sunderland's Craig Gordon Will Earn His £9 Million This Season

Eyebrows were notably raised at the start of the season when Sunderland splashed out £9 million on Scotland’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Craig Gordon.

After Saturday's performance against Wigan, however, the fee seems utterly justified. 

It simply doesn't matter how much Roy Keane paid for his keeper—if Gordon keeps them in the Premiership, he’s earned every single penny!

It's true that it's been a bumpy road.  After a strong start in the EPL this year, both Sunderland’s and Gordon's stars began to wane.  The pressure of getting Scotland to Euro 2008—with huge games against the likes of Italy, France, and Ukraine—took its toll.

While he failed to perform at Sunderland, Gordon maintained excellent form at Scotland, mastering his defense for a clean sheet in Paris as Scotland shocked France 1-0.  He also contributed significantly to earn wins over Ukraine and Lithuania.

Gordon has been championed by many—including Gianluigi Buffon who hinted at the possibility of Gordon—to potentially be the best in the world.

But after Scotland’s heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Italy and the 7-1 demolition of Sunderland at the hands of Everton, Keane dropped Gordon.

Gordon managed to respond spectacularly to this move.  Keane said, "If you want to be a top player you have to deal with disappointments, and Craig will be a top player."

Since his return to the side, Sunderland has again started to pick up points.  Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wigan was all about Gordon who, simply put, earned his team three points.

It's points like these that will keep Sunderland in the EPL and if that's the case, Roy Keane has been vindicated!

Wigan manager Steve Bruce said of the game, "We won (Stadium of Light) 3-0 here in the FA Cup a few weeks ago, but played twice as well today and ended up losing.  Their keeper (Gordon) was brilliant and one save in the second half was world class."

It's only been his first year on the world stage that is the EPL, so maybe Buffon had a point. 

After all, it takes one to know one.