Gordon Smith: Transfer window shows that our game might not be as bad as we often think it is

I NEVER expected this transfer window to give the Scottish game a shot in the arm, but that’s the way it has turned out.

To be fair, it is the unexpected nature of the wheelings and dealings which has made it so fascinating.

Who could have expected Chelsea, the English Premier League leaders, would come in with a £3-million bid for Celtic keeper, Craig Gordon?

That Rangers would have to issue a ‘Hands Off’ warning to Hull City after learning of their interest in Josh Windass through the media?

Or, indeed, that Kilmarnock would get £1-million for the sale of Souleymane Coulibaly to Egyptian outfit, Al Ahly?

Throw in the news that Barcelona are keeping tabs on a Falkirk teenager – the talented left- back, Tony Gallacher – and it all adds up to a pleasing conclusion.

We might be better thought of outside these shores than we had previously thought.

The proposed Gordon deal is ongoing. Chelsea, seemingly unprepared to take no for an answer, are considering just how much it would take to land a player they are said to have admired for a couple of years now.

While Brendan Rodgers’ first response was that his player was not for sale, I am not convinced it will prove the case.

There is, I would argue, the possibility for everyone to be a winner here.

Celtic can pick up a nice fee for a player who, at 34, is in the later stages of his career. £5-million would probably do it.

Craig Gordon, meanwhile, can pick up both a nice hike in his wages and an unexpected opportunity to taste life at a club who are liable to start next season among the favourites to win the Champions League itself.

On paper, he would be a back-up keeper. But with regular stories of interest from Real Madrid and beyond in Thibaut Courtois, you never know.

Finally, it would be a great opportunity for Dorus de Vries – a Rodgers signing don’t forget – to regain his starting place at Celtic in what will be a low-pressure finish to the season.

As surprised as I was by that, I was near-amazed to hear Josh Windass talked of as a possible replacement for £10-million midfielder, Robert Snodgrass, at Hull City.

Windass is a good prospect, yes. But the lad is nowhere near ready for the EPL. In truth, he is still finding his feet in the SPFL.

That couldn’t be said of Coulibaly, who deserves his move after making a real impact in our top flight.

Kilmarnock deserve credit as well as their profit for spotting his potential.

It is ironic, meanwhile, to find the player getting most hype in terms of the size of the clubs following his progress is a young Scottish left-back.

With Kieran Tierney, David Robertson and Stephen Kingsley – the respective first picks for Celtic, Hull City and Swansea – all already in contention to be Scotland’s first-choice in the position, we really are spoiled for choice.

Ryan Christie isn’t one who is really thought of in terms of representing the national team right now, but that could change if he makes the most of his loan move to Aberdeen.

Celtic fans will relish the fact he has been loaned to a side vying with rivals Rangers for runner- up spot, as well as his social media history of being critical of the Dons.

Personally, I don’t think either is really an issue.

The majority of Ibrox regulars who were dubious of Mo Johnston’s arrival at Ibrox forgot their objections when he started scoring and it will be the same story with Christie at Pittodrie.

Rangers have new arrivals of their own, and they will either be good enough, or they won’t.