Ziggy Gordon had a lot of adjusting to do when he embarked on a new career in Poland four months ago. He didn’t speak the language, he conceded a penalty on his debut as a substitute for Jagiellonia Bialystok and the temperatures were like nothing he had experienced before.
It was so cold that he hadn’t the heart to invite friends and family over from Scotland. “I was told that Poland could be cold in winter, but Bialystock is actually the coldest place in Poland. I’ve never encountered anything like it. I’ve lived in Glasgow all my life, but wet cold is not the same as freezing cold. I’ll take wet cold every day of the week. I mean, it was so bitter here that I could not even warm up. I could hardly touch the ball at half-time.”
Mercifully, the days thawed, the former Partick Thistle and Hamilton Academical defender became a regular starter and his form with the Ekstraklasa leaders improved to such an extent that he was given three man-of the-match awards. “They’re quite special when you’re a right back,” he says. “I’m not used to them.”
Nor is he used to challenging for a league title. Jagiellonia could win the first in their history, as well as a place in the Champions League qualifiers, if they beat Lech Poznan in tomorrow’s final round of fixtures. They also need Legia Warsaw, now the leaders, to drop points against Lechia Gdansk, but provided Gordon’s team avoid defeat, they are guaranteed at least a shot at the Europa League.
Some 22,000 fans will pack out their stadium for what could be a special day in Bialystok, a city of 300,000 people in the north-east of Poland. “In terms of stature and finance, it would be a massive coup, but I wouldn’t say it [winning the title] should be far beyond our capabilities. It’s a one-club city. Everyone here, from grandmothers to young children, is a supporter. Out in the street, fans wish you luck. They are so passionate. Before games, the atmosphere is just electric. There is a lot of expectation.”
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That Gordon has become part of their feelgood story is quite a turn of events. The 24-year-old spent the first half of this season playing for Partick. He learned his trade with Hamilton, helping them to secure promotion from the Championship and eventually becoming their captain.
There was plenty of respect in Scotland for Gordon’s wholehearted approach, but much of the interest in his potential came from abroad. PAOK, the Greek club, were among those who tried to buy him. Jagiellonia first made an approach two years ago.
“It shows you, people are watching, especially nowadays with things like Wyscout. Coaches and general managers don’t necessarily need to come over to watch you when they can see footage in two seconds on the internet. If I had anything to tell other players, it would be that you never know who’s watching. I obviously didn’t.”
The bonus for Gordon was that his biggest admirers were to be found in Poland. His grandparents were born there. His mother speaks fluent Polish. Ziggy — short for Zygmunt — was born in Glasgow, but there were three or four trips to the homeland when he was a youngster.
Since his transfer from Thistle, he has been to visit cousins in Warsaw. Travelling to grounds all over Poland has shown him that it is more beautiful and modern than its stereotype suggests. Jagiellonia, aware of his roots, have given him a crash course on the country’s history. “They’ve told me about the wars, communism … all the stuff I really should have known. I’m glad that I do now.”
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With five Highers, as well as a degree in business and tourism, Gordon is a willing student. His girlfriend and family are back in Scotland, which leaves him plenty time to himself, much of which is spent reading. Narconomics, about the influence of big business on drug cartels, is currently on his bedside. And he is a fan of Tim Ferris, the self-help author and entrepreneur.
Of course, Gordon’s business is on the pitch, where he has grown in stature these last four months. He is a different player, with a better understanding of the game, thanks partly to more sophisticated coaching, but also to the standards required in the Ekstraklasa.
“Overall, it is better technically than the Scottish Premiership. The players make better decisions. Their game is more advanced. It is reflected in the Polish national team, which is ranked top ten in the world. A lot of them play in Poland.”
Gordon competes with Lukasz Burliga for the right-back slot at Jagiellonia. He lost his starting place after a recent 4-0 defeat by Lechia Gdansk, but any insecurities he might have had about his future were assuaged by the offer of a three-year contract, which he signed.
Scotland, who do not have a single right back in their squad for the forthcoming match against England, could do worse than monitor the progress of Gordon, who is also eligible for Poland. “I’ve always dreamed of playing for Scotland. I’ve always thought I was going to. I’ve always thought, if I work hard, have luck and play well, who knows? But I’m not interested in that right now. I’m only really interested in this game.”
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So, too, are his team-mates, including Arvydas Novikovas, the former Hearts winger, and Cillian Sheridan, the Irishman who played for Celtic and Kilmarnock. Like Gordon, they have matured and developed into better footballers by learning from new cultures and experiences.
“Leaving Scotland was like coming out of a bubble,” says Gordon. “Over here, you have players of so many different nationalities. It would be naive not to try and learn and listen to other players and coaches and become a better player and a better person.
“I honestly feel I have done that.”