Scotland crisis developing ahead of the World Cup
Worrying goalkeeping issues for games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil
The best part of three decades have passed since Scotland last graced the World Cup finals. The long wait ends on 13 June when the national team kick off against Haiti in Foxborough, Massachusetts. However, chances of the campaign being undermined before it starts are growing due to increasing goalkeeping problems.
Craig Gordon played a huge part in helping his country qualify for their first World Cup since 1998 late last year. However, his shoulder injury is concerning Hearts. Scotland will monitor the 43-year-old’s fitness ahead of next month’s friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast. Angus Gunn has been national coach Steve Clarke’s first choice when fit but remains out of favour at Nottingham Forest, where he has made just one appearance so far this season.
Another Hearts keeper, Zander Clark, is sidelined with a thigh injury on loan at Doncaster Rovers. He is expected back in the next couple of weeks and, with four caps, could be an option for the next month’s squad. Scott Bain is Falkirk’s No.1 but hasn’t played for Scotland since 2019 despite returning to the squad during World Cup qualifying. Liam Kelly is another sitting on the substitutes’ bench at club level with Rangers, and Ross Doohan is third-choice with Celtic.
Other goalkeepers called up by Scotland in the last year are Cieran Slicker, Callan McKenna and Robby McCrorie. Slicker’s debut against Iceland last year might be both the start and end of the Barnet man’s international career. Bournemouth’s McKenna is 19 and uncapped, while Kilmarnock’s McCrorie is on loan at Danish side Esbjerg. He is also uncapped at the age of 27.
Clarke will rightly play down the prospect of heading Stateside this summer with keepers who are not playing regularly at club level. Gunn was No.1 for the 2024 European Championship at a time when he was Norwich City’s No.1. Gordon didn’t make the squad for Germany but enjoyed a dramatic return to the international arena for Nations League ties later that year. He has managed three appearances for Hearts so far this term after Alexander Schwolow became first-choice at Tynecastle Park.
The situation will concern many Tartan Army footsoldiers eager for Scotland to make an impression in America this summer. The World Cup is the pinnacle of international football. Entering it without a fit and sharp goalkeeper who is playing at a good level can seriously damage a nation’s prospects of progressing. The Haiti game is followed by ties against Morocco and Brazil in a highly competitive group for the right to reach the competition’s knockout stage. A reliable No.1 is essential.
Goalkeepers called up next month may be different from those seated on the plane come June, depending on who is fit and when. Gunn is certain to be there despite his inactivity at Forest. Gordon’s involvement may not be possible due to his latest injury. The next man in line right now would most likely be Bain. Clarke must then weigh up who looks ready come the next two friendlies in June as he prepares to name his final 26-man World Cup squad.