John Carver has backed both Zander Clark and Liam Kelly for further Scotland action after Steve Clarke’s “masterstroke” against France during the last international break.
The goalkeepers made their debuts for their country during a friendly in Lille in October, with both playing a half each against Kylian Mbappe and co.
First-choice stopper Angus Gunn is out injured and was not named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the final two European qualifying matches against Georgia and Norway, which are set to take place this week.
So with that in mind, either Kelly or Clark will be given the nod to add to their international caps, with Rangers goalie Robbie McCrorie also entering the fray.
Assistant Carver is unsure who will start against Georgia on Thursday, but he is confident both goalkeepers will show just how much talent they have.
He explained: “Goalkeeping is a unique position and obviously we’ve got Chris Woods who looks after them.
“He was at Motherwell-Hearts at the weekend while we were at the cup semi-finals the previous weekend, so we saw Zander playing.
“It was a little bit of a masterstroke from Steve giving both Liam and Zander caps in France, if I’m being honest.
“They’ve got that experience - and they deserved it because they’ve been around the group a long, long time. They’ll be ready for it, whichever one is selected.
“I’m sure Steve will have an in-depth discussion with Woodsy. But whichever one is selected, at least he’s had that experience playing in France in Lille against an unbelievable opposition.
“In hindsight now, it was a masterstroke giving both of them a chance.”
Both goalkeepers will be looking to impress with slots for the Euros in Germany at a premium. Gunn will likely be the first choice, but with a certain Craig Gordon on the comeback trail from injury, there will be a fight for places.
On Gordon’s return, Carver said: “When he got the injury - of all the people because he’s such a great professional - it was a bad one.
“But he was so positive when you sat with him and you discussed what his future was going to be. And he’s still got it, for sure, in his head that he can still play for Scotland.
“But first of all he has to get into the Hearts team and he’ll be competing against Zander, for sure. Naisy will have to make a decision.
“But the good thing is he’s on the mend and he’s almost ready. He might’ve played at least one game round about 50-55 minutes, we had a discussion with Naisy the other day. So, he’s on the path to recovery.
“We’ll just have to wait and see where he is, see if he gets into the Hearts team and take it from there. But at this moment in time I think it’s important to talk about the guys who are in the position.
“And we’ve got complete faith in them.”
Carver also confirmed that Ross County keeper Ross Laidlaw is another who the Scotland camp have been keeping a close eye on. He added: “He’s one who has been mentioned in the group when we sit and chat. I’m not going to divulge too many details.
“But, he has been mentioned when we’ve been sat round the table discussing the future.” Up the other end of the pitch, assistant Carver is confident that Lawrence Shankland will use his late call-up to the Scotland squad to stake his claim for a seat on the plane to Germany next summer.
It was announced on Monday that the 28-year-old Hearts captain had been drafted in by Steve Clarke after Southampton forward Che Adams became the latest high-profile absentee for this week’s campaign-concluding double-header.
Carver said: “Obviously with Lawrence getting a couple of goals at the weekend against Motherwell it was right to call him up.
“He’s been on the fringes and done really well in previous squads. He was the next one on the list so it’s good to see him here.
“I don’t think he’ll hold any grudges about not being called up originally. I’m sure he will see this as an opportunity and he’ll be enthused by it.
“If you know Lawrence and his personality, you’d know it’s not an issue because he’s such a good professional and a great guy. He knows it’s extremely competitive to get in to this squad now.
“But it’s an opportunity for him is he gets his chance – because he knows what is ahead next summer. He’ll have the dream of being in Steve’s 23-man squad when the time comes to pick it.
“All he can do is continue to play well for his club and take his opportunity when it comes around.
“I can use Jacob Brown as an example. Jacob has been on the fringes of things and in and out with Luton.
“But he came on against France and did extremely well. This might be an opportunity for him, it might be for Lawrence, but it’s great that he’s in the squad.”
Carver has also thrown the door open to hopeful Scottish nationals insisting that spots are very much still up for grabs ahead of the Euros in Germany.
He added: “We want the best players playing for Scotland. They have to be playing well for their clubs, whoever they are. There might be someone out there we haven’t seen yet.
“There is a bit of time until next summer. We are so studious, we are always looking for the next one.
“We’ve spoken about the manager relying on the squad of players, the ones called up, the ones on the fringes, the ones who come in late.
“Somebody will hopefully poke their heads through and get into that group of 23 for the championships.
“You look at Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson last time. That’s what Steve will do. He’ll give these young players in particular opportunities. Josh Doig is another who has been called up.
“The boy is having a decent season in Italy even though his team is not doing so well. He’s doing okay and it was important with the injuries that we look at our younger players.
“But this is not us experimenting. These are players we know, who have been involved before, and we want to give them an opportunity.
“I can’t get inside Steve’s head at the moment. It’s going to be extremely competitive. The good thing is, because we’ve had a bit of success, everybody wants to be part of it.
“The group has matured, improved and got stronger. We’ve learned from some of our defeats, so it will be extremely competitive.
“Anyone coming into it will need to work extremely hard to get into the group we already have.”
