Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says goalkeeper Liam Kelly is more than capable of being Scotland's new number one and backs him to "acquit himself well" if he gets the nod for the Euro 2024 qualifiers this month.
The Fir Park shot-stopper is in a three-way battle with Hearts' Zander Clark and Norwich City's Angus Gunn to replace the injured Craig Gordon between the sticks for the qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain.
All three are uncapped and Scotland boss has said it is "all to play for" between the trio ahead of the double-header at Hampden on March 25 and 28.
And, ahead of a big test for Kelly this weekend when Motherwell welcome Rangers for a Premiership clash, Kettlewell has backed his captain to rise to the challenge.
He said: "I’d have absolutely no doubt or hesitation that he would acquit himself really, really well.
“I didn’t know Liam particularly well at all before coming to the football club but everything I have seen of him in terms of his performance, how he handles himself as a captain, and as a professional, is first class.
“So I think he would be the type of lad that would relish that opportunity.
“It’s an interesting situation. With Craig Gordon being as good as he has been, guys would often go to training camps and realise who the main guy was.
"But we have a guy here who is a massive influence that I’m sure would rise to that challenge.
"None of us know who will get that number one spot, but there are three pretty good candidates there.
"I'm sure whoever is picked will have the full support of the other two, but I also think we've got someone that Scotland can rely on - and I include Liam Kelly in that situation as well."
Kelly has regularly been called up for camps over the past year and, despite a number of friendlies taking place, he is yet to have played a minute for his country.
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