Sebastien Pocognoli has defended Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the wake of his display in the 3-0 defeat to Switzerland and revealed he has no intention of dropping the San Jose Earthquakes player.
Media pundits and Tartan Army footsoldiers were highly critical of Gunn’s performance against the World Cup quarter-finalists at Hampden on Tuesday night even though the national team went down to 10 men in the 11th minute when Jack Hendry was red carded.
Some supporters have called for 27-times capped 30-year-old to be left out of the side in the Nations League meeting with North Macedonia in the National Arena Todor Proeski this evening.
Pocognoli has called up four keepers to his squad during this international break and can also play Scott Bain of Falkirk, Liam Kelly or Rangers and Jon McCracken of Bradford City in the specialist position.
However, the Belgian has no concerns about the form of the 6ft 5in player, who represented his country in the Euro 2024 and World Cup ’26 finals, and intends to keep faith with the man in possession of the No.1 jersey.
Asked if he would stand by Gunn, he said, “Yes, he played a good game in Slovenia. He was quite stable and quite good and he showed a good level also in the camp. So, for me, there was not any doubt or something like this.
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“I fully support him because I think all of my players in this new process need good support because the way that we play is different and more demanding, on the ball and off the ball. And it’s the same for the goalkeeper as well.
“We can always discuss things about pure technique. But I am fully behind him, I support him and he will play tomorrow.”
Pocognoli added, “After the games you can go to all the players and say we should have done this better or that better.
“But I have only had two games in charge and I will not start to rush with anyone. I need to see a good game for a full 90 minutes. Then when this first camp is over, we will analyse the performances and the attitude on the pitch and off the pitch.
“But that’s not only for the goalkeeper - it’s for everybody. I’m not someone who makes a decision after one performance. We need to take time. Yes, the other goalkeepers are doing well, but we need to be proactive for all the positions on the pitch.”
