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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Steve Clarke admits Scotland No1 spot up for grabs as Angus Gunn joins squad

Steve Clarke has told his Scotland goalkeepers the No1 spot is up for grabs ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain.

With Craig Gordon ruled out after a horror double-leg break, Clarke has added Angus Gunn to the national team set up alongside call-ups for Zander Clark and Liam Kelly.

There are no Scotland caps between the trio currently, and Clarke has urged the goalkeeping unit to compete to "nail down" the No1 spot going forward.

"The good thing is we have good a full week of training," said Clarke when quizzed over whether Gunn would come in as No1 after switching his allegiance to Scotland.

"I have got three good goalkeepers. Liam Kelly has been in almost every squad, Zander has been in the squad, obviously lost his place when he wasn't playing and he was sitting behind Craig at Hearts.

"Zander is back in the squad and Angus comes into the squad. None of them have got any caps so all to play for in the week."

The trio are all experienced at club level, but have no minutes for Scotland. However, Clarke seemed relaxed over the goalkeeping spot.

"I'll tell you after the qualifiers," he said on whether the international inexperience was a potential issues. "But if you look at it there are not a lot behind Craig, David Marshall and Allan McGregor. There are not many capped in that period anyway.

"Everyone starts afresh and it can be a big chance for somebody to nail down the number one spot."

Gunn is aiming to make an impact in his first squad for Scotland after choosing to change from England in the hopes of featuring on the international stage.

Clarke visited the keeper at club Norwich and brought him into the international fold - with Gunn previously turning down the chance to play for Scotland before Clarke's time as boss.

Clarke explained: "I went down to meet him at Norwich and I didn't have to persuade him too much, it all fitted in quite well. He felt his best chance of playing international football was with Scotland.

"We've lost Craig who was the undisputed number one and I looked at the pool of goalkeepers and felt that if we could improve the pool of goalkeepers that's what we should do and that was the thinking behind bringing Angus on board."

On Gunn's previous decision to turn down a Scotland approach, Clarke added: "The only time I've spoken to him he's chosen to play for the Scottish national team. What's gone on before has gone on before."

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