Angus Gunn doesn’t have time to look deeply into Scotland’s goalkeeper crisis when he’s too busy trying to resolve one of his own.
Steve Clarke wondered aloud recently whether the nation had dropped the ball when it came to long-term planning for the No1 position having been blessed for years with three of the highest calibre in Allan McGregor, David Marshall and Craig Gordon.
Now with Gordon and Liam Kelly both injured, Gunn is the only capped keeper named in the squad for the upcoming friendly double-header against Iceland and Liechtenstein alongside inexperienced pair Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker.
That’s got Clarke thinking that something must have gone wrong to leave the cupboard so bare, but Gunn believes the scenario isn’t as bleak as his manager fears as he looks forward to adding to his 15-cap collection over the coming days.
‘I wouldn’t say there’s been an issue,’ said the former England under-21 cap. ‘I think the nation has been blessed with top goalkeepers for many years. Things happen in cycles. Obviously, injuries happen. Players come in, players go out.
‘The guys that are here training with us this week all look like top quality young keepers. At the same time, it’s about experience and getting that game time in big games. I was quite inexperienced when I came into the squad and I’ve managed to get quite a few games under my belt.
Angus Gunn training with Scots ahead of friendlies with Iceland and Liechtenstein
Gunn was Scotland’s first choice but has been forced to play second fiddle recently
Craig Gordon’s absence through injury has given Gunn a chance to assert himself again
‘Playing at the Euros was a big learning curve for me and a big opportunity. Only things like that can help and benefit goalkeepers. Without experience, you’re not going to get any better.
‘The last few camps I’ve been injured so that’s been very frustrating. I’ve been itching to get back, so it’s a good opportunity and a good few games for us to get involved in.’
Not many players run out to play international football these days with ‘unattached’ next to their name as Gunn will do against Iceland at Hampden on Friday.
The 29-year-old’s four-year stint with hometown club Norwich City came to an abrupt halt at the end of the season after a 13th-place finish in the Championship and he is still on the hunt for what comes next.
He is open to all offers, whether it’s on the Continent like many of his team-mates or even a move north to play club football in Scotland for the first time in his career. But with a possible World Cup to aim for this time next year – should Scotland qualify – he knows this next club has to be the right one for many reasons.
‘The transfer window has just opened so that’s just started,’ he added. ‘There are a few conversations happening but I don’t want to rush into anything.
‘I’m over it now (his exit from Norwich). It was only something that I felt personally they could have handled better. Ultimately, I think the decision was probably the right one from both sides for me to move on and go somewhere else in my career. And I’m really excited for that.
‘It’s definitely a big factor that there’s a qualifying campaign coming up for the World Cup in America. That’s definitely a big focus for me. It’s something that will be in the back of my mind when I make the decision.
Gunn hopes the double header can put him in shop window for a new club after leaving Norwich
‘But there are a lot of factors. I’m a bit older now, a bit more experienced and I know the game. I’ve got a young family as well and I want to look after them. I’m open to anything. I’m open to going anywhere that I think is a good fit for me.’
Gunn’s international career has been similarly tumultuous since he was first capped in March 2023 after being persuaded to switch from England, much to dad Bryan’s obvious delight. Gunn quickly established himself as first-choice under Clarke and went on to start all three games at last summer’s European Championships.
Gordon looked to be on the way out of the international picture at that point but, when Gunn picked up an injury last autumn, it was the veteran Hearts goalkeeper who filled the void.
With Gordon now 43 years old, it’s hard to view this as a potentially long-running duel for the gloves but Gunn has nothing but praise for the senior man.
‘Last season I had a few injuries which kept me out of the squad so that was frustrating,’ he added. ‘Obviously it’s down to the manager and what he wants to do but it’s good to see Craig back and doing well at Hearts.
‘Now he’s picked up the injury but for the last part of last season, he had a good spell in the (Scotland) team. Things change quickly in football so you never really know. You’ve got to take each game as it comes and hopefully I can get two caps this week and keep moving forward.’
Being part of the first Scotland men’s squad to play at a World Cup since 1998 also serves as an understandable incentive for Gunn.
‘I think it’s definitely the pinnacle, playing at a World Cup. I had that taste of getting to the Euros, that feeling when we qualified and then actually getting there. It went quite quickly and it’s definitely something that I want to experience again and hopefully savour a bit more.’
