Much has been suggested of lack of strength in depth of potential Scotland World Cup goalkeepers for Steve Clarke. Are they suggestions true or exaggerated? This is the 2nd of 3 parts of a look far and wide at keepers still playing, to have been suggested as Scotland goalies. Who’s likeliest to board the plane? To find out more, read on.
7) Craig Gordon
| Age | 43 (yes, forty three) |
| Full Scotland caps | 83 |
| Age group Scotland caps | 5 (plus 2 B caps) * |
| Year of last full cap | 2025 (home v Denmark) |
| Current club | Heart of Midlothian |
| Current club division | Scots 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 72.6 (36th globally) |
(* Craig Gordon’s scottishfa.co.uk page currently seems to omit caps he has below A team level. The SFA have been notified.)
Background
Massively experienced with 83 caps and over 700 club appearances at Cowdenbeath, Hearts, Sunderland and Celtic. A Scottish goalkeeping legend, he is also the Peter Pan of Scottish football. He is the 1st of only 3 goalkeepers in this entire 3 part feature with experience of playing in one of the world’s ‘big 5’ divisions.
Gordon is regarded by some as the best Scots goalkeeper of the television era. Gordon’s miraculous point blank reflex save from Zat Knight in 2010 for Sunderland in the English Premier League, was rated save of the decade. He showed he still has it with a similar gasp inducing save this month for Hearts v Dundee.
Gordon was benched in favour of David Marshall for Scotland at the Euros in 2021. Gordon’s international career seemed over in December 2022, after suffering a serious leg break, and subsequently missing first team football for a year. He was given what seemed a farewell late substitute appearance v Finland, ahead of Euro 2024. Gordon wasn’t selected for the Euro ‘24 trip to Germany (Zander Clark, Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly were selected instead).
Recent form
Gordon though featured in both November 2025 World Cup qualifiers versus Greece and Denmark, with Angus Gunn injured. Gordon has understudied this season at top of the table Hearts to Alexander Schwolow. Interestingly at the weekend when Schwolow was available after suspension, Derek McInnes selected Gordon. He followed up his 4 saves out of 4 appearance against Dundee with a 2 saves out of 2 appearance in that game at the weekend against St. Mirren. He kept a clean sheet in both games.
Current 2026 World Cup squad selection likelihood
If fit, 2nd seat on the plane.
8) Angus Gunn
| Age | 30 |
| Full Scotland caps | 20 |
| Age group Scotland caps | 0 |
| Year of last full cap | 2025 (home v Belarus) |
| Current club | Nottingham Forest |
| Current club division | English 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 90.4 (1st globally) |
Background
Angus Gunn is the son of ex-Aberdeen, Norwich, Hibernian and 6 cap Scotland goalie, Bryan Gunn. 30 years old a few days ago, Gunn was Steve Clarke’s #1 until injury cost Gunn his place in the November World Cup qualifiers. Gunn initially did well in his Scotland career, before going through a period with intermittent cotton wrists undermining otherwise competent goalkeeping. He returned to good form in the World Cup qualifiers in 2025, with one stop being referred to as “THAT save” from Greek wonder kid, Konstantinos Karetsas.
Gunn has well over 200, 1st team career appearances to date. Gunn played in all 3 Scotland games at Euro 2024.
Recent form
Gunn’s challenge is this; Matz Sels at Nottingham Forest last season won a bunch of awards as the 2024-25 best goalkeeper in the English Premier League. Gunn in summer 2025 signed for Forest, after being told to expect to play only in cup games and when Sels is unavailable. Then to Gunn’s surprise, Forest signed John Victor to take 2nd place in the Forest goalie pecking order. Gunn has thus so far, zero first team minutes of club football this season.
That lack of club football didn’t stop Clarke picking Gunn for World Cup qualifiers in September and October 2025. Gunn has stated he seeks a move in this transfer window to improve his 1st team opportunities.
Sels injured for a couple of weeks in December meant Gunn at least made the bench. Sels has been less convincing this season, meaning Victor kept his place in the team when Sels returned from injury. Gunn though was 3rd choice again and out of the squad.
Then a truly extraordinary episode on January 3rd at Villa Park. Aston Villa played a long through pass for John McGinn to run on to approx. 50 yards from goal. With 2 defenders there to deal with it, Victor John inexplicably dashed from his goal to get involved with his defenders. McGinn touched the ball to the side of his 3 opponents, and fired the ball into the empty net for his 2nd goal of the game.
Victor John injured himself in all this, tearfully subbing off. He has been out injured since then, making Gunn current 2nd choice of Forest’s 3 goalies.
Current 2026 World Cup squad selection likelihood
If fit, 1st seat on the plane.
9) Nicky Hogarth
| Age | 23 |
| Full Scotland caps | 0 |
| Age group Scotland caps | 0 |
| Year of last full cap | N/A |
| Current club | Falkirk |
| Current club division | Scots 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 72.6 (36th globally) |
Background
Nicky Hogarth playing in goals for Falkirk follows in the footsteps of his father, Myles Hogarth, who previously did so over 100 times. Nicky’s younger brother, Jay, is currently 1st choice GK at Clyde. Both Hogarth brothers have been in the Rangers youth setup.
Nicky Hogarth was generally perceived to have done well for Falkirk in their 2024/25 promotion winning campaign to the Scots top tier. So much so, his name was subsequently touted by some to replace Cieran Slicker for the friendly game v Liechtenstein in summer 2025. As mentioned though in part 1, Ross Doohan instead got the call. Also including his games for Cowdenbeath and Stirling Albion, Hogarth has over 110 first team club appearances to date in his career. Aged 23, he has plenty years ahead of him.
Recent form
After Falkirk’s promotion, they next signed Scott Bain who as mentioned in part 1 of this feature, has cemented a position as Falkirk 1st choice goalie so far this season. Hogarth understudying has 3 appearances in the 1st team this season.
Current 2026 World Cup squad selection likelihood
Unrealistic. He’d benefit from playing 1st team football, ideally at a higher level than he has regularly played so far.
10) Liam Kelly
| Age | 30 |
| Full Scotland caps | 1 |
| Age group Scotland caps | 21 |
| Year of last full cap | 2023 (away v France) |
| Current club | Rangers |
| Current club division | Scots 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 72.6 (36th globally) |
Background
Kelly left Rangers in 2018 after progressing through the Ibrox youth setup. Good form at Livingston earned Kelly 1 and a 1/2 seasons in London at Queen’s Park Rangers. He then spent 3 and a 1/2 years at Motherwell as 1st choice, during which he earned his sole Scotland cap. That debut appearance was 1/2 a game shared with Zander Clark in a friendly away defeat to France.
Recent form
Kelly is in his 2nd season back at Rangers where he is firmly understudy to Jack Butland. Kelly has 2 first team appearances this season, both in cup games versus non-top flight opponents. He was though still selected by Steve Clarke for the squad for all 6 World Cup qualifiers in autumn 2025.
Current 2026 World Cup squad selection likelihood
In contention, although potentially vulnerable to others who play regular 1st team football.
11) Ross Laidlaw
| Age | 33 |
| Full Scotland caps | 0 |
| Age group Scotland caps | 0 |
| Year of last full cap | N/A |
| Current club | Ross County |
| Current club division | Scots 2nd tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 61.6 (148th globally) |
Background
Laidlaw has over 250 career 1st team appearances so far, accumulated at Raith Rovers, Elgin City, Hibernian, Dundee United and Ross County. In 2023, John Carver as Steve Clarke’s number 2, stated Laidlaw had been discussed as a cap prospect. Since then, The Staggies were relegated from Scotland’s top tier at the end of last season.
Recent form
County’s win at the weekend lifted them off bottom of Scotland’s 2nd tier (although Queen’s Park 1 point below them have a game in hand).
Current 2026 World Cup squad selection likelihood
Unrealistic. To genuinely contend for international selection, he needs to move back up the football pyramid.
12) Sam Long
| Age | 23 |
| Full Scotland caps | 0 |
| Age group Scotland caps | 0 |
| Year of last full cap | N/A |
| Current club | Bromley |
| Current club division | English 4th tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 67.2 (70th globally) |
Background
Sam Long is the 1st of 3 players in this feature currently signed for a club in England’s 4th tier. He has 80+ career 1st team appearances so far, including a loan spell at Falkirk. He is another whose best years are likely to be ahead of him.
Recent form
Like many in this feature, his challenges include current lack of 1st team football. Understudying Grant Smith, Long has 8 appearances this season in league and cup for his club’s 1st team.
Current 2026 World Cup squad selection likelihood
Unrealistic. Like e.g., Angelini and Hogarth, Sam Long needs 1st team football and to climb his way up the football pyramid to enhance international prospects.
