8 days ago we reported that in the first weekend after the international break, only 3 Scotland eligible GKs played in the top 75 Opta ranked divisions globally. However, in some welcome good news, 2 additional Scottish goalkeepers are now also back in first team action. Details below of those 5 GKs in Opta’s top 75 divisions, & of the GK making it 6 who are Scotland eligible in the top 100 divisions. Stats are as per date of article publication.
Scott Bain
| Age (& date of birth) | 34 (22.11.1991) |
| Current club | Falkirk |
| Club division | Scots 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 75.6 (38th globally) |
| Current playing status | 1st team regular |
| In latest Scotland squad? | Yes |
Bain played in Falkirk’s 2-1 win at Hibs at the weekend. He remains Falkirk first choice GK & continues to enjoy a good season. Nicky Hogarth means Falkirk have Scottish goalkeepers as first & second choice.
Chris Brady
| Age (& date of birth) | 22 (03.03.2004) |
| Current club | Chicago Fire |
| Club division | USA 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 79.9 (17th globally) |
| Current playing status | 1st team regular |
| In latest Scotland squad? | No |
Brady played at the weekend in the 1-0 defeat at New England Revolution. That 1-0 loss though was enough for Brady & his team mates to qualify for the MLS end of season playoffs.
However, as per our debunk article, Brady has never expressed any interest in representing Scotland. Brady has played in 2 friendlies for USA. However, he retains Scotland eligibility until he plays for USA in a competitive fixture.
Angus Gunn
| Age (& date of birth) | 30 (22.01.1996) |
| Current club | San Jose Earthquakes |
| Club division | USA 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 79.9 (17th globally) |
| Current playing status | 1st team regular |
| In latest Scotland squad? | Yes |
Gunn didn’t feature in the Quakes’ match day squad v Colorado Rapids on the first weekend after the international break. However, he played the full 90 mins in both Quakes’ games since then. Both ended 1-1, at Real Salt Lake & then at home to Nashville. Like Brady, Gunn’s club have qualified for the MLS end of season playoffs.
Jon McCracken
| Age (& date of birth) | 26 (24.05.2000) |
| Current club | Bradford City |
| Club division | English 3rd tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 75.0 (44th globally) |
| Current playing status | 1st team regular |
| In latest Scotland squad? | Yes |
McCracken played for Bradford yesterday evening, notching yet another clean sheet to add to his reputation there as a clean sheet king. He now has 13 clean sheets from his 10 Bradford first team games so far. If McCracken maintains that form he is prospectively looking at being named in the divisional team of the season.
The 0-0 draw at Burton Albion last night means Bradford dropped from top to 3rd place, one point behind both Stockport County & Huddersfield respectively. Scotland ex-U21s internationalist, Ibane Bowat, moved to Huddersfield in the Summer where he is established as a first choice CB.
Of the 4 Scottish goalkeepers in Pocognoli’s squad in the recent international break, McCracken didn’t make the match day squad in any of those 4 games. Liam Kelly made the matchday squad in all 4 games despite not playing any first team football this season & only 3 first team club games last season. All 3 of Kelly’s Rangers games last season were cup games against lower league opposition.
Cieran Slicker
| Age (& date of birth) | 24 (15.09.2002) |
| Current club | Barnsley (on loan from Ipswich Town) |
| Club division | English 3rd tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 75.0 (44th globally) |
| Current playing status | Debuted for Barnsley last night |
| In current Scotland squad? | No |
Ipswich loaned Slicker to Barnet in England’s 4th tier last season. Slicker’s Barnet form was sufficient to earn a loan this season to Barnsley, one division higher in the English 3rd tier. However, his career paused this season due to injury.
Slicker made the Barnsley first team squad for the first time on Saturday. Next, he made his Barnsley debut yesterday evening losing 2-1 at Luton Town. MK Dons dropping Craig McGillivray earlier this season means there are 2 Scottish goalkeepers currently playing in this division. In contrast to McCracken chasing promotion with Bradford, Slicker & Barnsley are in a relegation battle, 22nd in their 24 team division.
Slicker added to Gunn’s recall now makes it 5 Scotland eligible GKs who played in the most recent game for their clubs in the Opta top 75 ranked divisions. From acorns oak trees grow.
Ed McGinty
| Age (& date of birth) | 27 (05.08.1999) |
| Current club | Shamrock Rovers |
| Club division | Rep. of Ireland 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 70.1 (78th globally) |
| Current playing status | First team regular |
| In current Scotland squad? | No |
The Motherwell born GK from the Celtic & Hibs youth setups, played at the weekend in Rovers’ 2-0 defeat at Galway United. Ex-Scotland U21 call-up, Vincent Angelini, was again the sub GK for Galway for whom Angelini is yet to play any first team minutes.
McGinty combined with the 5 GKs above means 6 Scotland eligible GKs played in the Opta top 100 ranked divisions at the weekend. That at least is an improvement on the situation 2 weekends ago. There is no expectation anywhere of McGinty receiving a Scotland call-up. However, in the event of a GK injury crisis, who knows given the current shortage of alternatives?
