With the sky-high stakes for Steve Clarke, he has today announced his Scotland World Cup squad. As we approach this momentous event in the history of Scottish sport, we start our 4 part analysis of his squad by looking at goalkeepers.
Craig Gordon
| Age | 43 |
| Full Scotland caps | 83 |
| Date of latest cap | November 2025 (home v Denmark) |
| Club | Heart of Midlothian |
| Current club division | Scots 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 75.9 (39th globally) |
There is little change to Gordon’s 1st team appearances this season, since our extensive review in January of Scotland GK options. Specifically, Gordon has played in only 3 club games all season, either through injury or understudying Alexander Schwolow. In those 3 appearances, he made a gasp-inducing wonder save at Dens Park in January. Otherwise though he was unconvincing. Gordon though generally did well covering for Angus Gunn in the 2 World Cup qualifiers in the November international break.
Further, Gordon hasn’t played for Hearts since January. Nor has he made the Hearts squad since mid-Feb due to injury. However, Gordon was pictured training with Hearts last week, while being watched by Scotland GK coach, Chris Woods. Hence, Woods is obviously happy that Gordon is again fit & ready to play if called on.
Angus Gunn
| Age | 30 |
| Full Scotland caps | 21 |
| Date of latest cap | March 2026 (home v Japan) |
| Club | Nottingham Forest |
| Current club division | English 1st tier |
| Club division Opta rating | 91.9 (1st globally) |
Even more so than Gordon’s situation, there’s no change in Gunn’s status at Nottingham Forest since we analysed the March Scotland squad. Gunn has thus a grand total of 45 minutes (plus 2nd half stoppage time), of club first team football this season. Indeed, Gunn is now 4th choice at the City Ground behind Matz Sels, John Victor & Stefan Ortega. However, Gunn did well in the World Cup qualifiers in September & October. He will likely start as Scotland’s #1 GK in USA this Summer.
Looking beyond the World Cup, Gunn’s contract expires this Summer. It remains to be seen where and how much club football he plays next season. He has previously been suggested as an Old Firm signing target. It remains to be seen if that is still the case.
Liam Kelly
| Age | 30 |
| Full caps | 2 |
| Date of latest cap | March 2026 (v Côte d’Ivoire) |
| Club | Rangers |
| Club’s division | Scottish 1st |
| Opta rating of club’s division | 75.9 (39th globally) |
No change to Kelly’s status since we analysed the March internationals squad. He has played 3 club matches all season, all against lower league opposition and none since 8 February. Otherwise he has understudied Jack Butland.
Kelly did though play 45 mins as did Scot Bain, in the March international game v Côte d’Ivoire. He was felt to have been unconvincing in that game, and somewhat sluggish when the Africans scored.
Kelly making the Scotland World Cup squad was felt potentially under threat if Gordon returned to fitness in time for the World Cup. However, it’s Bain, injured for the last 3 Falkirk games of the season, who misses out. Bain had been a 1st team regular for Falkirk since transferring from Celtic last Summer. When Bain injured, he was reported expected to be out for 3 weeks. 3 weeks have passed & Bain’s current injury status seems unclear. Kelly has a reputation of being a great asset off the pitch. It seems that socially, he is a natural entertainer. How much value Steve Clarke attaches to that in his desire for squad harmony, only Clarke (and possibly his staff) know.
Kelly like Gunn will be out of contract in the Summer. If he moves, perhaps next season he will play more 1st team football for another club than he has being an understudy at Rangers.
The selection of Gordon, Gunn & Kelly, means soberingly, the Scotland World Cup squad has 3 goalkeepers with a combined 7 first team club appearances this season. None have played 1st team club football since at least February.
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