Liam Kelly: Craig Gordon interested to see who replaces him in goal for Scotland

Kelly, Zander Clark and Angus Gunn are candidates to be number one

Author: Gabriel AntoniazziPublished 22nd Mar 2023
Last updated 24th Mar 2023

Craig Gordon is curious as to who will take his place in goal for Scotland's game against Cyprus on Saturday, according to one of the contenders Liam Kelly.

The 40-year-old Hearts keeper, capped 74 times for Scotland, is recovering from a season-ending double leg-break and misses the opening Euro 2024 qualifying double-header against the Cypriots and Spain at Hampden Park.

Boss Steve Clarke has to choose between three uncapped keepers - Gordon's replacement at Tynecastle, Zander Clark, Motherwell number one Kelly and Norwich's Angus Gunn, son of former Scotland keeper Bryan Gunn, who was given a first Scotland call-up after after coming through the under-age groups with England.

Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, Kelly, 27, said: "I spoke to Craig after he got injured and we played Hearts a couple of weeks ago so I've seen him here (at Fir Park).

"He said it was going to be interesting to see how it plays out.

"Ultimately he has been the main man for such a long period of time so we don't know if anyone else can play yet because he has been so good for so long. He has been amazing so we just need to find out."

Kelly looks forward to battling with the Canaries goalkeeper and Clark for the number one jersey on Saturday.

He said: "He's playing every week for Norwich in the Championship so he is obviously a very good goalkeeper.

"He will obviously think he is good enough to play, Zander will think the same and I think the same but ultimately it is the manager's decision.

"The manager is always fair. He will decide who he wants to play and we will take it from there.

"It will be interesting. It will be someone new, someone fresh, someone that none of the fans will have seen (playing for Scotland) before.

"But ultimately the most important thing is Scotland doing really well and whether it is myself, Zander or Angus, hopefully we can play well and get the right result for Scotland."

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