Angus Gunn on the way to Scotland No.1 jersey
Angus Gunn has been told he is well on the way to establishing himself as Scotland’s No.1 goalkeeper.
The Norwich shot-stopper kept two clean sheets for Steve Clarke’s in-form side after committing his future to the country – and following in the footsteps of dad and City legend Bryan – before the international break.
Scotland toppled Spain and Malta in their first two Euro 2024 qualifiers as fellow Canaries Grant Hanley and Kenny McLean also starred at Hampden Park.
Celtic legend Jackie McNamara, who earned 33 Scotland caps between 1996 and 2005, says Gunn still has work to do to cement his position ahead of Craig Gordon but his impressive performances can lay the foundations for a long-term international career.
The 49-year-old, who played over 250 games and won four league titles during a decorated decade at Parkhead, said: “His performances have been excellent – so the possibility is definitely there.
“I don’t know if that last camp was enough for Steve to come out and say Angus is his No.1 goalkeeper, but the prospect [of Gunn becoming No.1] is real.
“I think we have got the best squad of players we have had for a long, long time.
“The team is fairly young, they are growing together and Steve has got a real connection with them.
“That is apparent by the improvement that we have seen in the team.
“I wasn’t confident but I was very hopeful that we could beat Spain, and that proved to be the case.
“It wasn’t a fluke, it was a fairly solid display and it gets us off to a wonderful start in this campaign.”
City skipper Hanley also started both of Scotland’s clashes as Scott McTominay’s four goals helped fire Clarke’s side to a pair of vital victories.
McLean came off the bench in the 2-0 win over Spain as Billy Gilmour, who endured a difficult loan spell from Chelsea at Carrow Road last season, remained an unused substitute.
Gunn, Hanley and McLean were joined by Premier League stars including McTominay, Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Kieran Tierney in the Scotland starting line-up.
And McNamara hopes their top-flight pedigree can propel them all the way to next summer’s Euros in Germany.
"They are playing in the Premier League at really good levels,” added McNamara, speaking alongside former Scotland boss Craig Levein at the launch of the eScottish Football Cup 2023 at Hampden Park on Wednesday.
“That is the highest bar that can be set; Champions League is akin to international football.
“The next challenge for Scotland is playing in major competitions. The often you can experience that, the more you can grow and be a better player. That is what we are seeing with Scotland players at the moment.
“I feel that’s because of the improvement in the group, they are all very confident when they get together.
“The dynamics of the team are excellent at the moment, the togetherness is apparent and the way they fight for each other on the field is obvious as well.”
The eScottish Football Cup is taking place at Hampden Park over 20th/21st May, with up to 75 clubs from across the country competing for a prize pool of £50,000
