Angus Gunn starts for Scotland as Steve Clarke names team to face Cyprus

Angus Gunn will start in goal for Scotland against Cyprus after Steve Clarke made a final call on the number one spot.

Norwich City keeper Gunn was vying with Motherwell’s Liam Kelly and Hearts’ Zander Clark for the position, with Craig Gordon sidelined by injury.

Clarke had said in the build-up to the Cyprus match that it was going to be a tough call but it is Gunn who has been given the jersey for Saturday’s game against Cyprus at Hampden.

The 27-year-old, son of former Scotland international Bryan Gunn, played for England up to Under-21 level but has been persuaded by Clarke to switch his international allegiance.

Gunn starts behind a defence of Keiran Tierney, Grant Hanley and Ryan Porteous.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson and Aaron Hickey are in the wing-back positions, while Ryan Jack, Callum McGregor and John McGinn are in midfield. Stuart Armstrong supports Che Adams in attack.

Celtic midfielder McGregor will be earning his 50th international cap.

Scotland are aiming for a positive start to the qualifying group, with a home test against Spain to follow on Tuesday. Norway and Georgia make up the rest of Group A, with the top two qualifying automatically for the finals in Germany.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Your Scotland team for today's European Qualifier against Cyprus.

Come on Scotland!#SCOCYP pic.twitter.com/GP9nGCdGEA
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 25, 2023