Scotland head coach Steve Clarke will lean on Chris Woods for help with goalkeeper dilemma

Steve Clarke will again lean on former England keeper Chris Woods’ tutelage of Scotland’s goalkeeping department going into this month’s crunch 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Denmark.

Angus Gunn, frozen out at loan club Nottingham Forest, played in the opening four Group C fixtures from which the Scots took 10 points to sit behind leaders Denmark on goal difference, which guarantees at least a play-off spot next March.

However, Gunn has picked up a knee injury and Clarke brought back Falkirk keeper Scott Bain for the trip to Piraeus on November 15 and the return game against the Danes at Hampden Park three days later, the 33-year-old having won the last of his three caps in 2019.

Bain joins 42-year-old Hearts number two Craig Gordon and Rangers back-up keeper Liam Kelly, and all three will again be assessed by Woods when the squad travel to Turkey for their warm weather training camp ahead of the Greece game.

The Scots likely need to take at least a point against the already-eliminated Greeks to set up a shoot-out against Denmark, and 81-times capped Gordon’s experience may get him the nod but Clarke will take the guidance of Woods before making his decision.

The Scotland boss said: “Woodsy, he loves all his goalies. He loves them all. He was happy with everybody (in the last squad).

“He eventually came to me and said you need to make the decision because they’ve all trained really well.

“There was nothing between the three of them. I’ve said that on a number of occasions about the goalkeeping group.

“They work really well together. There’s a good harmony among them.

“They understand how difficult it is to be the number one goalie and then how difficult it is to be the number two and how difficult it is to be the number three.

“They all seem to buy into whatever role they’re asked to do. It’s something that people make a lot of.

“I don’t worry too much about it, if I’m being honest, because I’ve got great confidence in Chris and the goalkeeping squad.”

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland also returns to the squad having played his last game for the national team against Poland a year ago.

Clarke believes the Gorgie duo should bring confidence from the Jambos’ terrific start to the season which has propelled them to the top of the William Hill Premiership, nine points ahead of Celtic having played a game more.

The former West Brom, Reading and Kilmarnock manager said: “They should be. They’re doing fantastic with their club.

“Everything’s going well. Even though Craig’s not playing he’ll still have that feel-good factor around him.

“I’m sure he’s delighted for his teammates that they’re winning every week. I’m sure he wants to play.

“I know Craig very well and I know he wants to play, but I’m sure he’ll be happy for the team that they’re being so successful at the moment.”