Much has been made about England’s goalkeeper selection with pretty much only a 37-year-old to choose from.
Well there is no such problem north of the border as Scotland possess two of the best keepers in Europe. Sunderland’s Craig Gordon is the countries number one but he has Rangers Allan McGregor breathing down his neck.
Gordon has been number one since his days at Hearts and it was his performances for Scotland as well as Hearts that earned him that £9 million move to the Barclay’s Premier League last summer.
Allan McGregor has been inspirational for Rangers since Walter Smith returned to the Ibrox hot seat and he was one of the main reasons Rangers were challenging on four fronts last season. Sadly an injury picked up against Celtic saw him miss the title run in as well as the Scottish and UEFA Cup finals.
- B/R Ticket Guide
This season he was linked with Barcelona, Newcastle United and Aston Villa as Rangers crashed out of Europe and it was rumoured he’d be sold to balance the books. In the end though it was Carlos Cuellar that moved on and Rangers kept a hold of their prized number one.
McGregor is also somewhat of a penalty specialist having saved one for club and country this season already.
Thursday night saw a third name added to the illustrious list.
Motherwell’s Graeme Smith was sensational against Nancy in the UEFA Cup. Motherwell were away to France’s surprise package of last season and needed a strong performance from their number one.
The 25-year-old went one better and kept Motherwell in the game with a string of important saves including a penalty and a last minute one on one stop. Well went down 1-0 but have every chance to overturn that score line at Fir Park in the return leg.
The best compliment that could be thrown Smith’s way is that he is very similar to Craig Gordon and I honestly thought I was watching the Sunderland keeper against Nancy.
National boss George Burley will have taken notice (as well as a host of English scouts) and expect to see the former Rangers youngster in the next Scotland squad.
Funnily enough, Rangers current third choice keeper is also called Graeme Smith. So much for John Smith being the most recurring name on the National register!
Scotland may only have one lion but at least they have three fantastic keepers.
Photo from www.telegraph.co.uk
comments (17) write a comment »
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3 months ago
Ouch.
Robert Green, Paul Robinson (back on form), Joe Hart, David James...
from 3 months ago
Green snubbed, Robinson has been terrible for over a year...Hart overlooked..The England goalkeeping postion is a problem...you can't deny it...
from 3 months ago
Robinson was sensational today.
Green is a consistent performer and have no idea why he is overlooked.
Joe Hart is young but a fantastic prospect and will get his chance.
David James, has his howler's, but is consistent and worldclass on his day.
from 3 months ago
Oh well what do I care :) you can have your world class 37 year old...he wouldn't get a game for Scotland ;)
3 months ago
I have to say I agree with David on this one, I don't think England have a problem with goalkeepers. Scotland have great keepers, but so do England. Robinson was great for Blackburn today, he deserves a recall back into the England squad.
from 3 months ago
So why is there always so much rubbish about England having no obvious number one when James finally loses form?
Anyway the article is about Scotland's keepers :) I just mentioned England to get more chat and reads
from 3 months ago
haha nice trick andrew. scotland have great keepers also, i thought gordon played great for sunderland today.
from 3 months ago
I'm wishing I subbed him in for Cech in the fantasy league.....7 points dammit.
3 months ago
Craig Gordan is really good. good article And.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Thomas. Yeah and he is constantly getting better.
3 months ago
I am not denying that Scotland have great prospects, they were fantastic last qualifying term. However I feel that the Media predominatley blame English goalkeepers as opposed to the the defence. I mean have you ever heard the Media critise Terry or Ferdinand? No. Because they are fantastic for their clubs and any negative publicity will not be taken in haste by fans because they know those players perform consistently at club level and unfortunately keeper's in England must take the blame, even though outfield players make mistakes constantly they are less visible (unless your titus bramble) as keepers.
from 3 months ago
I know David, I'm not being too serious with my comments. I know the English media are at the base of this allegation.
In Scotland it's the defenders that get the blame, they often deserve it though haha
3 months ago
Sticking up for the horrendous errors made by the England keepers probably wont work. Robinson- one good game doesn't change your reputation but one bad game does!
I'm with Andrew, though McGregor deserves to be ahead of Gordon on current form.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Salaar. I'd stay with Gordon for now....settled team and all that and he was great again yesterday!
3 months ago
Andrew you nailed it ! England surely does have a problem with goalkeepers ... and I'm with Salaar on McGregor!
from 3 months ago
Thanks Dev...I just hope Allan gets a clean sheet today :)
3 months ago
off topic ... bt i really hope Edwin van der Sar manages to keep a clean sheet after his histrionics at Anfield ! :P
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