Clarke: Slicker Thrown Into Situation He Perhaps Wasn't Ready For
Friday, 6th Jun 2025 23:10
Scotland boss Steve Clarke says he feels for Blues keeper Cieran Slicker following his difficult full international debut in the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park and admitted that the 22-year-old may have been thrown into a situation he wasn’t ready for.
Slicker came off the bench in the seventh minute, replacing former Norwich man Angus Gunn, who had suffered a knock.
The former Manchester City youngster, who played only nine minutes for the Blues during the season as a late sub in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Bristol Rovers with the game already well won, had been Scotland’s third-choice keeper on the night but second string, Kilmarnock’s Robby McCrorie, picked up an injury in the warm-up.
“It was disappointing,” Clarke told BBC Radio Scotland. “The night didn't get off to a good start.
“It’s difficult for Cieran. I feel for him, I really feel for him. He got thrown into a situation where perhaps he wasn't quite ready for it.
“But Craig \[Gordon\]’s injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark was injured.
“I mentioned back in March that it was something I thought might come back to bite us. The only good thing is it came in a friendly match.”
He added: “So, a tough night. I feel a little bit for young Cieran. I’ll sit with him over the next couple of days and we’ll have a little chat about it.”
Clarke, who expects Gunn to be unavailable for the friendly against Liechtenstein in Vaduz on Monday, has already added another keeper, 18-year-old Callan McKenna, who joined Bournemouth from Queen’s Park last February, and will be hoping to draft another.
“I've had young Callan McKenna with us,” he added. “Callan will travel, and hopefully we’ll find another somewhere in Scotland who’s not on holiday.”
_Photo: REUTERS/Russell Cheyne_
Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to [login](/login/) in order to post your comments