Scotland's national football team is grappling with a severe goalkeeping crisis ahead of their international friendly against Liechtenstein on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Rheinpark Stadium in Vaduz. In a dramatic turn of events following a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Iceland on June 6, head coach Steve Clarke has been forced to call up two rookies, Ross Doohan and Callan McKenna, to bolster the squad.
The goalkeeping predicament began to unravel during the Iceland match when Angus Gunn, Scotland's number two goalkeeper, was forced off with an ankle injury just minutes into the game. Compounding the crisis, Robby McCrorie suffered a thigh problem in the warm-up, leaving the team with only Ipswich Town's third-choice goalkeeper, 22-year-old Cieran Slicker, to step in. Slicker, who had only nine minutes of football in the previous season and no senior league starts, endured a difficult debut, conceding three goals, including one just 64 seconds after coming on. Clarke later reflected on the situation, saying, "He wasn’t quite ready for it. That wasn’t his fault. That’s the circumstances that dictated that. We’ll now try and support him as much as can."
With first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon, along with regular squad members Zander Clark and Liam Kelly, sidelined due to injuries, Scotland's options were extremely limited. Clarke acknowledged the unusual nature of losing five goalkeepers to injury simultaneously, stating, "It is pretty unusual to have your five first choice goalkeepers all injured. Not everyone plays regularly at their club. It is something we have to address and look at. But it is not going to change in a click of the fingers. It is more for the long term, and the next head coach and the next head coach after that."
In response to this crisis, Clarke called up 27-year-old Ross Doohan and 18-year-old Callan McKenna for their maiden senior Scotland call-ups. Doohan, a free agent after leaving Aberdeen, is expected to return to Celtic, where he would likely serve as a backup goalkeeper. He brings a wealth of experience, having amassed nearly 200 first-team appearances across several clubs, including Ayr United, Ross County, Dundee United, Tranmere Rovers, and Forest Green Rovers. Last season, Doohan made 18 appearances for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, conceding 27 league goals with a save percentage of 56%. He also boasts 20 youth caps for Scotland, primarily at the Under-21 level.
Doohan's career trajectory has seen him develop through Celtic's youth system, followed by multiple loan spells before a permanent move to Tranmere Rovers in 2022. After a brief stint at Forest Green Rovers, he joined Aberdeen, where he served as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Dimitar Mitov. Despite limited game time initially, he stepped up during Mitov's injury spells and featured regularly last season. Notable highlights include a crucial stoppage-time penalty save against Hearts' Jorge Grant, which secured a goalless draw in January 2025.
On the other hand, Callan McKenna is the younger and less experienced of the duo but represents a promising future prospect. The 18-year-old goalkeeper began his career in Scotland, progressing through the youth ranks at Hibernian and Queen's Park. He made his professional debut for Queen's Park as a 16-year-old in a Scottish League Cup match against East Fife in July 2023. Following nine senior appearances, mostly in the Scottish Championship, McKenna transferred to Bournemouth in February 2024 for a reported fee of around £300,000. Since moving to England, he has been featuring primarily for Bournemouth's Under-21 development squad. Clarke had previously brought McKenna into the training squad as a potential long-term option, reflecting concerns about the depth of Scotland's goalkeeping resources.
Scotland's upcoming friendly against Liechtenstein offers an opportunity for these two new call-ups to make their mark on the international stage. While Doohan's experience may see him take the starting spot, McKenna's inclusion signals a commitment to nurturing young talent amid adversity. The match, scheduled for 17:00 BST at Rheinpark Stadium in Vaduz, will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland and the BBC Sport website and app, with online text updates and radio coverage available on BBC Radio Scotland.
Steve Clarke remains pragmatic about the challenges facing his squad but remains hopeful that the team can regroup and improve. Reflecting on the Iceland defeat and the goalkeeping issues, he remarked, "If we had played better, we would not have lost and we need to concentrate on what we didn't do." He also emphasized the resilience required of goalkeepers, stating, "Goalkeepers are a resilient bunch. His character is good in and around the squad. He’s comfortable."
The Scotland national team now faces the task of overcoming this unprecedented injury crisis while preparing for their next international challenge. The inclusion of Doohan and McKenna highlights both the immediate necessity and the long-term considerations for the goalkeeper position. As the team looks ahead to the autumn fixtures, the hope is that the goalkeeping department will regain stability and depth.
With the match against Liechtenstein looming, all eyes will be on the two new call-ups as they step into the spotlight under challenging circumstances. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome of the friendly will provide further insights into Scotland's goalkeeping options moving forward.
