Scotland's recent friendly against Iceland on June 6, 2025, at Hampden Park was a night to forget for goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, whose debut was marred by a series of unfortunate events that left the national team facing a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their upcoming match against Liechtenstein.
Steve Clarke, Scotland's head coach, candidly admitted that Slicker "wasn't quite ready" for the challenge of his first senior international appearance. The 22-year-old Ipswich Town goalkeeper was unexpectedly thrust into action just seven minutes into the match after starting goalkeeper Angus Gunn suffered an ankle injury. To compound matters, Robby McCrorie, who was supposed to be the backup keeper, was sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during the warm-up. This left Clarke with little choice but to turn to Slicker, who had only played nine minutes of first-team football this season.
From the moment Slicker entered the pitch, the game took a difficult turn. Within a minute of his debut, a misdirected clearance was quickly seized upon by Iceland's Andri Guðjohnsen, who lobbed a precise shot over the keeper to give the visitors an early lead. This immediate concession dented Slicker's confidence, and his struggles continued throughout the match. He fumbled a corner that resulted in a Lewis Ferguson own goal just before halftime, and shortly after the break, Iceland's Victor Palsson scored with a header that slipped through Slicker's hands. Although VAR reviewed the goal for a potential offside, it was ultimately allowed to stand, adding to the mounting pressure on the young keeper.
Despite these setbacks, Scotland showed resilience. John Souttar headed in an equalizer from a Max Johnston corner in the 25th minute, and the team began to find some rhythm. However, the defensive lapses and Slicker's difficulties ultimately overshadowed these moments. The match ended in a 3-1 defeat, marking Iceland's first-ever win against Scotland after six previous losses in their head-to-head history.
Clarke expressed sympathy for Slicker, acknowledging the tough circumstances: "I feel for him. He got thrown into a situation where he maybe wasn't quite ready for it." The manager also highlighted the broader goalkeeping predicament facing Scotland, with veteran Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, and Zander Clark all sidelined due to injury. Clarke noted, "The only good thing is it came in a friendly match," but also admitted the situation was far from ideal.
Looking ahead to the upcoming friendly against Liechtenstein on Monday, June 9, 2025, Clarke revealed plans to seek additional goalkeeping options. The only other fit goalkeeper in the squad is 18-year-old Callan McKenna, who recently joined Bournemouth from Queen's Park and has been training with the national team. Clarke stated, "I've had young Callan McKenna with us. Callan will travel, and hopefully we'll find another [keeper] somewhere in Scotland who's not on holiday." He further explained that they would assess Slicker's condition and performance in training before deciding on the starting goalkeeper for the Liechtenstein match.
The Scotland squad that faced Iceland featured a blend of experience and youth. Notably, Kieran Tierney earned his 50th cap playing in a back five, while Ipswich forward George Hirst and Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston made their first starts. Hirst, who had a promising game, was denied a goal by a VAR offside decision after scoring in the 63rd minute, and Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller made his Scotland debut as a substitute in the 68th minute alongside striker Che Adams and defender Scott McKenna.
Despite the loss, Scotland created several chances throughout the match. John McGinn's precise crossing led to Hirst's early header over the bar, and Hirst also tested Iceland's goalkeeper Elias Olafsson with a powerful shot tipped over the crossbar. Later in the game, McGinn's clever chip was also saved by Olafsson, underscoring Scotland's attacking intent.
The defeat to Iceland was Scotland's second consecutive loss at Hampden, a concerning trend as the team prepares for the World Cup qualifiers beginning in September. Clarke's immediate priority is to stabilize the goalkeeping position, which has been severely impacted by injuries. He emphasized his support for Slicker, saying, "We'll try and support him as much as we can and, listen, he'll get over it. Goalkeepers are a resilient bunch. He's good around the squad, he's comfortable. It was probably an opportunity that came a little bit too early for him but we'll be there to support him and help him."
As the team looks ahead to the Liechtenstein fixture, the goalkeeping situation remains fluid. Clarke and his staff are actively scouting for available keepers within Scotland to bolster the squad, hoping to avoid relying solely on the inexperienced McKenna or the still-recovering Slicker. The upcoming match in Vaduz at 5 PM on June 9 will be a critical test for Scotland as they aim to regroup and build momentum before the more demanding World Cup qualifiers.
In summary, Scotland's 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland highlighted significant challenges in the goalkeeping department, with Cieran Slicker's baptism of fire exposing the national team's depth issues. Steve Clarke's candid reflections and immediate plans to seek reinforcements underscore the urgency of the situation as Scotland prepares for their next international outing.
