Manager Steve Clarke has played down Scotland’s goalkeeping crisis and is intent on setting up a “cup final” against Denmark in the second of this month’s pivotal World Cup qualifiers.
Angus Gunn, who has started all four qualifiers, is missing through injury so Falkirk’s Scott Bain – the 33-year-old who won the last of his three caps in San Marino in 2019 – returns for the games against against Greece and Denmark.
Clarke’s choice in goal will be between Bain, Liam Kelly – who has made one League Cup appearance for Rangers this term – and Craig Gordon, who will be 43 next month and has not played at all this season.
Scotland are second in Group C after three wins and a draw and have already secured at least a place in the World Cup play-offs in March.
They are likely to need at least a point in Greece on 15 November to set up a winner-takes-all showdown at Hampden against Denmark three days later, given the group leaders have a superior goal difference and face bottom side Belarus next.
“We’re in a good position. What we have to do is make sure we get the result we need in Greece to make the Denmark game a cup final,” said Clarke.
“It’s always a blow when somebody misses out with injury and Angus did well in the four games up until now.
“We were in the same position in September, when Angus hadn’t been playing either. With goalkeepers, it’s a different position.
“Quite often they’re the number two or the number three with their clubs. As long you’ve got boys who train well, goalkeepers can be out of the team for a long time and when they’re asked to go in, they’ll be ready.”
In-form Heart of Midlothian striker Lawrence Shankland has also been recalled and Clarke says “if you need goals, Lawrence is your man”.
The 30-year-old last featured for Scotland in the Nations League victory over Poland 12 months ago but returns along with defenders Ross McCrorie and Josh Doig as Scotland seek to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998.