Steve Clarke is set to launch an urgent search for goalkeeping reinforcements following Scotland's disappointing 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park on Friday, June 6, 2025. The loss was compounded by an early injury to first-choice goalkeeper Angus Gunn and a subsequent, challenging debut for Cieran Slicker.

The match began poorly for Scotland, with Iceland taking the lead in the 8th minute through Andri Gudjohnsen. Adding to Clarke's woes, Angus Gunn sustained an ankle injury early in the game, forcing him off the pitch. This brought 22-year-old Cieran Slicker into the fray, earlier than anticipated. To make matters worse, Robby McCrorie, the more experienced substitute, had already suffered a thigh injury during the pre-match warm-up, further depleting Clarke's options between the posts.

Slicker's debut was far from ideal. He conceded an early goal and struggled to assert himself, with his kicking and handling proving problematic. While John Souttar managed to equalize for Scotland in the 25th minute from a Max Johnston corner, Iceland regained the lead just before halftime thanks to a Lewis Ferguson own goal. Slicker's night worsened in the second half when a header from Victor Palsson slipped through his grasp, extending Iceland's lead. Despite a late push from Scotland, including a disallowed goal for George Hirst, they were unable to mount a comeback.

Clarke had previously voiced concerns about the lack of depth in the goalkeeping department, especially with Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, and Zander Clark already sidelined due to injury. The situation has now reached a critical point, prompting Clarke to seek immediate cover.

Looking ahead, Scotland faces Liechtenstein in Vaduz on Monday, June 9, for another friendly match. As it stands, the only other fit goalkeeper in the squad is 18-year-old Callan McKenna of Bournemouth, who was initially brought in for training experience. Clarke faces a race against time to find an experienced goalkeeper to provide adequate cover for the upcoming fixture.

Clarke acknowledged the difficult circumstances following the Iceland game, expressing sympathy for Cieran Slicker. He plans to speak with the young goalkeeper to assess his mindset before making a decision about the Liechtenstein match. He also stated that he would be scouting around to see if there were any available experienced keepers who weren't on vacation that could join the team. He noted that options were not jumping off the page at him.

The defeat against Iceland serves as a stark reminder of the importance of squad depth, particularly in crucial positions like goalkeeper. Clarke's immediate focus will be on addressing this issue and ensuring that Scotland has sufficient cover as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers, which begin in Denmark in September. While the debut of 18-year-old Lennon Miller provided a silver lining, the goalkeeping crisis demands immediate attention.