Ross Doohan and Callan McKenna have been called up for the first time Scotland have called up free agent Ross Doohan and Bournemouth's 18-year-old Callan McKenna for Monday's friendly in Liechtenstein in an attempt to address their goalkeeping crisis. Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie have left the squad following Friday's defeat by Iceland. Cieran Slicker suffered a torrid debut at Hampden after replacing the injured Gunn, McCrorie having picked up a strain in the warm-up. Scotland head coach Steve Clarke - who had previously warned that his lack of options in the position was a concern - admitted after the game he would be looking for "another goalkeeper in Scotland who's not on holiday". With first-choice Craig Gordon, plus regular squad members Zander Clark and Liam Kelly, missing from the original squad through injury, the nation have been forced to turn to Doohan and McKenna. Doohan, 27, is reportedly set to return to Celtic after leaving Aberdeen, where he played 18 times this term as back-up to Dimitar Mitov, while McKenna has been officially added to the squad having trained with them last week. When Gunn went down injured six minutes into the Iceland game, Clarke had to summon 22-year-old Slicker, who was effectively his sixth-choice goalkeeper. Only 64 seconds into his debut, the former Scotland Under-21 regular's attempt to clear a Kieran Tierney passback was picked up by Andri Gudjohnsen, who curled his drive over the stranded goalkeeper. Former Manchester City youngster Slicker, who has never played a senior league game and only has 10 minutes of FA Cup football for Ipswich Town to his name in the season past, was visibly shaken. Slicker was not the only culprit as Lewis Ferguson deflected the ball past him after the Scotland defence made a mess of clearing a corner to hand Iceland a 2-1 lead after John Souttar's equaliser. However, the young goalkeeper looked badly at fault as Victor Palsson's header bypassed his flailing arms for the third. Clarke was left to conclude that "he wasn't quite ready" for such a big occasion and that "I really feel for him". Doohan is a product of Celtic's youth set-up and had loan spells with Cumbernauld Colts, Greenock Morton, Ayr United, Ross County, Dundee United and Tranmere Rovers before joining the League Two club permanently in 2022. After a only half a season there, the Scotland Under-21 cap moved up to League One with Forest Green Rovers, but following their relegation, he joined Aberdeen the following summer. Doohan has been the back up at Pittodrie, playing only twice in his first season and 18 times in the latest campaign while Bulgaria's Mitov was injured. With his contract expiring, he has left Pittodrie and is being linked with a return to Celtic, where the 27-year-old would likely be back-up to Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo. McKenna came through the youth ranks with Hibernian, then Queen's Park, making his professional debut for the latter as a 16-year-old in a Scottish League Cup tie against East Fife in July 2023. Following reports of interest from Premier League and Championship clubs, he was sold to Bournemouth in February 2024 having made just nine senior appearances - mainly in the Scottish second tier. Since moving south, the Scotland age-group keeper has been in Bournemouth's development side and was with Clarke's squad for this camp as a training player.
Scotland add Doohan & McKenna after five keepers ruled out
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Scotland's Goalkeeping Crisis Leads to Call-Ups for Doohan and McKenna"
Bbc News
7.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Scotland's national football team has made emergency call-ups for free agent Ross Doohan and 18-year-old Callan McKenna as they face a goalkeeping crisis ahead of their friendly match in Liechtenstein. The situation arose after Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie withdrew from the squad following a recent defeat to Iceland. Cieran Slicker, who stepped in for Gunn during the match, struggled significantly during his debut, leading to Scotland conceding three goals in a disappointing performance. Head coach Steve Clarke expressed his concerns about the lack of goalkeeper options, noting that he would search for another available goalkeeper in Scotland. With established players Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, and Liam Kelly already sidelined due to injuries, the team had to rely on the newly called-up Doohan and McKenna to fill the gap in their goalkeeping roster.
Ross Doohan, aged 27, has had a varied career, coming through Celtic's youth system and subsequently playing for various clubs on loan before joining Aberdeen, where he served as a backup keeper. With his contract at Aberdeen expiring, he is rumored to be returning to Celtic, where he would likely compete for the backup position behind established goalkeepers. Meanwhile, Callan McKenna, who recently transitioned to Bournemouth from Queen's Park, has been training with the Scotland squad and is expected to add youthful energy to the team. His experience includes a brief stint in the Scottish League Cup. Clarke's decision to call up these players highlights the pressing need for depth in the goalkeeper position, especially after Slicker’s unfortunate debut performance, indicating that Scotland's goalkeeping situation remains precarious as they prepare for their upcoming match.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights Scotland's ongoing goalkeeping crisis, leading to the call-up of two new players, Ross Doohan and Callan McKenna, as substitutes for an upcoming friendly match. The situation arose after injuries left the team with a depleted goalkeeper roster, raising concerns for the national team's performance.
Implications of the Goalkeeping Crisis
The decision to bring in inexperienced players may evoke mixed feelings among fans and analysts. It illustrates the urgency of the situation while potentially undermining confidence in the team’s depth and preparation. The fact that the national coach, Steve Clarke, had to look for a goalkeeper "not on holiday" indicates a lack of options that could be perceived negatively. This could impact public sentiment towards the Scottish Football Association's player development and scouting strategies.
Public Perception and Reaction
The article may create a sense of concern among fans regarding the national team's capability to perform under pressure. Highlighting the poor performance of Cieran Slicker during his debut serves to emphasize the severity of the crisis and potentially instill doubt about the team's prospects. By focusing on the inexperience of the selected goalkeepers, the narrative may aim to rally support for the players but also risks alienating fans seeking assurance in the team's competitive strength.
Potential Hidden Agendas
While the article primarily focuses on the immediate crisis, it could also serve as a distraction from broader issues within Scottish football, such as player injuries or management decisions. By concentrating on the goalkeeper situation, it may shift attention away from systemic problems, such as the need for improved player welfare or the effectiveness of training programs.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
When placed alongside other sports news, this article fits into a broader narrative of player injuries affecting team performance across various leagues. It may resonate with similar stories where teams struggle due to unexpected injuries, reflecting a common challenge in sports management.
Broader Impact on Society and Economy
The ongoing struggles of the national team can affect local economies, particularly in relation to match attendance and merchandise sales. A lackluster performance may lead to decreased fan engagement, impacting revenue streams for clubs and associated businesses.
Community Support
This news may garner support from dedicated football fans who empathize with the challenges faced by the team. It speaks to a sense of community and resilience, as fans often rally behind their team in tough times.
Market Implications
In terms of market impact, while this specific situation may not directly influence stock prices, it reflects on the health of Scottish football as a business. Companies associated with the sport, including sponsors and merchandise retailers, may experience fluctuations in performance based on the team's success or failure.
Geopolitical Context
Although the crisis is primarily a sports issue, it exists within a larger context of national pride and identity, particularly as international competitions loom. The performance of national teams can have symbolic significance, impacting public morale and national sentiment.
Use of AI in Reporting
There is a possibility that AI tools have aided in the generation of this report, ensuring clarity and coherence. However, the narrative seems to reflect human editorial choices, particularly in emphasizing player performances and coaching decisions, which are nuanced aspects of sports journalism.
The article serves as a crucial update on the Scottish national team's preparations and challenges, focusing on how injuries have reshaped the squad. The reliability of this information seems high, given the direct references to player conditions and coaching comments. However, the framing of events may evoke specific emotional responses, indicating a potential bias toward highlighting the crisis.