LOOKING OUT FOR No.1

Young keepers need experience to ensure future of national team is in safe hands

- BY FRASER WILSON

IT was an issue hovering on the horizon like a black cloud at the height of summer.

But when Cieran Slicker got his moment to shine at Hampden last week, only to drop the ball, suddenly the heavens opened on the future of Scottish goalkeeping.

Not so long ago the nation seemed saturated with quality No.1s. But suddenly a deluge of doubt has poured on the position.

With Angus Gunn breaking down injured two minutes into the Iceland game and joining Craig Gordon, Zander Clark, Liam Kelly and Robby McCrorie on the crock list, it was left to Slicker to step up.

Steve Clarke admitted it was a debut too soon for Ipswich's third choice pick. But what is the long-term future when 42-year-old Gordon finally calls it a day?

Graeme Smith is the man entrusted as much as anyone with overseeing the development of the next generation.

The SFA goalkeeper performance and coach education manager, to give Smith his full title, has the responsibility of nurturing the young talent up to the age of 21.

The ex-Rangers and Kilmarnock keeper certainly knows what top level looks like. His career coincided with the golden generation of Gordon, Allan McGregor and David Marshall.

But for that top triumvirate Smith might well have collected a cap or two.

He knows their secret was playing first-team football from an early age. And he says that's the key for the next generation.

Speaking exclusively to MailSport, Smith said: "I want to produce Scotland keepers for the future, that's the job I'm in.