Scotland boss Steve Clarke says he feels for Blues keeper Cieran Slicker following his difficult full international debut in the 3-1 defeat to Iceland at Hampden Park and admitted that the 22-year-old may have been thrown into a situation he wasn’t ready for.

Slicker came off the bench in the seventh minute, replacing former Norwich man Angus Gunn, who had suffered a knock.

The former Manchester City youngster, who played only nine minutes for the Blues during the season as a late sub in the 3-0 FA Cup victory over Bristol Rovers with the game already well won, had been Scotland’s third-choice keeper on the night but second string, Kilmarnock’s Robby McCrorie, picked up an injury in the warm-up.

“It was disappointing,” Clarke told BBC Radio Scotland. “The night didn't get off to a good start. 

“It’s difficult for Cieran. I feel for him, I really feel for him. He got thrown into a situation where perhaps he wasn't quite ready for it.

“But Craig [Gordon]’s injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark was injured.

“I mentioned back in March that it was something I thought might come back to bite us. The only good thing is it came in a friendly match.”

Clarke, who expects Gunn to be unavailable for the friendly against Liechtenstein in Vaduz on Monday, has already added another keeper, 18-year-old Callan McKenna, who joined Bournemouth from Queen’s Park last February, and is hoping to draft another more senior glovesman.

“I've had young Callan McKenna with us,” he added. “Callan will travel, and hopefully we’ll find another somewhere in Scotland who’s not on holiday.”

However, Slicker could well start with Clarke set to talk to the Town number three and assess him ahead of the match.

“We’ll see how he reacts, how he is overnight, how he is in training on Saturday or Sunday, before we travel and make a decision from there,” Clarke continued.

Quizzed on how he might lift Slicker, he said: “Just by reassurance, that he probably went in when it was too early. He wasn’t quite ready for it. That’s not his fault. That’s the circumstances that dictated that.

“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. Like I said, probably an opportunity that came a little bit too early for him but we’ll be there to support him and help him.”

Photo: REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

trevski_s added 01:35 - Jun 7 Unlucky for Slicker and hopefully he won't feel to down about as would have been great experience for him. Hopefully he gets a chance against Liechtenstein as that game would be entirely different from Iceland and might be able to prepare for it more knowing he could be first choice instead of having to come off the bench and potentially not be quite as ready (game or mentally). I look forward to seeing how he continues

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Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 03:29 - Jun 7 Strange the lad wasn't ready considering he hasn't played a single league match of professional football at any level.
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victorysquad added 07:04 - Jun 7 Crazy decision, get the lad out on loan
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WestSussexBlue added 08:12 - Jun 7 As the keeper on the bench, there’s always a chance you’re likely to be called upon. If Clarke didn’t think he was up to it why was he the Second Choice? Sounds like a gamble that didn’t pay off.
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philpott2 added 08:40 - Jun 7 WestSussexBlue......the article says the second choice keeper (i.e. the sub due to sit on the bench) was injured in the warmup, hence 3rd choice Slicker ended up being involved, and on the pitch when Gunn was injured. He did look pretty unconvincing with what I saw of the game, sadly, very much like Muric in many games this past season....casual, a bit slow to react to everything and almost spaced out.....interesting that both of them were at Man City.

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bluebullet29l added 11:45 - Jun 7 He's a professional footballer....why would he not be ready..he's not 12 years old for gods sake...what a ridiculous statement to make.
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scottish_williee21 added 12:25 - Jun 7 @bluebullet29l Sorry but I disagree, he isn’t ready. I’m not knocking the lad cause he’s living every lads dream, being a professional footballer. However there are levels, he’s not ready to play at an international level. I don’t understand why he is in the squad, he’s pretty much not played a single game this season, and he is our 4th choice goalkeeper. I understand it would be a good experience for him, but at that level you should be picked on form. Being thrown on like that will only knock his confidence surly? Saying all that there is another 10 players on the park the blame can’t all be reflected on him. I’m sure he will bounce back!

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slade1 added 12:41 - Jun 7 scottish willie. You have it spot on there 100%
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blues1 added 14:59 - Jun 7 Scottish Willie. Hes in the squad bcse Scotland have got very few keepers available to them right now, due to injuries. So he is one of the only 3 Clarke had to choose from for this game. Thats why hes now brought another youngster into the squad and is hoping he can find another keeper who's not on holiday right now.
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Marinersnose added 17:59 - Jun 7 Those questioning the fact of whether Slicker was or should’ve been ready should be looking at the obvious issue that he hasn’t played a competitive football match for a very long time. Clarke selected him but it’s massive ask to step into the international arena having not played football. Why Ipswich signed him I don’t know as he was a promising young keeper from Man City who has be left in the background. Frankly if he can’t get in ahead of Muric and Walton then he may look to move on. I feel sorry for the lad as he hasn’t been given a chance at Ipswich and therefore confidence has to be low.

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Linkboy13 added 18:22 - Jun 7 A lot of Town fans rate him highly don't know on what grounds he hasn't played surely any player with a genuine love of the game would want to play playing. Be amazed if he doesn't go out on loan next season
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