'Scotland's best-ever goalkeeper trio', says Andy Goram

Interview - Andy Goram

Former international number one Andy Goram believes Scotland have never had a better group of goalkeepers.

Manager Gordon Strachan this week suggested that Craig Gordon, David Marshall and Allan McGregor form the best "three" in international football.

And Goram suggested to BBC Scotland: "This is the best group of goalkeepers that Scotland have ever had.

"And I include Jim Leighton, Alan Rough and myself when we were a three."

Andy Goram on David Marshall. Age: 30 Height: 6ft 3in Club: Cardiff City Caps: 16

"He's in command now. Gordon Strachan made a big decision to keep Marshall in the team and he's done nothing wrong.

"You can't get back in the team until he starts making mistakes.

"He's playing at a good level and every week making saves to keep his team in it."

Strachan admits he has a selection problem for the 25 March friendly against Northern Ireland and the European Championship qualifying games that follow.

Goram, who won 43 Scotland caps, believes the national coach will stick with Marshall as his first choice.

That is despite the 30-year-old playing in the second tier in England with Cardiff City and Gordon being in fine form.

The Celtic goalkeeper has impressed in the Champions League and domestically after two years out of the game through injury, while McGregor is back as Hull City's first choice in England's top flight after his own return to fitness.

SNS

Craig Gordon, Allan McGregor and David Marshall are in the current Scotland squad

"Gordon Strachan's made his decision, he's made his bed there," said Goram, who made most of his club appearances with Oldham Athletic, Hibernian, Rangers and Motherwell and also had a brief spell with Manchester United.

"Marshall's in pole position and he's done nothing wrong.

"Allan McGregor didn't make any mistakes but got injured, so basically you've got a keeper there who is number one that's not playing just because of injury.

Andy Goram on Allan McGregor

Age: 33 Height: 6ft Club: Hull City Caps: 32

"McGregor's got that 'get off your seat save' - he makes a save where you think 'where did he get that from?'.

"He makes the saves he's supposed to make and he's been playing well.

"He doesn't make too many mistakes, which is a given for McGregor.

"I think the world of him. I had him at Ibrox as a young kid - he was 15 when he came training with us.

"We had him with the first team when Alan Hodgkinson was the goalkeeping coach. I said to Alan then, 'this boy's got something' and he's proved that right. He's just a fantastic kid."

"Craig Gordon, out of the three of them, is the one to pick if you are going to pick from present form. I think he's been absolutely terrific."

Goram, who is presently goalkeeper coach with Clyde, believes any of the trio would do Scotland proud.

"The three of them are at the peak of their form," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "They are at a good age.

"When you look around Europe, I don't think there too many international teams that have a better three.

"They'll have a better individual, but the back-up? I don't think there's many countries with a better three than this."

Andy Goram on Craig Gordon. Age: 32 Height: 6ft 4in Club: Celtic Caps: 41

"To come back after two years off with a bad injury when it looked like he was going to retire to perform at the level he is performing at right now is incredible.

"I take my hat off to him. I have all the respect in the world for him.

"The level of performance he has put in with Celtic is absolutely terrific.

"He's at the peak of his game after a long lay-off, so you've got to tip your hat to him and he's making saves probably every week to keep Celtic in the game.

"He is one of these guys who just goes about his job and he's another one who can has that 'get off the seat save' in his locker."

All three were chosen in Strachan's 26-player squad for the visit by the Northern Irish and Group D minnows Gibraltar four days later.

The manager said: "I have dilemmas up front, dilemmas in midfield, but that is probably as strong a goalkeeping three in international football.

"At times, we have had two goalkeepers who have vied against each other and who have been very good. It is not often you get three."

Asked if Marshall remained the man in possession, Strachan replied: "You'll find out later on. There's no games this week. There's a game next week."

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