Gunn is adamant the rest last season has him better equipped than he was for Euro 2024
Scotland’s Angus Gunn(Image: SNS Group)
As a keeper, it’s no surprise that Angus Gunn doesn’t like when goalposts are moved.
But that’s what it felt like for the Scotland goalkeeper after he signed for Nottingham Forest last summer.
On the face of it, the move was perfect.
A chance to join a Premier League club from Norwich City as back-up goalie to Belgian international Mats Selz.
An opportunity to challenge a top stopper at the highest level in England.
If anything, Gunn probably felt the switch would enhance his international credentials.
But on deadline day, February 1, the rug was pulled from underneath his boots.
Forest decided to bring in experienced keeper Stefan Ortega from Manchester City, which effectively bumped Gunn down the pecking order at the City Ground.
It was a body blow for the 30-year-old who was Scotland’s first choice between the sticks at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Suddenly, he was facing up to a season of no football, kicking his heels on the sidelines.
And at the same time, worrying about his place in Steve Clarke’s team.
Last term, he played five games for Scotland – and just one for his club, a 45-minute appearance in a Premier League draw with Crystal Palace when Selz got injured.
Gunn tried to engineer a move out of Nottingham in January but it didn’t materialise.
By that stage, his rival Craig Gordon was back in goal for Scotland.
Gunn admits it hasn’t been the ideal preparation for a World Cup battle with the Hearts veteran for the number one jersey – a shirt he’s been handed in the official squad list.
But he believes his lack of action might actually be a GOOD thing, as he’s arriving fit and fresh for the tournament in America.
Angus Gunn of Nottingham Forest(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
As Gunn reflected on signing for Forest a year ago, he said: “There were a lot of things to weigh up last summer.
“I had a few options, mainly abroad in Europe. But I’ve got a young family so I had to think about everyone, not just myself.
“I wouldn’t say I had assurances but the word from the club was that I’d be on the bench, challenging and playing in cup games.
“But the goalposts changed quite quickly at the close of the transfer window when they signed someone else.
“That was tough to take. Not being able to get out in January – which they were open to until there were a few injuries – kind of moved the goalposts again.
“Again, that was quite difficult to take.
“At the end of the day, I made the decision and luckily for me, it was only a one year contract.
“Now, I can look forward to the next step in my career. And I’m here at a World Cup.
“It was definitely a concern for me (not playing at Forest). Everyone wants to play football and I pushed hard in January to get out.
“After that, I had to refocus again and make sure I was in top shape whenever I got the chance to play.
“Ideally, you’d like to play more regularly throughout the season.
“I managed to get a B-team game in the week before coming away here. That helped me a lot.
“Before the Euros, I went in after playing 50-odd games in that season.
“I might have been physically and mentally fatigued. This time it is a different situation.
“So you can take both sides of it and I’m looking at the positive side. “I’ve been training full pelt at the club all year and physically I feel in great shape.
“Coming away here and getting acclimatised has been good. I’m ready to go.”
Whether that will help Gunn enough to give him the nod from Clarke for Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti is still anyone’s guess.
With both of our keepers lacking game-time at club level, it’s a genuinely difficult call for the manager to make.
Gunn started the qualifying campaign, playing in our first four games, before Gordon finished it.
And irrespective of who starts in Boston on June 14, the respect Gunn has for Gordon and what he’s doing at 43 years of age knows no bounds.
(Image: Getty Images)
When it was put to him that by using his mate as a barometer, he might still have 15 years left at the top, Gunn said: “100 percent!
“But looking at what he’s doing at his age, I don’t know if it would be possible for me – or many other players – to do that. Fair dos to him.
“He’s in incredible shape and looks great in training.
“If I’ve got that much left in my career I’ll be pretty happy.
“Will I still be going at 43? My honest opinion? Probably not. But if I am, I’ll be doing something right.
“The way he must have looked after himself throughout his career, it’s paying off now.”
With Gunn handed the number one shirt by Clarke for the tournament, is that an indication that he’s in pole position to start?
He said: “I don’t think so. Obviously as a goalkeeper that is the number you want but before the first game, it’s all to play for.
“We obviously have one more game next Saturday (against Bolivia) then the big game against Haiti.
“We all want the best for our team and whoever plays, we’ll be pushing each other.”
Gunn’s dad – and ex-Scotland keeper Bryan – is still his mentor and famously enjoyed himself in Germany two years ago at the Euros.
He’d love to make his old man proud again by featuring at a World Cup after Gunn Snr was in the Italia 90 squad but didn’t get a game.
Angus hopes it becomes a family affair again in the US, with his son Ocie Scotland’s lucky mascot.
Bryan Gunn with his son Angus
He said: “It would be huge (to play at a World Cup). As a kid you grow up watching it and it’s the pinnacle of any player’s career.
“At the Euros, my dad had a great time. As a proud Scotsman, he’s loved the way my career has gone and the opportunities I’ve had.
“He’s very proud and it’s not just him. My wife came to all the away games in the qualifying campaign.
“She brought our little boy and he was a lucky charm in the end. He came to his first game in Denmark and I got a clean sheet so I’ve told her he needs to come to every game now.
“There will be a couple of late nights for him in Boston.”