Time for Sebastien Pocognoli to pick – who could be named in new-look Scotland squad?

A problem area for the latter years of Clarke’s reign will remain a problem area in the early Pocognoli days.

Angus Gunn started between the sticks at the World Cup and, though he has found more regular football in the States since joining San Jose Earthquakes, he has conceded a rather alarming 21 goals in nine Major League Soccer games – though he did make four decent stops in San Jose’s win on Thursday.

He was joined at the major tournament by Craig Gordon – who has since retired from football – and Liam Kelly, who has not featured since Derek McInnes took over at Rangers in the summer, suggesting there could be two goalkeeping spots up for grabs in this squad.

Scott Bain could have felt a little hard done by not making the trip across the pond in June, given he was playing regular Scottish Premiership football with Falkirk and picked up his fourth cap against Ivory Coast in April.

He’s made a steady start to his season – recovering from an error against Celtic to pulling off a string of impressive saves against Dundee United – with his Bairns boss John McGlynn recently tipping him to start for Scotland later this month.

Liam McFarlane may not be challenging him for a starting berth, but the 21-year-old must be well-placed for a call-up as the third-choice shotstopper.

Since joining Partick Thistle in the summer on loan from Hearts – after being stateside as the training goalkeeper in Clarke’s World Cup squad – he has conceded just one goal in five Championship games and is well thought of by both club and country.

Given the sticky situation the Scots have found themselves in this department in recent times, surely including the youngster sooner rather than later with a look to the future is a step in the right direction.