Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn faces scrutiny after Switzerland defeat

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn faces scrutiny after Tuesday’s 3-0 Nations League defeat by Switzerland at Hampden in Glasgow. BBC Sport questioned whether he could have prevented two of the goals, but head coach Sébastien Pocognoli has not confirmed a change before Saturday’s away match against North Macedonia.

Jack Hendry’s early dismissal shaped the match before Gunn had much chance to settle. A video review changed an initial penalty award to a free-kick just outside the box and upgraded Hendry’s yellow card to a red. Ricardo Rodríguez scored from the resulting free-kick in the 12th minute. Nico Elvedi added a second in the 55th and Zeki Amdouni made it 3-0 in the 82nd, according to the Scottish FA’s match report.

Why Angus Gunn’s performance is under scrutiny

BBC Sport Scotland reporter Andy Burke described Gunn as arguably at fault for Rodríguez’s opener and Amdouni’s late strike. That assessment concerns the goalkeeper’s part in those goals; it is not a statement from Pocognoli about his next team selection. Switzerland also played most of the match with an extra man after Hendry’s dismissal.

Sportsound pundit Andy Halliday told the BBC he wanted more from Gunn. Discussing Rodríguez’s free-kick, Halliday said the shot was at shoulder height and lacked pace, calling Gunn’s response poor. Former Scotland forward James McFadden questioned the third goal too: he acknowledged Amdouni’s shot was powerful but said Gunn could have kept it out.

Gunn told reporters after the game that he was always disappointed to concede and would review the goals to see where he could improve. On the free-kick, he said the attempt came from close range and that he saw it late. He said he would look back at the goal and try to improve for the next match, according to the BBC.

What Sébastien Pocognoli said after the defeat

Pocognoli’s public comments reported by Sky Sports concentrated on the match and Scotland’s response. He called his first home game in charge a sad occasion because the team could not give the crowd the performance it wanted. He said playing roughly 80 per cent of the contest with 10 men, then conceding immediately from the free-kick, left Scotland in an especially difficult position.

The coach said the players stuck together and tried to find openings through transitions or set pieces, while Switzerland gave little away. He stressed the importance of a result against North Macedonia to lift those working with the squad. In those reported comments, he did not say whether Gunn would keep his place or whether another goalkeeper would start.

Gunn, meanwhile, told Sky Sports there was no blame game in the dressing room after Hendry tried to apologise for his dismissal. He said the squad would stick together and needed to react in its next fixture. His account addresses the team’s response to the defeat, rather than settling the question of who will start in goal.

Scotland’s goalkeeping options and next fixtures

Gunn started against Switzerland, while Liam Kelly and Scott Bain were unused substitutes, the Scottish FA’s team sheet shows. BBC Sport reported that Gunn had started all three of Scotland’s World Cup matches and described the wider question over competition for the number-one position. The availability of alternatives does not amount to a confirmed change for the North Macedonia game.

Pocognoli had already changed three starters from the side that drew 0-0 in Slovenia: Stephen Welsh, Aaron Hickey and Robbie Ure made way for Kieron Bowie, Nathan Patterson and debutant Luis Binks. Those were changes to the outfield lineup, while Gunn remained in goal against Switzerland. Scotland have one point and no goals from their first two Nations League matches, according to Sky Sports.

Scotland visit North Macedonia on Saturday, 3 October, before hosting Slovenia on Tuesday, 6 October. Sky Sports lists both kick-offs for 7:45pm. Until Pocognoli names his next team or comments directly on the position, criticism of Gunn’s performance and a decision to replace him remain separate matters.