Scotland’s Angus Gunn keen to find right club to give him World Cup launchpad

Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn is eager to find the right club to help provide him with a launchpad towards next summer’s World Cup finals.

The 29-year-old, who was Steve Clarke’s number one at Euro 2024, is currently a free agent after Norwich opted not to extend his four-year stint at Carrow Road.

Gunn is weighing up his options for the season ahead and he knows the importance of making the right decision about his future given that Scotland will be aiming to qualify for the World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada in just over a year.

“Obviously, the transfer window has just opened, so that’s just started,” he said, speaking at a media conference after joining up with the Scotland squad for the friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein. “There are a few conversations happening, but I don’t want to rush into anything.

“First and foremost, I want to come away and focus on this camp first. Then, I think after that, decisions will be made.

“Obviously, it’s definitely a big factor that there’s a qualifying campaign coming up for the World Cup in America. That’s definitely a big focus for me. It’s something that will be in the back of my mind when I make the decision. That’s definitely in my thinking.

“There’s a lot of factors. Obviously, I’m a bit older now, a bit more experienced and I know the game. I’ve got a young family as well and I want to look after them.

“At the same time, I’ve got aspirations in my career and the World Cup is definitely one of them. To reach that would definitely be the pinnacle.”

Gunn expressed sadness last month over the nature of his Norwich departure, but he insisted he is now looking ahead with excitement.

“Yes, I’m over it,” he said. “It was something that I felt personally they could have handled better. But ultimately, I think the decision was probably the right one from both sides for me to move on and go somewhere else in my career. I’m really excited for it.”

Gunn was number one throughout the Euro 2024 campaign before a minor injury sustained in October paved the way for 42-year-old Craig Gordon to reclaim the gloves for the last six Scotland matches. The Hearts keeper picked up an injury himself towards the end of the season, meaning Gunn – whose last cap came in September – has a chance to re-establish himself.

“Last season I had a few injuries which kept me out of the squad, so that was frustrating,” he said. “Obviously it’s good to see Craig back playing at Hearts. He picked the injury up in the last part of the season, but he had a good spell in the team. Things change quickly in football, so you never really know. Hopefully I can get the two caps this week and keep moving forward.”

Gordon recently extended his contract with Hearts and looks set to continue vying with Gunn for the gloves as he approaches his 43rd birthday.

“It’s unbelievable really,” he said of his rival’s longevity. “You don’t see many players going that long. It’s testament to him and how he’s looked after himself and how much hunger he’s got to carry on because as you’re getting older, the body’s going to feel it.

“For him to still have that hunger to keep going, hopefully I’ve got that in my head going into the latter part of my career.”