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HOLDING FIRE

Angus Gunn: Scotland boss Alex McLeish talking to Southampton keeper’s father, Bryan, over international allegiance

Gunn is yet to decide whether to pledge his allegiance to England or to Scotland whom his dad represented six times

Scotland manager Alex McLeish has revealed he is in constant dialogue with Angus Gunn's father over the Southampton goalkeeper's international allegiance.

McLeish is focusing on the goalkeepers available to him as things stand, as he ponders his new number one following Allan McGregor's sudden international retirement.

 Alex McLeish is pondering over who to make his Scotland number one
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Alex McLeish is pondering over who to make his Scotland number oneCredit: getty

Celtic's first-choice keeper Scott Bain, Millwall's Jordan Archer and Sunderland's Jon McLaughlin are in the squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and San Marino later this month.

However, Gunn remains on Scotland's radar and McLeish has a strong connection to the former Manchester City trainee through his father, Bryan.

Gunn senior played with McLeish at Aberdeen before travelling south to Norwich after failing to dislodge Jim Leighton, who helped the Dons to European glory in Gothenburg in 1983.

Gunn junior, 23, has featured for England Under-21s and has made 10 appearances for Southampton since his big-money summer switch, so playing for the land of his birth appears to be his priority.

 Angus Gunn, son of Bryan, has yet to make a decision on his international future
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Angus Gunn, son of Bryan, has yet to make a decision on his international future

McLeish said: "I've been in constant dialogue with big Bryan Gunn for over a year, one of the Gothenburg guys.

"We have a Gothenburg group and the other players tease him about it, then I have to send a private (message) saying 'Does Angus want to play for Scotland?'

"But I don't really want to talk about guys who are not available to us at the moment, and get right behind the three goalkeepers we have, who are all terrific players.

 Gunn Sr played six times for Scotland and has been in constant dialogue with McLeish about his son, Angus
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Gunn Sr played six times for Scotland and has been in constant dialogue with McLeish about his son, Angus

"There would be no guarantee Angus would walk into the number one spot.

"He is still going through a maturity process, being at Norwich on loan from Man City and then getting a fantastic move. That must have empowered him.

"He would think he can now rise to a different level, but our three goalies have been playing regularly, and playing to a very good standard."

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