Scotland goalkeeper Cieran Slicker has debut to forget in home defeat to Iceland
Luckless home goalkeeper Angus Gunn sustained an injury in the third minute and eventually had to be replaced by the 22-year-old Ipswich stopper, minutes after which he conceded possession before Andri Gudjohnsen beat him with a terrific drive.
John Souttar levelled in the 25th minute from a corner but Slicker and his defenders struggled collectively when the visitors regained the lead from a corner, just before the break, with Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson putting through his own goal.
Slicker was again found wanting in the 52nd minute when he was beaten by a Victor Palsson header, which added the gloss for the visitors.
Iceland had lost all six of their previous meetings with Scotland but they deserved their first win.
Sturm Graz right-back Max Johnston and Ipswich forward George Hirst made their first starts in an otherwise experienced team with defender Kieran Tierney winning his 50th cap playing in a back five.
After a minute's applause to remember former Scottish FA president Jack McGinn, midfielder John McGinn's grandfather, who died last month aged 92, play started then soon stopped when Gunn – starting as Craig Gordon was injured – stayed on the ground after landing awkwardly.
After some treatment, the 29-year-old was replaced by Slicker, who endured a nightmare start.
His clearance was immediately returned to Gudjohnsen – son of former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur – and from 20 yards, he drove the ball high past Slicker.
Two more poor kicks from the keeper did nothing for confidence. In the 21st minute, good pressing from McGinn won him possession inside the Iceland penalty area but from his pinpoint cross, Hirst headed over from six yards.
Then after Slicker had gathered a drive from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson at the second attempt, the Hirst then tested Iceland goalkeeper Elias Olafsson with a drive which was tipped over the crossbar but from Johnston's corner, Souttar stooped to head in from six yards.
Scotland began to find some flow but when Albert Gundmundsson delivered a corner in the 44th minute, Slicker and his defenders failed to deal with it and the ball ricocheted off a couple of players before it came off Ferguson and over the line.
Boos rang around the stadium at half-time and there was more consternation after 52 minutes when Palsson's header from a Gudmundsson free-kick went through the hands of Slicker, with VAR confirming the goal after a suspicion of offside.
The Ipswich keeper was then sarcastically cheered by some of the Tartan Army after a comfortable collect.
At the other end, Hirst's effort from close range – it looked like the ball came off his shoulder following a Johnston cross – was brilliantly saved by Olafsson.
The Iceland keeper was beaten in the 63rd minute by Hirst after parrying a Scott McTominay shot, but the Napoli midfielder was ruled offside.
Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller came on to make his Scotland debut in the 68 minute, along with striker Che Adams and defender Scott McKenna, by which time the home side had gained the initiative.
Olafsson tipped McGinn's clever chip over the crossbar in the 88th minute but there was no late Scotland siege.
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As did 20,000 empty seats, although exorbitant ticket prices for a friendly match almost certainly played a role in the reduced attendance. Has Clarke taken Scotland as far as he can? Scotland fans are entitled to expect better from their team. The consequence of such worrying form is that serious questions are again being raised over the direction of travel under Clarke as he enters the seventh, and likely final year of his tenure. The long-serving head coach has brought some great times to Scotland. Qualifying for back-to-back Euros to end a 23-year wait for a major finals will be his proud legacy, regardless of the disappointments he has also endured. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, every manager has a shelf life and it feels like the 61-year-old is approaching the end of his. Some would argue it has already expired. That Clarke has taken Scotland as far as he can and that fresh ideas are required ahead of the 2026 World Cup bid. Scotland's Cieran Slicker at full time after the 3-1 defeat to Iceland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Social media has been awash with calls for the manager to be relieved of his duties over the past 48 hours. AI-generated pictures of Ange Postecoglou in a Scotland tie and blazer have also been circulated. The notion of Clarke being replaced by the ex-Tottenham and Celtic boss is a fanciful one. The Scottish FA, rightly or wrongly, will not be minded to deny Clarke the opportunity to see out the final year of his contract in spite of the wavering faith of the Tartan Army. But it is equally unlikely that Clarke will fulfil his dream of leading the nation to next year's tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico without a marked improvement in performances. Problems all over the pitch Solving the goalkeeper issue is an obvious priority. But providing Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly are fit again by September, then this will likely be resolved on its own, at least in the short term. It felt more like bad luck than bad judgement that Slicker ended up making his international debut having barely made a handful of senior appearances for Ipswich. The former Scotland Under-21 was in the squad to gain experience, rather than minutes on the park. A lesson for Clarke perhaps that he cannot afford to call up players who are not ready and able to play. One can only hope Slicker's career trajectory has not been fatally damaged by this unfortunate episode. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Where Clarke's problems run deeper is in his tactics, team selection and motivating his players. The return to a back five in a home friendly against Iceland felt like a major step back from the progress that had been made across the Nations League campaign where Scotland were a much more progressive and balanced outfit with a back four. The lacklustre and half-hearted efforts of the players at Hampden on Friday suggested they too were not particularly enamoured with being asked to reprise a system that was binned after being so badly exposed at Euro 2024. The infuriating sideways and backwards passing was a throwback to last summer's tournament where Scotland's stunted attack barely registered a shot on goal. This is football with the handbrake on. The persistence with Grant Hanley also continues to cause bemusement and frustration given the 33-year-old's lack of club action. Loyalty is an admirable trait that has served Clarke well, but it can also be a major flaw when younger, match-fit alternatives are consistently overlooked, particularly in a friendly, where Hanley, understandably, appeared laboured. Scott McKenna, after a season in La Liga competing against the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal, must be wondering what he has done wrong. The apparent obsession over accommodating both Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the starting line-up cannot be the sole determining factor when it comes to team set up. It would, though, take a brave call to decide which of the two is first choice left-back and leave the other one out, or as has been suggested, push one into left midfield. Scotland's George Hirst (centre) looks dejected after heading over the bar during the defeat to Iceland. 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Clarke gave George Hirst his chance against Iceland and, barring a poor miss with a first-half header, the Ipswich front man gave a decent account of himself, forcing two good saves from goalkeeper Elías Rafn Ólafsson and netting a goal which was ruled out for an offside against McTominay in the build-up. But it was another match which passed by without a Scotland striker hitting the target. It has been a year and counting since Lawrence Shankland headed the opener in the 2-2 draw with Finland. Has any team ever qualified for a World Cup without a striker finding the net?
