Latest news with #Slicker
The National
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Iceland keeper tells Scotland rookie how to bounce back from errors
The 22-year-old wasn't even meant to be number two to Angus Gunn, but Robby McCrorie's warm-up knock, combined with Gunn's injury six minutes in against Iceland, meant the rookie was thrust in for his senior international bow. And it is difficult to think of many other Scotland debuts that have gone worse. Read more: Seconds after coming on, Slicker gave the ball away while playing out from the back. It eventually came to Andri Gudjohnsen, who curved it into the top corner for Iceland's opener. The stopper then could, and probably should, have done better for the visitors' second and third goals. Elias Olafsson, who watched his fellow keeper's nightmarish evening from between the Iceland sticks, couldn't hide his solace. "It's always tough, especially when you come into the game cold off the bench," he said. "Then, when you come in and make some mistakes, it's hard to get back into the game. I feel empathy for him. "It's not the preparation you want for your debut, to not know you're coming in this early in the game as well. It's difficult. To come into the game and know you're going to play, that's 100% the best thing, in my opinion. It's just about now to go to the hotel, forget about this and move on. "It's not going to be the most fun of nights, but it's about keeping your head up. That's how it is. People see the mistakes. You have to be strong mentally for that. Of course, you hope you make them in training, not in the games. But you can't always. It was not his day today. That's how it is. It was a hard game to come into. I feel it's hard making any debut, coming in when you don't expect to come in. That's how it is when you're a goalkeeper. It's a lonely position, it really is. You can either be a hero or nothing." Friday marked Olafsson's seventh appearance for his country. He plays his football for Danish top-flight outfit FC Midtjylland, and has done so since 2018. Prior to his Hampden visit, the 25-year-old had only won two games when starting for Iceland, both of which came against Liechtenstein, the nation currently ranked 204th in the world by FIFA. The rarity of a victory, therefore, made his trip to Glasgow's southside all the sweeter, even though he expected more from Scotland. "It's a really big one [win], especially with the new things we're trying to build. It worked out pretty well. Apart from the last 20 minutes, where we fell back a little bit trying to keep the ball a little bit, it went well. "It was really nice to play in front of the Scottish fans as well. It was a nice experience. Coming into the game, I felt like we were going to be under more pressure. I think we handled it well, their pressure. We could play out of it. It's nice to be a part of a win and feel like you brought something to the team. It's a fantastic feeling." Part of Olafsson's sympathy for Slicker comes from the fact that he himself once made a high-profile error, albeit not for his country. When Midtjylland travelled to face FCSB in Europa League action last season, he gave the ball straight to the feet of Daniel Birligea almost immediately after the second-half restart. His team lost the game 2-0, yet that's life as a goalkeeper. "I had one [error] in a Europa League game. It's a pretty big mistake from kick-off, but that's how it is. You just have to be honest. It's a mistake by you. 'You just have to be honest and forget about it. It's a part of the game. When we make mistakes, it's very obvious — it leads to a goal. It's a bit of a different position to the outfield players." Next up for Iceland after their eye-catching Scotland victory is another friendly, this time across the water against Northern Ireland in Belfast. Azerbaijan, France and Ukraine then stand in their way of making it to what would only be a second World Cup next year. While an arduous qualifying campaign lies ahead, Olafsson relishes the international scene and the refreshing dynamic it provides in comparison to club football. "It's a different game. It's a little bit like European football. If you make mistakes, you get it in the face. It's a different kind of football from the club level." Slicker will undoubtedly have been down in the dumps after Friday. He had only played one senior match in the entirety of the recent 2024/25 campaign, and it showed. The stopper didn't look sharp, yet going forward, things can surely only improve. His teammates will rally around him, even if Olafsson didn't get the chance to express his sympathy in person. "No," he replied when asked if he spoke to Slicker post-match. "Unfortunately, I was too high. It's a big night for me as well. It's a nice feeling." Scotland travel to Liechtenstein on Monday for the final game before their World Cup qualification quest commences. Whether Clarke will rotate his team after the Iceland loss remains to be seen, although one thing is for sure: victory is a must, or the mood music surrounding the national team will enter into a state of crisis, if it isn't already.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I had to console Cieran Slicker after Scotland debut – I know he has the character to bounce back from Iceland nightmare
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LENNON MILLER put aside his pride at making his Scotland debut to console Cieran Slicker after his Hampden nightmare. Motherwell teenager Miller was thrown on in the 68th minute of Friday night's dismal 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland. 2 Lennon Miller was handed his Scotland bow against Iceland Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Cieran Slicker had a debut to forget a Hampden Credit: PA It marked another milestone in a career as he won his first Scotland cap at 18 after making his Well first-team debut at 16. The midfielder, who is expected to make a big-money move this summer, did well despite the grim scoreline. But for sub keeper Slicker, it was the most traumatic match of his career as the debutant was atrocious at all three goals. Miller, though, has no doubt about his strength of character to respond if he's called on to face Liechtenstein tomorrow. He said: 'It was Cieran's first cap, too, a proud moment, although of course you don't want to concede three goals. 'But there are experienced players in there who will get right behind him, plus others like myself who have been with Cieran in a few camps now and who will support him. 'He's a good goalkeeper, he showed that all week in training. He just needs to get his head up.' Slicker was thrown in after only seven minutes for the crocked Angus Gunn. Yet within less than 50 seconds, the rookie, 22, was picking the ball out of his net following a poor clearance. For a distraught Slicker, who played just nine minutes of first-team football for Ipswich Town last season in an FA Cup tie, it wouldn't get any better. Scotland fans need to STOP booing Steve Clarke and his players says Kris Boyd He failed to block the ball on his line after it ricocheted off Lewis Ferguson as Iceland netted a second before the break. Shell-shocked Slicker had the opportunity to reset at the break. Instead, he allowed a Victor Palsson header that was straight at him to go through his arms and into the net to complete a hat-trick of gaffes. Slicker cut an utterly dejected figure walking off at full-time. But he's still needed by boss Steve Clarke for tomorrow's game in Vaduz after Kilmarnock No 1 Robby McCrorie suffered an injury in Friday's warm-up. Bournemouth rookie Callan McKenna, 18, is the only other fit keeper in the squad, prompting a call-up last night for Celtic-bound Ross Doohan. Miller added: 'I've played with Cieran three or four times for the Under-21s. He's made a few mistakes, but that's just the life of a goalie. You're going to make mistakes that will be highlighted. 'But he will bounce back. He has a brilliant mentality. All goalies need to have that. 'Cieran will be fine. He will be back stronger. How they rated Angus Gunn - Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1 Max Johnston - Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn't make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6 John Souttar - Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston's wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5 Grant Hanley - Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker's poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4 Kieran Tierney - 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson's runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5 Andy Robertson - Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland's defence out of this rot. 5 John McGinn - Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5 Billy Gilmour - Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5 Lewis Ferguson - Didn't know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5 Scott McTominay - Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5 George Hirst - Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he's got some promise. 6 Subs: Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) - Debut didn't go to plan, that's for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2 Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) - First cap. 3 Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) - Shored it up a bit late on. 3 Che Adams (Hirst 67) - No chances. 3 Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) - Replaced Johnston. 2 Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) - On for McTominay. 2 'He's not gone out there and chucked three goals in. It's just mistakes. 'These things happen. It just gets noticed more as a goalie. 'I've had loads of those experiences myself, but as a midfielder you get away with it because it's not as obvious. 'But Cieran will be fine. He will bounce back.' Miller had his family, including former Scotland striker dad Lee, at Hampden to see him take the field against Iceland. Now Scotland's Young Player of the Year is desperate for a second cap against Liechtenstein and the opportunity to further highlight his potential. Miller has played 76 games for Motherwell since a 2022 debut as a sub in a League Cup tie against Inverness Caley Thistle. He has a year left on his Well contract but is expected to move on for a bargain £4million fee, with clubs across Britain and Europe trailing him. Miller said: 'It's obviously a very proud moment, not just for me but my family as well. They were in the stand. Lennon Miller is now too good for Rangers & Celtic and will move to bigger club says Kris Boyd 'It's never nice to make your debut in those circumstances, you want to be winning the game. 'We know we weren't good enough. But, personally, it's a proud moment. 'My game is about trying to get on the ball. No matter what the score is, no matter what the occasion is, I want to get on the ball and show what I can do. 'I had a few nice touches but also a few while trying to get used to the level that got cut out. 'You want to get your first cap, then you want to get a second as quickly as you can. That'll be the plan, to maybe get a start. 'The manager has said just to get on the ball and show what I can do. What I do at Motherwell is why I'm here. 'You want to play no matter when you get called up. 'Last time was about trying to take everything in and take that back to Motherwell to try and win another call-up and get here to make my debut. Thankfully, I did that.' Miller, with the Steelmen since he was seven and a star for Scotland Under-16s at 14, added: 'This is probably right up with the best things you can achieve as a player, representing your country at the highest level. 'I've done that now. Hopefully there's a few more.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Iceland keeper tells Scotland rookie how to bounce back from errors
And it is difficult to think of many other Scotland debuts that have gone worse. Read more: Seconds after coming on, Slicker gave the ball away while playing out from the back. It eventually came to Andri Gudjohnsen, who curved it into the top corner for Iceland's opener. The stopper then could, and probably should, have done better for the visitors' second and third goals. Elias Olafsson, who watched his fellow keeper's nightmarish evening from between the Iceland sticks, couldn't hide his solace. "It's always tough, especially when you come into the game cold off the bench," he said. "Then, when you come in and make some mistakes, it's hard to get back into the game. I feel empathy for him. "It's not the preparation you want for your debut, to not know you're coming in this early in the game as well. It's difficult. To come into the game and know you're going to play, that's 100% the best thing, in my opinion. It's just about now to go to the hotel, forget about this and move on. "It's not going to be the most fun of nights, but it's about keeping your head up. That's how it is. People see the mistakes. You have to be strong mentally for that. Of course, you hope you make them in training, not in the games. But you can't always. It was not his day today. That's how it is. It was a hard game to come into. I feel it's hard making any debut, coming in when you don't expect to come in. That's how it is when you're a goalkeeper. It's a lonely position, it really is. You can either be a hero or nothing." Friday marked Olafsson's seventh appearance for his country. He plays his football for Danish top-flight outfit FC Midtjylland, and has done so since 2018. Prior to his Hampden visit, the 25-year-old had only won two games when starting for Iceland, both of which came against Liechtenstein, the nation currently ranked 204th in the world by FIFA. The rarity of a victory, therefore, made his trip to Glasgow's southside all the sweeter, even though he expected more from Scotland. "It's a really big one [win], especially with the new things we're trying to build. It worked out pretty well. Apart from the last 20 minutes, where we fell back a little bit trying to keep the ball a little bit, it went well. "It was really nice to play in front of the Scottish fans as well. It was a nice experience. Coming into the game, I felt like we were going to be under more pressure. I think we handled it well, their pressure. We could play out of it. It's nice to be a part of a win and feel like you brought something to the team. It's a fantastic feeling." Part of Olafsson's sympathy for Slicker comes from the fact that he himself once made a high-profile error, albeit not for his country. When Midtjylland travelled to face FCSB in Europa League action last season, he gave the ball straight to the feet of Daniel Birligea almost immediately after the second-half restart. His team lost the game 2-0, yet that's life as a goalkeeper. "I had one [error] in a Europa League game. It's a pretty big mistake from kick-off, but that's how it is. You just have to be honest. It's a mistake by you. 'You just have to be honest and forget about it. It's a part of the game. When we make mistakes, it's very obvious — it leads to a goal. It's a bit of a different position to the outfield players." Next up for Iceland after their eye-catching Scotland victory is another friendly, this time across the water against Northern Ireland in Belfast. Azerbaijan, France and Ukraine then stand in their way of making it to what would only be a second World Cup next year. While an arduous qualifying campaign lies ahead, Olafsson relishes the international scene and the refreshing dynamic it provides in comparison to club football. "It's a different game. It's a little bit like European football. If you make mistakes, you get it in the face. It's a different kind of football from the club level." Slicker will undoubtedly have been down in the dumps after Friday. He had only played one senior match in the entirety of the recent 2024/25 campaign, and it showed. The stopper didn't look sharp, yet going forward, things can surely only improve. His teammates will rally around him, even if Olafsson didn't get the chance to express his sympathy in person. "No," he replied when asked if he spoke to Slicker post-match. "Unfortunately, I was too high. It's a big night for me as well. It's a nice feeling." Scotland travel to Liechtenstein on Monday for the final game before their World Cup qualification quest commences. Whether Clarke will rotate his team after the Iceland loss remains to be seen, although one thing is for sure: victory is a must, or the mood music surrounding the national team will enter into a state of crisis, if it isn't already.
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Iceland boss admits they started deliberately targeting rookie Scotland goalkeeper Cieran Slicker
They had a plan for the substitute stopper - and it worked ICELAND boss Arnar Gunnlaugsson admits his team deliberately targeted rookie Scotland goalkeeper Cieran Slicker. The Ipswich Town stopper had a debut to forget at Hampden as the national team stumbled to a 3-1 loss. 2 Iceland manager Arnar Gunnlaugsson Credit: PA 2 It was a tough night in between the sticks for young Cieran Slicker Credit: PA Slicker, 22, came on as a sub for the injured Angus Gunn after seven minutes. Not even a minute later he was picking the ball out of the net. And it was his poor choice of pass that led to the opener. Indeed, Slicker didn't cover himself in glory at end of Iceland's three goals. And after the game, Iceland gaffer Gunnlaugsson told of how he made it clear to his players to target Slicker as soon as he entered the pitch. He demanded they press the young goalie and it proved effective from that very first instance, forcing the bad clearance that ended up with the ball in the net through Andri Gudjohnsen. Gunnlaugsson said: He said: 'It was an instruction to press him straight away. 'It's always difficult for a goalkeeper to come into a game when he's cold. 'It's especially difficult with his feet so it was an opportunity to give it a go.' Scotland boss Steve Clarke conceded that Slicker simply wasn't ready for his international bow. Tartan Army fan who walked to Germany embarking on new challenge for the World Cup Clarke was forced to throw him on for Gunn after No2 Robby McCrorie got crocked the warm-up. And Clarke said: 'It was a difficult night. 'It didn't get off to the best of starts when we lost our number two goalkeeper in the warm-up then two minutes into the game our number one gets injured as well. 'It was a tough night and I feel a little bit for young Cieran. 'I'll sit with him over the next couple of days and have a little chat about it. 'I'll give him reassurance because he probably went in when it was too early. 'He wasn't quite ready for it. That wasn't his fault. That's the circumstances that dictated that. 'We'll now try and support him as much as can. 'Listen, he'll get over it. 'Goalkeepers are a resilient bunch. 'His character is good in and around the squad. He's comfortable. 'This was probably just an opportunity that came a little bit too early for him. But we'll be there to support him and help him. 'Our options are not exactly jumping off the page at me. 'We will go away and see how he reacts, how he is overnight, how he is tomorrow and at training on Sunday. 'Listen, we could talk about might about Cieran and what happened for him, but it's a circumstance I pointed out in March. 'I could see something like this possibly happening. 'The only crumb of comfort to take from it is that it happened in a friendly match. 'And hopefully we can be better prepared when it comes to the autumn. 'It is pretty unusual to have your five first choice goalkeepers all injured. 'Not everyone plays regularly at their club. It is something we have to address and look at. 'But it is not going to change in a click of the fingers. 'It is more for the long term, and the next head coach and the next head coach after that.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
John Souttar accepts Scotland deserved Tartan Army booing as wagons circle around Cieran Slicker
The fans were lessed than impressed by yet another Hampden friendly defeat as Iceland ran out 3-1 winners over Steve Clarke's men Cieran Slicker must have felt like the loneliest man in the world when he walked off the Hampden pitch. He'd just earned his first Scotland cap against Iceland but the young keeper froze on the night. After replacing injured Angus Gunn after just six minutes, he was always going to be under pressure. And unfortunately for him and Steve Clarke, the 22-year-old Ipswich stopper buckled under it. Slicker was at fault for all three Iceland goals as the Scots suffered yet another friendly defeat. Goals from Andri Gudjohnsen, Victor Palsson and a Lewis Ferguson OG inflicted a painful loss. And by the end, you had to feel sorry for Scotland's kid keeper. But as he trudged out of the national stadium, he at least had the backing of his team-mates. John Souttar should have been talking about his second international goal after he pulled it back to 2-1 in the first half. But instead, the Rangers defender was invariably asked about Slicker and refused to put any of the blame on the goalie's shoulders. It's a team game, after all. And Souttar was honest enough to admit Scotland as a whole were nowhere near good enough. Even Clarke's best players failed to turn up for a warm-up game that did nothing to boost confidence before the World Cup qualifiers which kick off in September. Souttar insists they were ALL culpable, not just young Slicker. He said: 'I haven't spoken to Ciaran yet but tonight was a collective and everyone has to take responsibility. 'Will it be a learning experience for him? I'm sure it will be and everyone has had it in their career before. 'But the result is collective. I don't think any of us could say we were great in the game so it's on all of us tonight. 'We were poor. I don't think we did enough on the ball and we didn't create enough chances. 'Iceland kept the ball better than us and moved us about. 'Games like this at Hampden, we want to dominate, press high and get the crowd going. But tonight we didn't do that.' Maybe in Scotland we're guilty of reading too much into friendly games. But our record in these matches is abysmal. Clarke has been boss for 12 now - and won just two against Luxembourg and Gibraltar. Clarke's side looked jaded and as if they're desperate to be on a beach somewhere at the end of a long campaign. But Souttar was refusing to use tiredness as an excuse. Scotland were jeered off at half-time and full-time by the Tartan Army and the centre-back admits it was justified. He said: 'It's difficult because the boys have played all season but Iceland have been the same. Their players have been doing that too. 'We have to go into the game on Monday against Liechtenstein and get some momentum back ahead of the internationals in September. 'It's not great (the booing) and you don't want to be part of that. But the fans are great, they pay their money so they can boo if they want. 'We weren't good enough in the first half. It's not great to hear but it's part and parcel of football. But the fans are great when we win.' Scotland have now conceded six goals in their last two games - a 3-0 defeat at home to Greece in the Nations League play-off and last night's loss. Souttar prides himself on keeping the door shut at the back and that's why he's adamant it has to improve before Denmark away in September. Despite the ropey form, he's convinced that when the serious stuff begins in Copenhagen, Clarke's boys will be ready. He said: 'We went through a spell where we were keeping clean sheets and defending well towards the end of the last campaign. 'Even against Greece in the first game over there we defended well. But the last two games haven't been good enough and everyone is well aware of that. 'We need to be better, this was a friendly but it's important we put it right in September because that's the big one. 'I'm sure if we do that, there will be a much better atmosphere. 'You never want to go into a game wanting to lose, never. But if this time next year we are in a good position to go to a World Cup, then things will feel a lot better. 'The next few months are huge because the games are coming again in September. We need to get some momentum going again.'
