ALAN ROUGH reckons it’s about time St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark was handed a Scotland call-up by Steve Clarke – as current first pick David Marshall is lacking game time this term.

The national team manager was in attendance at Sunday's 1-1 draw between Motherwell and St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, and is believed to be keeping a close eye on the respective goalkeepers Liam Kelly and Clark.

The two young goalies are at the forefront of the next generation of Scotland internationalists – but former Scotland and Partick Thistle keeper Rough reckons there is a clear front runner for the No.1 jersey.

“I think it was interesting that Steven Clarke was at that game at the weekend to see two inform goalkeepers,” said Rough, speaking at the launch of Thistle's programme of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of their famous Scottish League Cup victory. “I think we have the best group of keepers we have had for a long time but a few of them will soon move on.

“This is now the time to introduce someone to let them get a feel of the camp.

“I think both Kelly and Clark have done enough to get a call-up.

“I would say Clark is probably just in the driving seat. I thought he was tremendous last season and he has started off the same way this season.

“I know [Jon] McLaughlin has never let anyone down but if I was Clark, I would be really upset at not being the third-choice keeper.

“Given the age of him I really think we should now be looking to the future.”

With Marshall having slipped down the pecking order at Wayne Rooney’s Derby County and McLaughlin relegated to the role of first-choice back-up at Ibrox, Craig Gordon is the only goalkeeper involved in the international set-up to be playing regularly at club level this term.

Marshall was Clarke’s first choice for this summer’s European Championships – the first tournament Scotland had reached in 23 years – but given his lack of game time in the English Championship, Rough reckons Gordon may have pipped him in the pecking order for the national team – adding that Celtic supporters may be missing their former shot-stopper.

“If Marshall is not playing at Derby then I don't think he would expect to start the next qualifiers,” Rough explained. “And as a keeper you have to be playing at a high level.

“I think the goalkeeping coach will judge how sharp he is in training but there is no substitute for playing.

“When you move into the international scene you need to move up another level. Marshall is the man in charge and if he is playing then he will start. If that is not the case then I would have no fears about Craig going in. He is top notch.

“I think the Celtic supporters are still scratching their head at how and why he left. It was a shock to everyone and even more given what has happened since then.

“He has moved to Hearts and he has continued his great form.

“Joe [Hart] has still to establish himself in the Celtic team. He is a quality keeper with 75 caps for England. A lot of people would still be wondering why Craig didn’t stay.”

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