If timing is everything, Scott Bain may just have played his way into the forefront of the new Scotland head coach's thinking. Sebastien Pocognoli will soon be announcing his first squad for the forthcoming Nations League games. With the retirement of Craig Gordon and the lack of recent first-team minutes for Angus Gunn and Liam Kelly - the other two World Cup squad goalkeepers - is Bain the obvious answer to Pocognoli's potential problem?
On the evidence of his display against Dundee United on Saturday - without which his side may well have been beaten given the number of chances United created - he'll be very unlucky not to be recalled to the international fold. Unsurprisingly, Bain's manager John McGlynn was happy to sing his praises. "I thought he was terrific," McGlynn said of the 34-year-old, who has earned four caps over the past eight years.
"If you're looking for a goalkeeper who can play from the back and still make saves and bring composure and calmness to your defence, then I think Scott ticks all the boxes. So I have no doubt that the manager will be looking at him." Stoppage-time concession denies Falkirk first win Latest Falkirk news, analysis and fan views There will be a number of Dundee United players cursing Bain's name after Saturday's game. Full-back Kevin Ciubotaru's shot seemed destined for the bottom right-hand corner before Bain intervened.
United debutant Lyall Cameron also watched in anguish as Bain denied him. Another new boy, Zidane Iqbal, arrowed a shot towards the top corner only for Bain to tip it away. And the goalkeeper thwarted Neil Farrugia, too.
It was an heroic display of defiance that very nearly earned his side a first league win of the season, but for Michael Forbes stoppage-time header. After a mistake at Celtic Park last weekend, Bain was back to his best. United assistant manager Lee Sharp was also quick to praise Bain's contribution and agree that he's done his Scotland chances absolutely no harm whatsoever.
"He had two or three really good saves in the second half." That was perhaps an understatement. Falkirk faced 27 shots, nine of which were on target. All of which were repelled by Bain until the late leveller.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
