Picking his No 1 is so difficult for McLeish

ALEX McLEISH admits choosing between Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon to be his firstchoice goalkeeper has been one of his toughest calls as Scotland boss. Forced to make a decision for tonight’s friendly with Belgium followed by Monday’s opening Nations League clash with Albania, the head coach insists he has reached an ‘amicable agreement’ to give the Rangers and Celtic shotstoppers a game each. The 59-year-old has already decided on his main man for the Euro

2020 qualifying campaign after talks with Scots goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods, a close colleague of Gordon at club level. Refusing to say which of the rivals will get the nod when the competitive action gets underway, however, McLeish is keeping his cards close to his chest. ‘It is a tough decision but I’m in cahoots with Stevie Woods, the goalie coach,’ he said. ‘He is very fair with the two experienced goalies and Jordan Archer, as well. ‘Stevie and I had big discussions a couple of weeks ago before the squad assembled about how we play this. ‘It’s difficult when you’ve got two goalies of a tremendous level. ‘England had that problem way back in the day with (Peter) Shilton and (Ray) Clemence and it was one (game) each. ‘There were eras where it worked out for the coach. I don’t want to lose any of our keepers and have the ideal solution. I want these two guys to be around for as long as possible. ‘For these two games, we have had an amicable agreement. ‘We will wait to see how the games go and see what suits the style of play we have in a game. If somebody has 40 world-class saves against Belgium then he might have nailed his position. It’s a very difficult decision. ‘It’s so difficult for me to say that, ongoing, I can definitely pick one above the other.’ Capped 52 times, Parkhead No 1 Gordon was first pick for the recent World Cup qualification campaign after fighting his way back from a serious knee injury to play Champions League football. Rejoining Rangers for a second spell this summer, however, McGregor hopes to add to his 38 caps after a superb start to the season saw him pull off a string of fine saves in Sunday’s Old Firm defeat. ‘Having had the talks with Stevie Woods and the boys, they know we have to make a decision and they have to get on with it,’ added McLeish. ‘We believe the two of them have that competitive spirit where one wants to usurp the other. And the chat was along those lines. ‘We are so lucky to have those two guys at that level.’ McLeish plans to play two Scotland teams in the double-header against Belgium and Albania. Both games are expected to fall far short of sell-outs and the Scotland boss has called on his side to bolster Monday’s Nations League attendance by putting up a strong show against the World Cup semi-finalists. ‘I know the Belgium game is more attractive to the Tartan Army, or to Scottish fans in general, but it would be great to see them filling the ground,’ said McLeish. ‘Probably it will be difficult to see a full house on Monday night but me and the players and coaches would love to see as many as possible coming to the games. ‘If we get a really positive result against Belgium then, hopefully, the floodgates will open for the fans coming on Monday. ‘When players go out in any game and especially against a team of Belgium’s stature, this is like a cup final for them and they treat it as such.’