SCOTLAND debut keeper Cieran Slicker will use former Celtic star Joe Hart as his inspiration to bounce back from his nightmare at Hampden.
The Ipswich Town kid had a night to forget after he was an early sub for the injured Angus Gunn when he conceded three disappointing goals as Steve Clarke’s side crashed to a woeful 3-1 home defeat to Iceland.
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Slicker had played just nine minutes of senior football in his career, but was previously capped 17 times by Scotland Under 21s.
He got off to a similarly rocky start after making a blunder in just his second cap for Scot Gemmill’s side in a 1-0 defeat to Denmark at Tynecastle four years ago when a long range shot from Gustav Isaksen, who is now at Lazio, deceived him.
And the former Manchester City keeper revealed then how he recovered from setbacks on the pitch.
He said: “Joe Hart was my hero growing up. When I was younger I was a ballboy at City too so I used to watch him up close.
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“I tried picking up as much as I could.
“Over the past few years, I have spoken to him quite a lot. I was lucky enough to be able to be in a position to speak to him.
“Joe is a great guy and a great goalkeeper as well, with a great career behind him.
“His advice to me was to try and play as many first team games as I could and to never give up.
“The goal I lost against Denmark was a tough one and it cost us. It was all about forgetting about the goal for me.
“Once it went in, it was gone and there was nothing I could do about it.
“I know for a keeper it’s all about that one moment.”
And Slicker also recalled when Pep Guardiola handed him his dream debut for Manchester City….and that was spoiled too.
He came on as a half time sub for City in a pre-season game against Preston in 2022, but lasted just 11 minutes before he was knocked out after colliding with Preston’s Tom Bayliss.
He said: “I came on for Zack Steffen. A through ball came in and it was a 50-50 and I got knocked out. It took me about a week or two to recover, but I was fine after that.
“At City, they have the best manager in the world, so I took on board what he said to me and I will try to use that for the rest of my career.
“The keepers at City were the main influences for me, obviously. Like Ederson. He was great for me. Even just watching him, I learned so much.
“Being able to have the ball at your feet is important in the modern-day game. You look at City and Ederson, who is the best in the world at it.”
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