Scotland World Cup dream alive for unlikely Premiership star as battle leaves Steve Clarke with fresh headache

When Scott Bain made the decision to leave Celtic last summer, he contemplated hanging up the gloves for good. His subsequent career turnaround will have been beyond his wildest dreams.

The 34-year-old spent the majority of his six years at Parkhead as third-choice goalkeeper. He could easily have remained in a comfortable environment as a back-up option, but instead chose to take a huge risk by moving to newly-promoted Falkirk.

It has paid dividends, with Bain flourishing as a mainstay for John McGlynn’s side as they edge closer to securing a sensational top-six finish on their Premiership return. His stellar form between the sticks was rewarded with a return to the Scotland national team fold last year.

Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain earned hist just fourth Scotland cap against Ivory Coast at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium | SNS Group

Introduced at half-time for Rangers No.2 Liam Kelly in Tuesday’s pre-World Cup friendly defeat to Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, Bain put in a solid second half cameo to thrust himself into the reckoning for a golden ticket on the plane to America this summer.

It marked his first appearance for Scotland since 2019 when he won the last of his three caps by playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over San Marino as part of the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Brave Celtic exit decision has boosted Bain’s World Cup ambitions

Now in with a serious chance of dislodging one of Kelly, Angus Gunn or Craig Gordon in the battle to make Steve Clarke’s final 26-man squad for the tournament, Bain is hopeful he seized his opportunity to impress after declaring his dream of making the final cut is never far from his thoughts.

“It would be great for me personally to go to a World Cup,” he admitted. “It’s something I try not to think about day to day.

“But last week was a good break for me in terms of getting away from the league and Scottish football’s hustle and bustle. I also got to train with some real, top quality players and test myself at international level.

“It would mean a lot to me to get there especially given the circumstances with me coming back into it and playing. It could cap off what could be an amazing season for me.

“The manager was good enough to give me a cap on Tuesday night and a platform to go and impress. It was an opportunity for me to try and get into that squad of goalkeepers for the World Cup. I’m obviously grateful for that. It’s in the hands of the manager but hopefully I’ve done enough.”

Bain came to Scotland’s rescue in the closing stages on Merseyside by tipping Manchester United winger Amad Diallo’s driven effort round the post after he had embarked on a dazzling solo run.

In addition to his save, Bain produced some strong handling and communicated well with his defensive line amid sustained late Ivorian pressure.

“I just remember Diallo cutting in and I’d watched videos of him bending shots in the far corner,” Bain recalled when asked about the save. “But when he cut in again, he struck it well and I was in a decent enough position to get a hand on it and put it round the post.

Scott Bain gestures after producing an important late save from Manchester United winger Amad Diallo during Scotland's pre-World Cup friendly defeat to Ivory Coast | Getty Images

“It was great for me (to get 45 minutes). I spoke to the manager before the game and he said I’d come on at half-time. Sometimes it can be a bit of an awkward situation coming on midway through the game, but I really enjoyed it. I felt relaxed out there and it was nice to have a good moment in the game.”

Match-fit Bain hoping he is worth World Cup shot

Scotland may have fallen to back-to-back friendly defeats, but Bain could be well positioned to book his World Cup ticket when Clarke contemplates who is deserving of a place in his final squad.

With veteran Hearts shot-stopper Gordon on the comeback trail from injury, and with Gunn and Kelly both struggling for minutes at Nottingham Forest and Rangers respectively, Bain is the only keeper currently getting game time on a regular basis.

Giving his thoughts on how games against Japan and Ivory Coast unfolded, Bain added: “I thought we were unlucky not to get something from Tuesday’s game but we’ve just played against two teams at a really high level. Japan were technical, quick and moved the ball well. Ivory Coast were the same but even more physical.

“You want to win every game but it probably gave the manager a chance to see some players and try a different formation. There has to be a little bit of perspective but you also want to win the game. With the World Cup coming up, he will no doubt see these games as being hugely beneficial.”