Daniel Bachmann reckons Allan McGregor’s Europa League wonder save for Rangers proved that Scotland is home to a selection of the world’s most vintage goalkeepers.
The Watford number one - in line to make his debut for Austria at Hampden tomorrow night - admits the Hornets shotstoppers including ex-England star Ben Foster were buzzing off the Rangers star’s last minute heroics in Prague a fortnight ago.
Veteran Ibrox keeper McGregor, of course, won’t be anywhere near the World Cup qualifier after handing in his international notice two years ago.
But Bachmann knows only too well Steve Clarke has a list of equally well-matured keepers at his disposal in David Marshall, Craig Gordon and Jon McLaughlin.
And the former Kilmarnock loan star - who is preparing to go up against his old boss Steve Clarke - said: “There are so many senior Scottish goalkeepers playing at a very high level just now.
“I saw McGregor’s save and it was unbelievable.
“The day after that game myself, Ben Foster and all the goalkeepers at Watford were talking about it at training and were all agreed it was just absolutely incredible. One of the best you will see.
“As a goalkeeper you know how hard that save is. You see some top saves that you know aren’t quite as difficult as they look.
“But that one - with the pace on the ball and the bounce and everything about it - you just know how hard it is.
“McGregor has obviously looked after himself so it doesn’t matter what age you are. If you are top class then you are top class.
“The same can be said for the three goalkeepers in the Scotland squad.
“All the best known Scottish keepers are vastly experienced and a very good standard.
“Craig Gordon has done it for years with Celtic, Sunderland and Scotland.
“And I played against David Marshall a couple of weeks back and he is still a top goalkeeper as is Jon McLaughlin.
“So it really doesn’t matter who plays on Thursday, Scotland are very well covered in goal.”
Bachmann credits Scotland boss Clarke with setting him on the road to international stardom.
But as he prepares for the next stage of that journey tomorrow night the goalkeeper is intent on throwing up a massive barrier to his old mentor’s World Cup hopes.
Two years on from helping Clarke and Killie qualify for Europe off the back of their record top flight points total he is now the established number one at Watford where he is keeping Foster out the team.
He said: “If I was to make my debut tomorrow night it would be great. To be in Scotland where I lived for a year with my family and enjoyed one of my best seasons would make it extra special.
“That season with Kilmarnock helped me massively in my development.
“The chance to play regularly at a good standard, in front of big crowds and be as successful as we were - it set me up nicely.
“We kept a lot of clean sheets, every player knew their job and we worked really well together to make sure we qualified for Europe.
“The way we set up was good for me to learn that side of the game and the way we played made it easier for a goalkeeper to come in. We were really organised.
“Steve Clarke is a quiet person but once he walks into a room - whether it’s a press conference or a dressing room - then everyone respects him.
“I will always be grateful to him for the chance he gave me.”
Austria travel to Glasgow later today with a strong squad and Bachmann insists, just like Scotland, they are intent on ending a 24-year wait to reach a World Cup Finals.
He said: “Our target is to win the group and qualify automatically. If we can’t then we have to make sure we get second place and a play-off spot.
“Austria haven’t been to a World Cup since 1998 either so that’s something we need to change.
“We know it’ll be difficult. Scotland have good players like Scott McTominay, Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and now Che Adams too.
“I never knew he had any Scottish blood in him so it was a surprise to see his name in there.
“It’s good for Scotland. We will just need to figure out a way to stop him.”
