Former international goalkeeper Bryan Gunn reckons Jed Steer has the quality to be Scotland’s number one.
The Gothenburg Great coached Steer as a youngster at Norwich City and watched on with pride as he helped Aston Villa to the Premier League.
Steer qualifies to play for Scotland through his mother’s side of the family, despite being born in England and representing them at youth level. His performance in the semi-final victory over West Brom, in which he saved two penalties, is believed to have caught the eye of the Scotland hierarchy.
Gunn said: “When I was at Norwich, Jed was coming through the ranks with Angus (Gunn) just behind him. He has had to be patient with injuries but since he got into the team (at Villa) it has coincided with a good run of results.
“He showed his quality in the penalty shoot-out, which helped take the team into the Premier League, and he has confidence in his own ability.
“He’ll be one Steve Clarke and his scouting staff will be keeping an eye on.”
Steer had been at Norwich from the age of nine until leaving for Villa in 2013. Gunn’s son Angus was also in the club’s youth system before leaving for Man City in 2011 but he had a loan move back to Carrow Road during the 2017-18 campaign.
His performances in the Championship earned a move to Southampton last year and when Ralph Hasenhuttl took over at St Mary’s, Gunn enjoyed his top-flight breakthrough.
Despite his father’s overtures – Gunn senior was born in Thurso – he looks set to pledge his international future to England, despite efforts from Gunn’s former team-mate Alex McLeish to convince him to pick Scotland.
Gunn added: “He was born in England and he’s focused on the under-21 tournament this summer. He got a call-up when England played Brazil and had a taste of the senior set-up. If he plays for Southampton he has a better chance to feature in England squads. I did my best.
“I called him Angus Fraser James Gunn. But he’s a grown man and his own thoughts on his heritage.”
Former Don Gunn, who was Jim Leighton’s understudy until 1986, was part of the Scotland under-19 squad that made the quarter-finals of the 1983 World Youth Championship in Mexico. Also in the squad were Neale Cooper, Pat Nevin, Jim McInally, Brian McClair, Dave Bowman, Eric Black and current Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
Scotland beat the hosts to get out of the group, in a game where Clarke scored the only goal and Gunn kept a clean sheet.
He said: “I was international team-mates with Steve and played against him when he was at Chelsea.
“He’s been given the opportunity not many people get and I can only see good things ahead for Scotland.”