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By JOHN MCGARRY Published: 07: 30 AEST, 8 September 2025 | Updated: 07: 30 AEST, 8 September 2025 View comments In the space of a month at the end of last season, Angus Gunn endured the kind of episode in his career which might well have had him questioning if he was being punished for misdemeanours made in a previous life. In the hours which followed Norwich’s final league match of the season, a 4-2 win over Cardiff, the goalkeeper was taken aside and bluntly informed that his four-year association with the Canaries was at an end. While the goalkeeper gracefully accepted the decision which was communicated to him by sporting director Ben Knapper, the explanation he felt he was due was not forthcoming. The sense that it never rains but it pours arrived in the early moments of June’s Hampden friendly against Iceland. With the game yet to settle, Gunn fell awkwardly and injured his ankle while trying to take a routine cross ball. He left the arena on a stretcher after just seven minutes. Without a club and now without the capacity to prove his worth to any would-be suitor, the 29-year-old could not buy a break. Angus Gunn trains in Copenhagen ahead of Scotland's flight out to Hungary to face Belarus Steve Clarke's faith in his goalkeeper was rewarded with a shut-out against Denmark Gunn was a composed presence between the sticks as he helped Scotland to a goalless draw Once recovered, there was talk of interest from Antalyaspor and West Brom yet nothing happened. The sight of Gunn rocking up to the PFA’s free agent trials was a reminder of how fickle the game’s fates can be. He eventually signed for Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal but had not played a single minute of football this season when he joined up with the national team for the double header with Denmark and Belarus. The reassurance Gunn required came when Steve Clarke named him ahead of Zander Clark and Liam Kelly in Copenhagen. The clean sheet he contributed felt like him turning the page on the bleakest chapter of his career. ‘It’s been interesting, ’ he said with no little understatement. ‘It was a long summer for me. ‘It definitely wasn’t a great experience. It’s been a difficult time all round knowing that I was out of contract going into that game and then picking the injury up. Thankfully, it was nothing too serious. I had to have a lot of patience. ‘I listened to different offers and, to be honest, I was sitting there not really knowing what was going to happen. Obviously, the Forest thing came up and it was a chance to stay in England. ‘It’s only a short-term thing, but coming away with the national team gives me a good chance to get games in. I just wanted to come out confident and hopefully stamp my authority on the position. ’ He will not pretend, though, that finding himself behind Matz Sels in the pecking at the City Ground is in any way ideal. Prior to joining up with his Scotland team-mates, Gunn had to look deep within and remind himself what he’s capable of between the sticks. Gunn has landed on his feet at Premier League Nottingham Forest after being let go by Norwich Gunn claims the ball ahead of Celtic signing target Kasper Dolberg in the Parken Stadion   ‘I’ve had a lot of experiences in the past and I’ve learned from that, ’ he added. ‘I’m still training at the club day in, day out with top players. I feel like that’s definitely kept me sharp. ‘Going to Forest, I was probably a little bit behind. It was probably a week before the season began that I went in there. In the last few weeks, I’ve been working really hard with the goalkeeping coach. I feel really good. ’ While hardly overworked in the Danish capital, Gunn more than justified his selection with an assured and error-free display. He plans to keep it that way. ‘I was really proud of my performance, ’ he said. ‘Other than picking the three points up, it couldn’t have gone any better. ‘We were happy with the performance of the whole team and it reminded me a lot of some of the games in the last qualifying campaign. Now the focus is on bringing out the results away from home then taking teams back to Hampden and qualifying for the World Cup. ’ While group whipping boys Belarus are eminently beatable, the lack of supporters in the stadium is a nagging concern. ‘We’ve dealt with this kind of situation in the past, ’ said Gunn. ‘It wasn’t too long ago that we played games during the Covid situation. ‘It’s probably going to benefit us more as they won’t have that backing from their own crowd. Hopefully, we can use that to our advantage, start the game really well and get the three points. ’

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