Angus Gunn was born on January 22nd, 1996, in Norwich, England. He is the son of former Scottish international goalkeeper Bryan Gunn. Angus started his football career in Norwich City’s academy and eventually made his debut for Norwich City in October 2017. However, in the summer of 2018, Angus became one of many English talents to sign with Manchester City, joining the Premier League champions for a fee reported to be around £13 million.
Gunn had a promising start to his career at Manchester City but found it challenging to get playing time under Pep Guardiola. Despite his limited opportunities, the goalkeeper was highly rated and seen as a player with an excellent potential future. Nevertheless, after his spell at Manchester City, Gunn decided it was time to move on and explore other options.
That opportunity arrived in the summer of 2018 when Southampton came calling for Gunn, offering him a chance to prove himself in the Premier League. Gunn quickly established himself as the club’s number one goalkeeper, consistently producing excellent performances, even in challenging games.
On the international stage, Gunn initially represented England on different levels before making the difficult decision in 2018 to switch his allegiance to Scotland. The move was surprising given that Gunn’s father played for the Scottish national team, and it was expected that Angus would follow in his father’s steps.
Angus was eligible to play for Scotland because of his grandfather, who was born in Glasgow. Although his decision to switch from an England call-up to Scotland did not go unnoticed or uncontested, Gunn had his reasons, which were logical and understood by many. In his own words, he said, “Everyone makes their own choice, and mine was to represent Scotland. It’s where my family is from, and I want to become an important player for them.”
Gunn’s decision to represent Scotland went well with the coach, Steve Clarke, who had previously worked with him during his time in charge of West Bromwich Albion. Clarke praised Gunn for his performances at Southampton and his willingness to represent the Scottish National team. “I’m delighted to bring in Angus. He is an exciting young talent who is hungry to make a mark on international football,” said Clarke.
The 2022 World Cup qualification games in Europe started, and Gunn made his debut for Scotland in the match against the Faroe Islands on September 4th, 2021. He was impressive in goal, making some crucial saves to keep a clean sheet and help Scotland cruise to a comfortable 4-0 win.
Angus Gunn’s place in the Scottish national team showed that a player’s decision to pledge his allegiance to a new country could sometimes work out for the better. He has already made an impression in his debut game, and his performances have earned him the respect of the fans.
Gunn’s decision to switch to Scotland has brought more attention to the debate on players’ international eligibility, and it is gradually becoming a more significant issue worldwide. However, the decision often comes down to personal motives and opinion, as seen in Angus’s case.
Angus Gunn’s journey from Norwich to Manchester City, to Southampton, to Scotland has been quite the adventure. He has shown his skill, resilience, and determination to succeed, and his future looks bright. With the World Cup and European Championship Qualifiers coming up, Gunn will be keenly watched as he continues to represent Scotland with pride and honor. He has pledged his loyalty to Scotland, and the country has embraced him with open arms, giving him an opportunity to become a vital part of the national team.
In conclusion, Angus Gunn’s decision to switch to Scotland has been one of the most intriguing and discussed moves in international football in recent years. However, his performances on the pitch for both club and country have shown that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Scotland’s national team has certainly benefitted from his presence, and given his age and talent, Gunn could be a mainstay in the Scotland team for years to come.