Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Fal on January 10, 2026, 02:01:53 pm

Title: Zander Clark
Post by: Fal on January 10, 2026, 02:01:53 pm
Goalkeeper signed on loan from Hearts, 4 caps for Scotland
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: MachoMadness on January 10, 2026, 02:08:51 pm
6ft 3, 33 years old, lots of experience and decent track record up there but dropped out the side in the last 2 years, it seems.

Loan surprises me. Lot of work to do in the summer with no senior keeper on the books.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Highland Rover on January 10, 2026, 02:54:37 pm
 
 Saw him play a few times for Elgin City when he was on loan there . Seem to remember him being very vocal in organising his defence
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Upton Rover on January 10, 2026, 05:14:50 pm
Hope he can help turn things around for us, we need some inspiration from somewhere
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Bristol Red Rover on January 10, 2026, 05:55:41 pm
Well worth a watch!  :scarf: :boxing: :scarf:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF2H-2faBKQ
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on January 10, 2026, 05:56:35 pm
He was a very good keeper a few years back so it should be a solid signing. Good competition with TLT. With a world cup on the horizon Clark won't be coming to sit on the bench.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Bristol Red Rover on January 10, 2026, 06:00:09 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKftUjryjX8

The pen save against Celtic at around 30 secs is class!  :woohoo:
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: BobG on January 10, 2026, 06:11:23 pm
I appreciate videos like the one you shared BRR may be somewhat selective. But my first reaction has to be 'Surely he cannot really be Scottish?!!'

BobG
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 10, 2026, 06:16:09 pm
I know it is a less than credible league but he’s played four times this season in the league for Hearts in the season they are tearing up the top tier there.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: The Red Baron on January 10, 2026, 06:26:59 pm
We've had some decent Scottish keepers:

Jas Imrie
Archie Ferguson
Willie Nimmo
John Ogston
Willie Boyd
Neil Sullivan

Any more?
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 10, 2026, 06:28:55 pm
Gary O’Connor!
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Prez on January 10, 2026, 06:36:08 pm
Gary O’Connor!

My God he was awful
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Thorney on January 10, 2026, 06:42:45 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKftUjryjX8

The pen save against Celtic at around 30 secs is class!  :woohoo:

Watching that all i kept thinking was "another keeper who looks to parry a shot rarher that smother, alot of those were catchable and instead pushed them out, many the same type that TLT has been slated for"
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Branton Red on January 10, 2026, 07:20:09 pm
Delighted and relieved that Rovers have signed an experienced goalkeeper.

Though the problems at centre half have been exacerbated in recent weeks with the departure of O'Riordan looking at the season as a whole the goalkeeping position has been far and away our weakest area despite Ian Lawlor's commendably solid performances when he's been given an opportunity.

Hopefully the club have made a significantly better choice this time in this position.

If he's half as good as the last Scottish international goalkeeper on Rovers' books then we're on to a winner.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: GazLaz on January 10, 2026, 07:57:07 pm
Current international keeper so likely to miss  games in the international window in March. Presume Scotland will have friendlies then.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 10, 2026, 08:01:15 pm
Barring any more senior departures this window, the only squad players out injured at moment are Close and potentially Faulkner.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: ncRover on January 10, 2026, 08:06:35 pm
Current international keeper so likely to miss  games in the international window in March. Presume Scotland will have friendlies then.

He wasn’t called up for their last few qualifiers

https://x.com/scotlandnt/status/1985308802191589789?s=46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_football_team  (Scroll to players)



Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: GazLaz on January 10, 2026, 08:45:07 pm
Current international keeper so likely to miss  games in the international window in March. Presume Scotland will have friendlies then.

He wasn’t called up for their last few qualifiers

https://x.com/scotlandnt/status/1985308802191589789?s=46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_football_team  (Scroll to players)





Sorry, he was in the September squad. Up against Craig Gordon (who’s 43!), Liam Kelly, and Angus Gunn who don’t play for their clubs and Scott Bain who plays for Falkirk. He must have a chance if he played regularly.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on January 10, 2026, 08:56:41 pm
Current international keeper so likely to miss  games in the international window in March. Presume Scotland will have friendlies then.

He wasn’t called up for their last few qualifiers

https://x.com/scotlandnt/status/1985308802191589789?s=46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_football_team  (Scroll to players)





Sorry, he was in the September squad. Up against Craig Gordon (who’s 43!), Liam Kelly, and Angus Gunn who don’t play for their clubs and Scott Bain who plays for Falkirk. He must have a chance if he played regularly.

I watch a lot of Scottish football. Gordon is still a great keeper despite his age and has kept Clark out at Hibs.

If he performs he will indeed have a chance of the squad, playing is everything in a world cup year, but they may see him as more important playing for us come the international break.

That's all assuming he dislodges TLT, could be an interesting battle.  But you don't sign a player pushing for the Scotland squad to be a league one sub. I suspect he's not cheap either.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Draytonian III on January 10, 2026, 08:57:11 pm
I think that could be a massive motivation of going out on loan, getting a regular starting shirt even in the 3 tier in English league must give him more chance of going to the World Cup than sat on the bench in the Scottish Premiership
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on January 10, 2026, 09:00:09 pm
I would add that outside the top 4/5 or so in the Scottish premier, league 1 is a higher standard.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: GazLaz on January 10, 2026, 09:01:59 pm
Current international keeper so likely to miss  games in the international window in March. Presume Scotland will have friendlies then.

He wasn’t called up for their last few qualifiers

https://x.com/scotlandnt/status/1985308802191589789?s=46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_football_team  (Scroll to players)





Sorry, he was in the September squad. Up against Craig Gordon (who’s 43!), Liam Kelly, and Angus Gunn who don’t play for their clubs and Scott Bain who plays for Falkirk. He must have a chance if he played regularly.

I watch a lot of Scottish football. Gordon is still a great keeper despite his age and has kept Clark out at Hibs.

If he performs he will indeed have a chance of the squad, playing is everything in a world cup year, but they may see him as more important playing for us come the international break.

That's all assuming he dislodges TLT, could be an interesting battle.  But you don't sign a player pushing for the Scotland squad to be a league one sub. I suspect he's not cheap either.

*Hearts

You can start wars making mistakes like that!
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on January 10, 2026, 09:04:28 pm
Current international keeper so likely to miss  games in the international window in March. Presume Scotland will have friendlies then.

He wasn’t called up for their last few qualifiers

https://x.com/scotlandnt/status/1985308802191589789?s=46

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_football_team  (Scroll to players)





Sorry, he was in the September squad. Up against Craig Gordon (who’s 43!), Liam Kelly, and Angus Gunn who don’t play for their clubs and Scott Bain who plays for Falkirk. He must have a chance if he played regularly.

I watch a lot of Scottish football. Gordon is still a great keeper despite his age and has kept Clark out at Hibs.

If he performs he will indeed have a chance of the squad, playing is everything in a world cup year, but they may see him as more important playing for us come the international break.

That's all assuming he dislodges TLT, could be an interesting battle.  But you don't sign a player pushing for the Scotland squad to be a league one sub. I suspect he's not cheap either.

*Hearts

You can start wars making mistakes like that!

Oops!

You'd think having gone to school just outside Glasgow I'd know this (and my cousin's a Hearts fan too).
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: jmt23 on January 10, 2026, 09:07:43 pm
In the interview with Grant, Grant says he’s became disappointed to be sat on the bench in a World Cup year, and wants game time.

So he is definitely not here to sit on the bench at a lower level, and away from home - that would be my view at least.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: drfchound on January 10, 2026, 09:09:54 pm
He would never have been approved by Jimmy Greaves.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: NickDRFC on January 10, 2026, 09:36:01 pm
Can see it now, last game of the season and we need a goal to stop up…

https://youtu.be/KF2H-2faBKQ?si=Ywp0JOTboouOnHBT

Won the cup double at St Johnstone and is really highly rated by their fans.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: les@donr on January 10, 2026, 09:43:45 pm
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: mpc123 on January 10, 2026, 09:46:04 pm
Probably there wasnt a permanent deal available.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Nudga on January 10, 2026, 09:58:30 pm
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Try before you buy? Maybe he doesn't want to commit until he knows if we're in lg1 or not. Maybe wants to see if he can settle down here, although we are still.part of Scotland do shouldn't be difficult. 
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: ncRover on January 10, 2026, 10:15:25 pm
In the interview with Grant, Grant says he’s became disappointed to be sat on the bench in a World Cup year, and wants game time.

So he is definitely not here to sit on the bench at a lower level, and away from home - that would be my view at least.

Well he’ll get plenty of chances to showcase his skills :lol:

In all seriousness that may have influenced his decision? There was another League One club interested apparently.

See:

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/transfer-moves-for-hearts-goalkeeper-zander-clark-as-efl-clubs-chase-the-scotland-internationalist-5466074
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Fal on January 10, 2026, 10:29:10 pm
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Try before you buy? Maybe he doesn't want to commit until he knows if we're in lg1 or not. Maybe wants to see if he can settle down here, although we are still.part of Scotland do shouldn't be difficult. 

Grant said in his interview, cant remember which one (might be the radio sheffield one) that its unlikely to be a perm even in the summer as he still has another year on his contract with Hearts come the summer.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: roversdude on January 11, 2026, 12:31:00 am
We've had some decent Scottish keepers:

Jas Imrie
Archie Ferguson
Willie Nimmo
John Ogston
Willie Boyd
Neil Sullivan

Any more?
Colin Cramb
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Draytonian III on January 11, 2026, 12:35:34 am
We've had some decent Scottish keepers:

Jas Imrie
Archie Ferguson
Willie Nimmo
John Ogston
Willie Boyd
Neil Sullivan

Any more?
Colin Cramb




I was there
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: In the box on January 11, 2026, 01:16:18 am
We've had some decent Scottish keepers:

Jas Imrie
Archie Ferguson
Willie Nimmo
John Ogston
Willie Boyd
Neil Sullivan

Any more?
Glen Johnson
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: les@donr on January 11, 2026, 02:31:04 am
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Try before you buy? Maybe he doesn't want to commit until he knows if we're in lg1 or not. Maybe wants to see if he can settle down here, although we are still.part of Scotland do shouldn't be difficult. 

Grant said in his interview, cant remember which one (might be the radio sheffield one) that its unlikely to be a perm even in the summer as he still has another year on his contract with Hearts come the summer.



This is assuming he gets the No.1 shirt at Hearts in the Summer. If he is the No.1 at Rovers he might want to turn his loan into a permanent. Grant might be deliberately downplaying the permanent option to not alert other clubs to possible future deal.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Silkscarf on January 11, 2026, 07:45:38 am
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Try before you buy? Maybe he doesn't want to commit until he knows if we're in lg1 or not. Maybe wants to see if he can settle down here, although we are still.part of Scotland do shouldn't be difficult. 

Grant said in his interview, cant remember which one (might be the radio sheffield one) that its unlikely to be a perm even in the summer as he still has another year on his contract with Hearts come the summer.



This is assuming he gets the No.1 shirt at Hearts in the Summer. If he is the No.1 at Rovers he might want to turn his loan into a permanent. Grant might be deliberately downplaying the permanent option to not alert other clubs to possible future deal.

I wonder if he’ll actually be given ‘the No. 1 shirt’ here. I hope so. It sounds like we’ve done well to get him. Or will we save that for the next permanent keeper (which might not be him)? Maybe keepers aren’t bothered about that these days anyway as it doesn’t mean what it used to.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Metalmicky on January 11, 2026, 10:38:40 am
They don't seem too bothered on the Jambo site..... one of the many comments...

The guy waited patiently for ages for his chance then when he had the chance to become clear first choice, he absolutely shat the bed.
He's had a terrible season to be honest. Terrible performances, blunders and loss of confidence.
I don't see him ever playing for us again now.


Let's hope he can step up for us and get himself to the World Cup.... good luck Zander.. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 11, 2026, 10:41:25 am
The lad could well end up being a big success for us, who knows. It was disconcerting in his Free Press interview that McCann says he knows nothing about goalkeeping and doesn't get involved in recruitment, leaving all of that to Kyle Letheren. Seemingly no say or involvement at all. That seems a bit odd. He wasn't a striker himself either but presumably he gets involved in those decisions.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: ncRover on January 11, 2026, 11:33:59 am
The lad could well end up being a big success for us, who knows. It was disconcerting in his Free Press interview that McCann says he knows nothing about goalkeeping and doesn't get involved in recruitment, leaving all of that to Kyle Letheren. Seemingly no say or involvement at all. That seems a bit odd. He wasn't a striker himself either but presumably he gets involved in those decisions.

Yeah there’s certain qualities you might look for more depending on how you want to play. Eg if you’re gonna sit back and low block you want a goalie dominant in the air / good shot stopper. If you’re playing a high line you want a sweeper keeper.

We went from superb to very poor GK distribution in going from TSL to TLT. Passing out from the back or hitting it long to a target became more difficult. I think Lawlor’s ability to hit Molyneux was part of the reason he came in.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: DonnyOsmond on January 11, 2026, 11:38:35 am
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Three parties need to agree, he's probably got some reluctance joining a club 23rd in League One, a loan means come the summer he's free if we're relegated.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: ncRover on January 11, 2026, 11:44:53 am
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Three parties need to agree, he's probably got some reluctance joining a club 23rd in League One, a loan means come the summer he's free if we're relegated.

He’s also never played outside of Scotland and has a young family. Unlikely he wants to permanently relocate.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on January 11, 2026, 01:23:49 pm
Why not a permanent move? We’ve lost a permanent keeper in Lawlor.

Three parties need to agree, he's probably got some reluctance joining a club 23rd in League One, a loan means come the summer he's free if we're relegated.

He’s also never played outside of Scotland and has a young family. Unlikely he wants to permanently relocate.

Well clearly he'll have to have a good look at us and the area in general before even considering a more 'permanent' move for two or three years etc.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 11, 2026, 01:34:36 pm
Like Lucas Neill, this looks like a goldilocks move in a World Cup year. A side playing in a credible enough league, but without being such a good league that he isn't going to get a game. He needs to be appearing to be under national side consideration for the squad and we give him that. Will also be kept busy!
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: GazLaz on January 11, 2026, 01:42:24 pm
I think his experience could be important at the business end of the season if we are near that relegation line. 
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on January 11, 2026, 02:47:16 pm
Barring any more senior departures this window, the only squad players out injured at moment are Close and potentially Faulkner.

Broadbent?
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: northern soul on January 11, 2026, 03:00:01 pm
Hearts just had 1st choice keeper sent off
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: POD on January 11, 2026, 03:06:19 pm
Hearts just had 1st choice keeper sent off

It was a red card for DOGSO so will be a one match ban.   I doubt that they will recall Clark from his loan with us just to sit on the bench for one match. 

Craig Gordon has come on in his place.  Hearts clearly have a depth of goalkeeping talent if Gordon is only second choice, yet is number one choice for Scotland.   He is 43 though.   

Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: northern soul on January 11, 2026, 03:50:08 pm
Hearts just had 1st choice keeper sent off

It was a red card for DOGSO so will be a one match ban.   I doubt that they will recall Clark from his loan with us just to sit on the bench for one match. 

Craig Gordon has come on in his place.  Hearts clearly have a depth of goalkeeping talent if Gordon is only second choice, yet is number one choice for Scotland.   He is 43 though.   



I agree I doubt they'd recall him, even if they could, but there is a certain level of irony in it
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: ForsolongaRover on January 11, 2026, 06:02:58 pm
Hearts just had 1st choice keeper sent off

It was a red card for DOGSO so will be a one match ban.   I doubt that they will recall Clark from his loan with us just to sit on the bench for one match. 

Craig Gordon has come on in his place.  Hearts clearly have a depth of goalkeeping talent if Gordon is only second choice, yet is number one choice for Scotland.   He is 43 though.   



I agree I doubt they'd recall him, even if they could, but there is a certain level of irony in it

From what I read, recall is only possible if there is a specific condition in the Loan Contract that allows it.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Padge_DRFC on January 11, 2026, 06:28:41 pm
Barring any more senior departures this window, the only squad players out injured at moment are Close and potentially Faulkner.

Broadbent?

Potentially another accident like last season about to happen. We're going to realise Gotts is better off playing there than Broadbent. Street playing up front we stumbled across it by accident
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on January 11, 2026, 06:44:31 pm
Barring any more senior departures this window, the only squad players out injured at moment are Close and potentially Faulkner.

Broadbent?

Potentially another accident like last season about to happen. We're going to realise Gotts is better off playing there than Broadbent. Street playing up front we stumbled across it by accident

It has always been this way. Remember SOD refusing to play Paul Green and then having to and he made the whole team tick.

Funny old game.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 11, 2026, 07:00:19 pm
Anyone have any thoughts on Heffernan and whether he was used enough / correctly by SOD?
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Branton Red on January 11, 2026, 07:23:18 pm
I always reckoned SOD was bullied at school by someone called Paul.

Good managers eventually see and correct the error of their ways though.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: GazLaz on January 11, 2026, 07:30:21 pm
Anyone have any thoughts on Heffernan and whether he was used enough / correctly by SOD?


Post of the day.


Sorry BST but it made me laugh!
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Nudga on January 11, 2026, 07:30:45 pm
Anyone have any thoughts on Heffernan and whether he was used enough / correctly by SOD?

Don't think I've ever seen it mentioned haha
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Chris Black come back on January 13, 2026, 08:22:31 pm
Barring any more senior departures this window, the only squad players out injured at moment are Close and potentially Faulkner.

Broadbent?

Started tonight.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Spilsby Red on January 13, 2026, 08:25:45 pm
More confident with him than TLT
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: In the box on January 13, 2026, 10:02:07 pm
More confident with him than TLT
There can’t be too many clubs that rely on two loan keepers. TLT imo will be signed by us at the undo the season , why else put him through this humiliation!!
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Usher wide. on January 13, 2026, 10:11:10 pm
Too early to make a judgement call given tonights opposition.

He will have been annoyed (hopefully) not to have kept a clean sheet on his debut given it looked a ‘soft one’ to concede.

More challenges lie ahead me thinks.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Jersey Rover on January 13, 2026, 10:25:11 pm
Definitely looked athletic than what we’ve got. I can see him being a decent shot stopper.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: scawsby steve on January 14, 2026, 02:43:49 am
More confident with him than TLT
There can’t be too many clubs that rely on two loan keepers. TLT imo will be signed by us at the undo the season , why else put him through this humiliation!!

There's no way we'll sign TLT for next season. He's not good enough.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: scawsby steve on January 14, 2026, 02:51:07 am
Too early to make a judgement call given tonights opposition.

He will have been annoyed (hopefully) not to have kept a clean sheet on his debut given it looked a ‘soft one’ to concede.

More challenges lie ahead me thinks.

I disagree. I thought he'd no chance with the goal; it was tucked right inside the far post. It was the defenders who were at fault.

He's an experienced keeper with 4 Scotland caps. He'll be OK.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Move DRFC on January 14, 2026, 03:43:45 am
He should be okay for us. Way too soon to judge though.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Metalmicky on January 14, 2026, 06:29:23 am
Made a great save in the first half when we were 1 up.  But had little else to do.
Title: Re: Zander Clark
Post by: Filo on January 14, 2026, 07:05:11 am
Had nothing to do really, did drop a cross though, can’t judge him on that showing