A new nadir for Portsmouth keeper Craig MacGillivray as his career hits a crossroad

The Pompey keeper's omission from Scotland's most recent squad for forthcoming Nations League matches against Israel and the Czech Republic was confirmed yesterday afternoon.

In truth, all the noises being made in the build up suggested he'd been cut from his country's set-up.

By his own admission, MacGillivray’s said Steve Clarke had been in touch to say he was at risk of losing his spot if he didn't get back to playing regularly.

And with the ex-Shrewsbury man no longer featuring week in, week out, the Scotland boss simply couldn't justify selecting MacGillivray, instead punting for Robby McCrorie.

While his absence wasn’t a revelation, it will cast further doubts over where MacGillivray sees his future.

He's in a starkly contrasting situation to 12 months ago when he was the Blues' undisputed No1 – a position he'd craved when fulfilling the bridesmaid role at both Walsall and Shrewsbury.

When he broke into the Scotland squad last year, an opportunity to be part of the European Championships was on the horizon. That was something he'd previously only dreamed about when plying his trade in non-league.

At the time, MacGillivray was at the highest point of a career that was yet to peak.

He was settled at Fratton Park, having bought a house with his partner in the area, and wasn't all that bothered by rumours when linked with Rangers, Birmingham and Huddersfield. He was more than happy on the south coast.

But move to the present and MacGillivray is at the nadir of his time in the professional game.

Not only has he lost his berth in the Scotland squad, but it looks as if he will begin yet another campaign in a support-act role.

Alex Bass is set to continue as first choice – the position he's been in since his shock selection at Gillingham on New Year's Day.

The academy graduate has duly impressed during his time in the side, catching the eye of the likes of Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough in the process.

Despite those potential suitors, however, Pompey boss Kenny Jackett is keen to keep hold of Bass ahead of a renewed League One play-off push.

As a consequence, MacGillivray's career has taken a significant backwards step and could hardly be blamed if he wanted to move to pastures new.

Everyone knows he has too much quality to be sitting on the bench, even at a side who'll hopefully be challenging for the Championship again.

At the age of 27, it's not the time in his career to be a deputy once more. These are his prime years. He needs to be playing.

But, unfortunately, a switch might not be all that easy to come by.

The former Harrogate ace has a year left on his Fratton Park deal, but the club hold an option for an additional 12 months which strengthens their position.

Therefore, any side who'd want MacGillivray would have to stump up a significant fee, you'd suspect.

That might not be so easy for a lot of clubs in the current financial climate.

Then there's Jackett's reluctance to let such a keeper with MacGillivray’s prowess depart.

The Pompey boss recently addressed his goalkeeping department and said it’s in his remit to put the strongest squad capable of promotion together. That includes MacGillivray.

Should Bass’ form slip or he picks up an injury, a replacement more than adept is ready to step up.

Yet Jackett has had sympathy with players' situations in the past and reluctantly allowed them to leave.

The Blues manager didn't want to lose Conor Chaplin but had empathy he wanted to go and play games before joining Coventry in August 2018.

The same happened to Louis Dennis last summer when he left for Leyton Orient and, to an extent, Jamal Lowe's departure to Wigan.

As things stand, it looks like MacGillivray will have to try to fight his way back into both the Pompey starting XI and Scotland squad.

But one things clear – he can ill-afford another year on the sidelines.