Hutton hails Scotland's goalkeepers after McGregor heroics

Alan Hutton believes Allan McGregor's "unbelievable" performance in Scotland's 1-0 win over Czech Republic on Thursday confirmed he is pushing David Marshall for the number one spot.

Marshall has established himself as first-choice goalkeeper under Gordon Strachan but his Hull counterpart got his chance again when the national team boss announced two squads for the trip to Prague and the Denmark friendly at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

McGregor and new call-up Scott Bain of Dundee travelled to the Czech Republic where Watford wide-man Ikechi Anya scored what turned out to the winner after 10 minutes in the Generali Arena when he tucked away a Ross McCormack pass on the counter.

McGregor pulled off a series of fine saves, especially in the first-half when the visitors were under intense pressure, to help the Scots to a morale boosting win over a side who will be at the European Championship this summer.

Aston Villa defender Hutton, who won his 50th cap, praised his former Rangers team-mate and insists Strachan has a luxury of choice among his goalkeepers with Celtic's Craig Gordon also in the frame.

The 31-year-old said: "He (McGregor) was unbelievable and showed everybody what he is capable of and obviously pushing for number one with Marsh at the moment.

"We are very fortunate in that position. We have three, four, top-class goalkeepers all going to push each other.

"It is great for the squad really."

The challenge match was the first in Strachan's preparations for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers which begin later in the year.

Following the visit of the Danes, there will be friendlies against Italy and France before Euro 2016 begins.

Hutton believes the win against a side who topped their Euro qualification section ahead of Iceland, Turkey and Holland was a a massive confidence booster".

"The Czech Republic won so many games in their qualifying campaign so they were on a high," he said.

"They started off well, so for us to get the victory - it has done all sorts for us.

"They key thing out the game is that we can go to places like that and not play maybe amazing football, but show we can work together and get a great result.

"It was a tough game. We set out to play good football in the first half but we were pegged back in.

"But we got the breakaway goal, a great goal for us, and we were happy."

Hutton, who made his debut nine years ago as a second-half substitute for Graham Alexander in a 1-0 win over Austria in Graz, was delighted to have won his half-century of caps and admitted he did not envisage such a milestone.

"It is a great honour," he said. "I never once thought I'd get this many so to get to 50 is a dream come true really."