It has not been a good time to be the first choice Scotland goalkeeper, with both Mark Ridgers and Alan McGregor having to be replaced in the games against Belgium Under 21s and Australia respectivly. Ridgers has been ruled out for at least three months with knee ligament damage after being carried off on Tuesday night at East End Park after a collision with Thomas Meunier. Scans have shown he has torn his posterior cruciate ligament and suffered further ligament damage. Hearts say Ridgers, who began the season as second in line to Jamie MacDonald at Tynecastle, will now visit a specialist to assess whether surgery is required. Manager John McGlynn said: "I am gutted for the boy. It's the start of the season, he's been doing well and now he's looking at a minimum of 12 weeks out. It is a blow for him and the club and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Hearts will give him all the help and support we can to get him back fit as quickly as possible." Under-19 goalkeeper Jack Hamilton will step up to act as cover for MacDonald for Scotland. Ridgers will miss the under-21s' final two European qualifying group games against Luxembourg and Austria. With St Mirren's Grant Adam out with a fractured leg, Tottenham keeper Jordan Archer looks set to continue for Billy Stark's team after making his debut as a replacement for Ridgers on Tuesday. Meanwhile the SFA released a statement about Besiktas' 'kepper McGregor which said: "Allan McGregor underwent an MRI scan today at Ross Hall Hospital, following his substitution against Australia at Easter Road last night. The scan confirmed he has suffered a groin strain and he will now return to Turkey to undergo a programme of rehabilitation with Besiktas. The Scottish FA medical staff have confirmed that the recovery process will take weeks rather than days but a more specific timescale will only be established once he begins treatment at his club."
Source: FOOTYMAD
