FORMER Celtic and Republic of Ireland stopper Pat Bonner believes that it would be remiss of Gordon Strachan to oversee a change in the goalkeeping situation at this stage of the European Championship campaign.

Bonner has been an admirer of current Parkhead number one Craig Gordon, however with David Marshall handed the gloves for the duration of the campaign, Bonner sees no justifiable reason to change that now.

“He has got to stick now,” said Bonner. “I said before when Craig was playing really well and was high on confidence that he had a real chance to play but I think at this moment in time you are too far down the competition now to make those type of changes.

“He won't make critical changes. I think Gordon will go with the guys he trusts. He won’t change his goalkeeper unless he is injured, of course.”

Meanwhile, Bonner has also told Scotland that if they are to snatch a play-off place for the European Championships this summer in France then they need to approach this week’s double header in the right frame of mind.

Strachan’s side desperately need to take something from tomorrow’s game against Poland at Hampden and look to capitalise when they play Gibraltar in Portugal this Sunday. Ireland – four points better off than Scotland at the minute – host Germany tomorrow night in Dublin before heading to Warsaw on Sunday to play second-placed Poland.

Given the length of time since Scotland have last been at a major tournament – it will be 18 years this June – there is a psychological argument to suggest that the national side may feel that reaching such a stage is beyond them.

“I think Scotland are good enough to be at major tournaments. Believe it!” insisted Bonner. “If we thought that way back in Jack’s [Charlton] day we would never have got anywhere. You have got to believe. And remember, we had good players but Ireland in the old days couldn’t go abroad and get a result. Then someone like Jack came in, gave us confidence, we won a few matches and then we could take on the world.”

Capped 80 times for his country, Bonner remains a proud Irishman but having resided in the southside of Glasgow for long he maintains an affection for his adopted country.

And he has voiced his optimism that not only can Scotland and Ireland get out of the group but also that all home nations could be present at this summer’s tournament.

“People don’t know what Ireland can do until they get there. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we had all the home nations there for one? Northern Ireland are up there on merit and could win the group, Wales could win the group, England are through and Ireland could qualify and Scotland could be in the play-offs – or the other way around.

“My heart tells me Scotland will beat Poland,” insisted Bonner, who won 80 caps for his country. “You all have to be positive. We may not get something against Germany but we need a good performance, which I think we’ll get.

“We’ll beat Poland in the last game to qualify and Scotland will go into the play-offs. Poland will be out. That’s what my heart says. My head says it will be difficult. These are big games. Even a draw against Poland would be great for Scotland, hoping we slip up, which could easily happen.”

“My heart tells me Scotland will beat Poland,” insisted Bonner, who won 80 caps for his country. “You all have to be positive. We may not get something against Germany but we need a good performance, which I think we’ll get.

“We’ll beat Poland in the last game to qualify and Scotland will go into the play-offs. Poland will be out. That’s what my heart says. My head says it will be difficult. These are big games. Even a draw against Poland would be great for Scotland, hoping we slip up, which could easily happen.”

Meanwhile, Bonner has also insisted that he has not fallen foul of Roy Keane after giving his take on the controversial Saipan affair at the 2002 World Cup. Bonner, there as a goalkeeping coach, has stressed that his own fall-out with Keane was over-stressed, did admit that he thought then Ireland boss Mick McCarhty would have swung for Keane given the verbal abuse he took off the Cork-man.

However he has insisted that Keane has not been in touch to vent.

"Roy and I get on fine," he laughed. "It's my story and the bit about Roy is just my angle."

*Pat Bonner will host an evening in WalkAbout in Glasgow on Thursday, October 29, with former Celts Frank McAvennie, Joe Miller and Andy Walker among others expected to be in attendance. Bonner was speaking at the launch of his book, The Last Line.