Hearts keeper Jon McLaughlin desperate to play for Scotland

Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin today declared he is desperate to play for Scotland. The Edinburgh-born No.1 is in a rich vein of form and hopes it leads to an international call-up later this year.
Jon McLaughlin made vitaol saves against St JohnstoneJon McLaughlin made vitaol saves against St Johnstone
Jon McLaughlin made vitaol saves against St Johnstone

His six vital saves were pivotal to Hearts’ 1-0 win over St Johnstone on Saturday. He also recorded a new Tynecastle record of eight successive clean sheets during December and January.

Manager Craig Levein told the Evening News last week that he doesn’t expect the 30-year-old to sign a new contract beyond this summer. However, he stressed Scotland honours must be in the pipeline given the keeper’s consistency.

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McLaughlin is eager to play for his country and said he would have no problem travelling to Peru and Mexico for friendly matches later this year.

“If anyone doesn’t fancy it, I’ll be more than happy. I’ll be sticking my hand up. I’ve got no holidays booked and I’ve had all my jabs. If no-one else fancies it then I’ll be up for it,” he laughed.

“Some people have been mentioning that [Scotland call-up] and it would be incredible. For every footballer, that’s the pinnacle of your career. If I could make it into the international squad, it would be incredible.

“Since I’ve come to Hearts, it’s something which has been brought forward a lot more than when I was playing down south. There are places you could go and, if you leave, maybe that would start to fade away. Up here, you’re right in the epicentre of it all and that obviously aids the possibility.”

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McLaughlin is thriving behind a defensive partnership of Christophe Berra and John Souttar at Tynecastle – the former a Scotland regular and the latter another cap contender. McLaughlin hopes that helps his own case.

“Sometimes that can play in your favour as well,” he said. “You see how many Celtic players who play together are in the Scotland squad. It can add to your chances if they think there’s a group or nucleus who could slot right in and are used to playing with each other week in and week out.

“It’s fantastic playing with these guys at Hearts. We’re doing really well at the moment so long may it continue.”