Ex-Hearts keeper Jon McLaughlin speaks on his Sunderland future as contract nears an end

Sunderland's Jon McLaughlin in action for Scotland.

Former Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin is open to offers as his Sunderland contract nears expiry, but admitted he would struggle to find a bigger club.

The Scotland internationalist becomes a free agent at the end of June and is awaiting a new proposal from the Stadium of Light. He said Sunderland’s size is a persuasive factor as he considers his next move.

The coronavirus shutdown has put everything in the football industry on hold and McLaughlin’s career is no different. He intends to give his current club priority when it comes to contract talks.

Now 32, he left Hearts in summer 2018 to become the established first choice at Sunderland. He is a popular figure in the north east of England but told the Evening News he can’t yet say for certain where he will play next season.

Sunderland sit just outside the play-off places in England’s League One and have intimated that they intend to offer McLaughlin a new deal. Like every other player, the goalkeeper is waiting on official news on whether this season will finish.

“We haven't made any plans. The club you are at is always the first priority,” he said. “I have moved clubs a number of times but that was because the opportunities elsewhere were better.

“Sunderland is a massive club. If and when we can start getting promoted, you'd have to go a long way to be playing for a bigger club. I've enjoyed my time. It's still a club where I'll try to sort out different issues.

“We have enjoyed it here and the family like it. We didn't have to move too far down from Scotland. My kids are getting to near school age, which changes priorities and whether you are going to move them.

“The decision won't just be mine. It will be down to the club what they want to do with myself, other players, and where they are at if we do get promoted or we don't.

“It also depends what else is out there. Nobody knows what they are doing at the moment in terms of transfers and budgets. Until there are answers, I think everything is on standby.

“There are no real answers from anyone at the moment. I'm still a Sunderland player until the end of June at least. We are at the mercy of the EFL and the FA so we need to see if the season will be completed and what that means.

“We don't know if teams and players will be made to continue regardless, or if players move on whether they will be allowed to play for their new clubs with the season not completed. There are so many questions.

“I think they are waiting on the Government to give some guidance on when things can start again. I know in Scotland they were quick to start making decisions, but here they have been biding their time.

“We are also a bit at the mercy of the Premier League. They want to play because of the finances. They need to get it completed and if that happens then I think the leagues below will follow suit.”

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