Jon McLaughlin deputised for Allan McGregor against Dundee at the weekend and, once again, reminded fans why he should be given the chance to stake his claim for the number one jersey on a permanent basis next season.
He might have had little to do in terms of shot stopping but his ability on the ball saw us play out from the back on a few occasions when McGregor would have launched it clear, this can be the difference between breaking an initial press and starting an attack or turning over possession.
McLaughlin signing a new contract is comforting in that we know there is a safe pair of hands already at the club but we have still been linked with other senior goalkeepers, one of which being West Brom’s Sam Johnstone.
The Sun has reported that we face an uphill battle if we are to land the England cap though with Manchester United said to be looking to take him back to the club and West Ham United the front runners to sign him:
“West Brom and England star Johnstone was at United as a kid and they enquired about him a year ago.
“Johnstone is a free agent in the summer and looks poised to depart the Hawthorns.
“West Ham are still clear leaders in the race to land him and insiders believe that deal is a long way down the line — although nothing is signed.”
With Robby McCrorie at the club, I don’t see the point in signing another keeper unless they have a better pedigree or have the potential to be at the club for years to come and Johnstone ticks a lot of those boxes.
The decision he will have to make – if we are actually interested – will be whether or not he wants to continue playing first-team football or return to the Premier League on bigger wages but be content with a place on the bench.
Replacing a club legend is near on impossible but Johnstone, at least, has the sort of CV that would represent a good signing, especially on a free.