Archer: My debt to the legend that is Leighton

AFTER his mum, naturally, there was another phone call Jordan Archer felt he had to make. first call-up to the Scotland squad was marked by a message of thanks to the nation’s most-capped goalkeeper.

Jim Leighton — veteran of four World Cup squads and 91 appearances — provided support and inspiration during the formative years of Archer’s career, strengthening his self-belief. That debt hasn’t been forgotten.

The Millwall keeper has progressed through a couple of age groups with Scotland, but the journey wasn’t always easy.

When he suffered the indignity of conceding six times on Under-21 duty against England in 2013, Leighton was on hand to offer much-needed reassurance.

‘I was lucky in the Under-21s to have a great goalkeeping coach in Jim Leighton,’ said Archer. ‘He had a fantastic career and I learned a lot from him.

‘I feel I owe him. When I came into the 21s, he really welcomed me and he always said he felt I had the ability to push on. That gave me confidence and now eventually this senior squad call-up has come.

‘I was on the phone to Jim to thank him. He returned the favour, congratulated me and told me to go and enjoy it.

‘He’s been keeping tabs on my progress. I’ve been in contact with him frequently. He’s a good guy.

‘Jim was my coach at the time of that England game. He sat me down as he’s made mistakes in his career and he told me how to deal with it and move on.

‘I’ve pushed on a lot since then. Back then, I was at Spurs and hadn’t had a lot of men’s football. If you look at the England team, they had players who had been involved in a lot of senior games.

‘To be a keeper you’ve got to be strong mentally because if you make a mistake it often ends up in the back of the net. It’s testament to my character that I put it behind me and haven’t looked back.’

Archer may have been born in Walthamstow but his delight in representing Scotland is clear. His first-ever international jersey, from an Under-19 appearance against Denmark, is framed and on display at home. ‘I’m immensely proud,’ said Archer, speaking at Scotland’s training base at Mar Hall. ‘I have the shirt in my bedroom. Ever since I left the Under-21 set-up it has been my aim to get a call-up and now I’m here. I’m delighted.

‘I found out after we played (Nottingham) Forest. Jim Stewart is the Scotland goalkeeping coach and I got a phone call.

‘After that call, I had a big grin on my face. I went straight on the phone to my mum and she was really pleased, too. My mum has the Scottish connection. Her parents are from Clydebank, not too far from where we are now. I’ve got uncles spread around here. ‘My grandparents moved down from Scotland to Stevenage in Hertfordshire. That’s where my mum was raised. ‘She had a tear in her eye when I told her about the call-up. It’s a proud moment for my whole family.’

Archer is not naive about his status in the squad. Craig Gordon is expected to continue in goal against Lithuania in Vilnius on Friday, with Allan McGregor backing him up. Archer is here to listen, learn and mark himself out as one for the future.

‘I’m under no illusions about game-time, we’ve got two top goalkeepers ahead of me,’ he said.

‘I’m going to be like a sponge and soak it up — to be around the squad, see the ins and outs.

‘I’m 24, so I’ve got a long career ahead of me. The other keepers have been fantastic. They are top pros. Craig Gordon is doing really well and I will be playing against Allan McGregor (when Millwall face Hull City) a couple of times this season. That will be fun.’

Archer grew up an Arsenal fan but joined north London rivals Tottenham. He was released in 2015, swiftly moving to Millwall and helping them win promotion to England’s second tier last term.

‘Hugo Lloris was Spurs No 1 when I was there,’ added Archer. ‘Brad Friedel, Heurelho Gomes and Michel Vorm were there, too.

‘Hugo is France’s No 1 but he was great at helping out the younger keepers. It was a great education.’