McLaughlin has helped Hearts to brink of history

HEARTS arrive at Pittodrie this afternoon hoping to set a new club record of six consecutive clean sheets. The Tynecastle side have only ever managed five before; in 1905, 1921, 1936, 1973, 1988, 1991, 1993 and 2010.

Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin will naturally have a big say in whether or not the Gorgie men can make history today but, even if they don’t, boss Craig Levein will still be looking to secure the future of his impressive No1.

The shut-out specialist was born in Edinburgh to a Hibs-supporting family before emigrating at an early age to Saudi Arabia. After moving to England he turned out for Harrogate Railway, Harrogate Town, Bradford City and Burton Albion before joining Hearts in the summer on a one-year deal.

The 30-year-old (right) has proven such a calming influence in a period of turmoil at Tynecastle that Levein hopes he can tie him down on a longer deal.

‘Jon McLaughlin has been brilliant,’ said the Hearts boss. ‘He’s made good saves but, in all honesty, he’s not had a lot to do. He just has a calmness about him.

‘Having played centre-back for many years, I know how important it is to have a goalkeeper behind you who knows what he’s doing. Who is both calm and assured.

‘Jon is very often in the right place. His sweeping behind the back line is very good. He’s made a difference to our team.

‘That (a new contract) is something I will speak to him about.

‘We’ve got a lot of things going on, but he’s done a really good job for us and he’s a good boy. He’s sound. But our whole defence has been good.’

Hearts coach Austin MacPhee recently hailed captain Christophe Berra as Scottish football’s signing of the summer.

But Levein believes Berra’s central defensive partner, John Souttar, has also been outstanding during the recent run of clean sheets.

‘I thought the 0-0 draw with Hibs in midweek was John’s best game for Hearts,’ he said.

‘I think John’s brilliant. He is doing everything that people said he couldn’t do — and that’s the pleasing thing for me.

‘Until I was 21, 22, I didn’t feel I could dominate centre-forwards because physically I wasn’t capable.

‘I was quick and I could recover, get in behind and tidy things up.

‘But trying to win headers against experienced centre-forwards who know what they’re doing is really difficult for a young centre-half.

‘People had written John Souttar off at 17 and 18, saying he couldn’t do it.

‘But he has been learning and he has gradually been getting better, week-in, week-out. He hardly lost a header the other night against Hibs. ‘His tackling was superb and he and Christophe Berra were superb with the offside trap. ‘I honestly think John Souttar could be anything he wants to be. ‘Could he partner Berra in defence for Scotland? That’s not my place anymore, thankfully,’ smiled the former national team boss. Levein believes Souttar is destined for great things but says the 21-year-old won’t be leaving Tynecastle in the January window. ‘When we signed John from Dundee United, I hoped his career trajectory would be up the way and it has been. ‘He was out eight months with an Achilles injury and spent that time in the gym working his backside off.

‘Physically, he is a different specimen altogether now and people don’t realise he’s really quick.

‘His passing is something everybody admires. It’s one thing he is brilliant at. I think he is a complete player, I really do.

‘But I think he is another window away from being ready to go anywhere.’

Levein laughed off speculation linking him with a move for Niall McGinn prior to the winger’s return to today’s opponents Aberdeen.

But he remains a fan of Derek McInnes, the Pittodrie boss whose work this season has seen him approached — unsuccessfully — by both Sunderland and Rangers.

‘I’m a huge admirer of Del’s,’ added Levein. ‘I thought he was really badly treated when he went down to manage Bristol City. Promises were made that if he kept them up and kept the wage bill down, they’d stick by him.

‘But Del’s rebuilt his career to the extent that both Rangers and Sunderland wanted him this season. Aberdeen are in a good place because of him.’