LONG TERM GLOVE AFFAIRS
Jon’s taken long road to top but he’ll never forget clubs who moulded him
Harrogate Town’s class of 2007 reunion will have one ex-player missing.
To be fair to Jon McLaughlin, starring for Rangers and Scotland isn’t a bad excuse for not being there.
Back in his part-time days, the keeper couldn’t possibly have predicted where he’d be 13 years on. At Harrogate Railway Athletic, then Town, McLaughlin was just trying to make his way in the game.
An Ibrox legend, Stuart McCall, gave him his big break at Bradford City – and he hasn’t looked back since.
Now, he’s challenging for the Rangers’ No.1 jersey with Allan McGregor as well as having an eye on being Steve Clarke’s first pick for Scotland.
It’s changed days for the 32-year-old who – because of where he’s come from – will never take his job or the lifestyle he’s got for granted.
McLaughlin, who was born in Edinburgh then brought up in Saudi Arabia before moving to Yorkshire, said: “To be playing for Rangers and Scotland was never in the grand plan.
“At the age of 18 to 20, I was in full-time education at university and working. I was just playing for enjoyment.
“It was a hobby. I certainly didn’t envisage that 10 or 12 years down the line, I would have a couple of international caps and be playing for a massive club like Rangers.
“It’s been a great journey and I’m fortunate that I’ve been given opportunities along the way. The first was from Stuart.
“He gave me a chance to turn professional at Bradford. From there, it’s been a long journey but hopefully one that is still on an upward path.”
From that humble start in Harrogate, McLaughlin’s story is remarkable.
He’d love to go back and see old pals but right now he’s busy trying to win a Premiership title with Gers and help his country reach the Euro Finals.
He said: “There’s a fair bit of stuff online where some of the guys at Harrogate are trying to organise a reunion.
“I follow all my former teams. Harrogate Town just got promoted and it’s great to see them starting to build.
“When I was at Harrogate Railway before that, the pitches were open to anyone who wanted to walk in but nobody wanted to walk in unfortunately!
“There were a couple of men and a dog watching games so it’s the polar opposite to now.
“It’s great to be where I am now and hopefully it means I’ll never take it for granted.
“I have an appreciation for what I have now. I know first hand the difference between lifestyles from then and now – and the hours you have to dedicate to it.
“It gave me a good grounding and you think: ‘I don’t want to go back there’.
“It gives you that fire to make sure you do everything to improve. I know I’m in a privileged position, how long it has taken and how quickly it can all go away again.
“It gives me motivation every day to keep my standards up and hopefully my career can continue at this level.
“I don’t think any of the Harrogate lads are playing pro football now. We’re talking about quite a few levels below the National League in England so it was part-time boys.
“We try to stay in contact but I don’t get down too often. I don’t get the chance to get involved in the reunions but it would be great to go back.”
McLaughlin was expected to play second fiddle to McGregor when he joined from Sunderland in the summer.
An injury to his team-mate opened the door and he’s now in possession of the jersey. He hopes starting for Steven Gerrard’s side could tempt national team gaffer Clarke to give him the nod for the Nations League games against Israel and the Czech Republic next week.
The former Hearts keeper said: “I hope playing for Rangers increases Steve’s opinion of me. I’m proud to be called up and I’ll turn up for
Scotland with the same mindset as I’ve always had.
“David Marshall is the regular No.1 and is still playing at a good level after joining Derby.
“Sometimes as a goalkeeper you have to bide your time but I’m in a good place and feel up to the task.
“Allan has been great to me at Rangers, we have a good relationship.
It has been an easy transition coming here and one of the reasons I joined was Allan’s experience.
“The chance to work with someone like him every day will only make me a better keeper. He’s back from injury now but we get on well and we will see what happens from here.”
I know privil I’m in eged a .. it mo positio tivates n to keep me my stand ards up