Malky Mackay confident Ross Laidlaw is putting himself in contention for international honours – but stops short of telling Steve Clarke to pick the Ross County goalkeeper
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Malky Mackay believes Ross Laidlaw is putting himself in national squad contention with his performances for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
After a stand-out performance against Celtic last weekend, Staggies supporters took to social media to question why the 31-year-old had not been named by national team manager Steve Clarke in his latest Scotland squad.
Having worked at the Scottish FA as performance director, and taking charge of the men’s national team for an interim spell, Mackay was loathe to suggest Clarke was wrong for not including Laidlaw for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Norway.
Instead, he focused on the progress Laidlaw has made since becoming County’s undisputed number one a little over 18 months ago – and says the former Hibernian shot-stopper has at the very least made himself a contender.
“I’ve obviously worked at the Scottish FA, and I know Steve Clarke well.” Mackay explained.
“I also know what it’s like when people try to talk to you about who you should have in the squad, so I’m not in any shape or form going to tell Steve Clarke who to pick.
“He has done a fabulous job, and it’s a group that are breaking records right now.
“On Ross, I’ve talked to him over the last year about putting his stamp and personality on the game. If he keeps doing that, he’s Scottish, 6’5 and he’s played hundreds of games in the Premiership.
“I’ve seen him constantly improve in his shot stopping, as well as in coming for crosses, and the way he’s playing has made him an established Premiership goalkeeper.
“If he keeps doing that, then he’s giving options to someone, and that’s what he needs to keep doing.
“If he keeps doing what he has over the last 18 months, he certainly will be that.”
