Jon McLaughlin, a towering goalkeeper with a Scottish heart, was born on this day. His journey through the world of professional football is a testament to perseverance, skill, and a bit of luck.
McLaughlin’s journey began at Bradford City where he made his professional debut at the young age of 18. He quickly became a fan favorite, playing a crucial role in their 2013 League Two Play-Off Final victory, earning them promotion to League One.
Following a contract dispute, McLaughlin moved on to Burton Albion in League Two. He had a remarkable impact, helping the Brewers earn another promotion in his debut season. McLaughlin flourished at Burton, playing over 130 games in a three-year stint, establishing himself as a reliable goalkeeper.
After a brief stint at Hearts, McLaughlin was reunited with his former manager, Jack Ross, at Sunderland. He was part of a Scottish contingent, including Chris Maguire and Dylan McGeough, who were all aiming for promotion. McLaughlin’s calm presence in goal proved invaluable as they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion, ultimately reaching the play-off final. He was a steady performer but faced criticism from some fans in his second season.
Phil Parkinson‘s arrival brought a change in goalkeeping duties. While Lee Burge initially replaced McLaughlin in the starting lineup, McLaughlin was brought back due to an injury and played for the remainder of the season.
At the end of the season, McLaughlin left Sunderland on a free transfer to Rangers, a move that some considered a mistake for the Black Cats. They were left with an unconvincing Lee Burge in goal, while McLaughlin proved his worth elsewhere.
McLaughlin’s move to Rangers was a success. He had an impressive start, keeping an astounding eleven clean sheets in his first twelve matches. He initially served as backup to Allan McGregor, a seasoned veteran. However, McLaughlin became the first-choice keeper under manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and continued to perform well.
The tide has turned slightly under the current manager, Michael Beale. Rangers signed Jack Butland this summer, which has relegated McLaughlin to the bench. Despite his lack of playing time, he remains at the club, but his future at Ibrox seems uncertain.
Jon McLaughlin’s career has been filled with ups and downs, but his dedication and skill have earned him a place in the history books. From Bradford to Rangers, his journey is a reminder of the resilience and determination needed to succeed in the world of professional football.
