ANALYSIS: Should Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw be in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad as he outshines Hearts’ Craig Gordon and Kilmarnock’s Robby McCrorie?
Don Cowie is convinced in-form goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw still has plenty of time to force his way into Steve Clarke’s international plans.
The Ross County manager wants his no 1 to draw inspiration from Craig Gordon’s career longevity as the Staggies’ late starter continues to impress in the Premiership.
Cowie also insists we haven’t yet seen the best of the 32-year-old former Hibs and Raith Rovers shotstopper.
Only Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel and Rangers’ Jack Butland have recorded more league clean sheets than the County mainstay this season.
Save percentage stats also single out Laidlaw as the top Scot in the top-flight, with a 62.5 per cent stop rate outshining recent Scotland picks Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock), Craig Gordon (Hearts) and Jon McCracken (Dundee).
Laidlaw was overlooked by Clarke in Monday’s squad selection for the remaining two Nations League group games against Croatia and Poland.
Almost a year ago, Scotland assistant manager John Carver spoke of Laidlaw being “mentioned in discussions” as possible back-up goalkeeper for Angus Gunn at the Euro finals.
In the event, Motherwell’s Liam Kelly and Hearts’ Zander Clark were chosen with Craig Gordon injured.
Clarke’s current choices, with Gunn injured and Dundee’s Jon McCracken losing favour, were Gordon, McCrorie and surprise inclusion Cieran Slicker of Ipswich Town.
Slicker, at 22, is yet to play a league match for The Tractor Boys, but seen as one to tie down as a Scot for future
Cowie said: “If you’re a fan of Ross County, you’ve got eyes on Ross and see what he does every week.
“I’m sure Steve is well aware of Ross Laidlaw.
“It’s about Ross just being the best version of himself, pushing himself and demanding more of himself every time he plays.
“He’s a really consistent, good goalkeeper in the Premiership, but he can be even better.
“That’s up to him in terms of striving, potentially, to get into the international set-up.
“It is not to be despondent by the fact he’s not in there.
“The latest talk about his Scotland chances probably comes on the back of a really good performance from him on Saturday away to St Mirren.
It’s about him keeping his head down and keeping doing well, but as I say, still trying to improve and get better.”
Cowie is clear that age should be no barrier to a Scotland future for Laidlaw, who spent much of his 20s as understudy to other keepers at Raith and Hibs.
The breakthrough came after moving to Dingwall where he has since made 173 appearances in five years.
Cowie believes Laidlaw is getting better with age and added: “Ross is relatively young in terms of being a goalkeeper. He’s just in his early 30s so there are plenty of years left for him.
“That can be his inspiration, someone like Craig Gordon, when you look at what he is doing at his age, still playing at a very high level.
“I’ll always keep trying to push Ross. He’s played a lot of games now and it has come a wee bit later in his career in terms of being a number one.
“It is about refusing to stand still and about pushing himself and everyone around him.
“He’s an experienced goalkeeper and he needs to lead, just like everyone else.”
