Defender Jack Baldwin says Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw should be playing for Scotland
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JACK Baldwin reckons it is time for Scotland head coach Steve Clarke to consider taking Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw into the national squad.
The Staggies’ vice-captain has been blown away by Laidlaw’s contribution this season in extremely difficult circumstances.
While the Dingwall team so far holds the Premiership’s second worst goals against record – 18 from 10 matches, better than Kilmarnock only – Laidlaw’s consistency and big saves at crucial moments have helped them accrue valuable points.
Among the big moments were saves in the 1–0 win over Kilmarnock in August, September’s scoreless draw in Perth, and during Saturday’s crucial win and clean sheet at Livingston.
Notably, Laidlaw denied Livi’s Ayo Obileye at point-blank range to preserve the lead.
In all, no Scottish Premiership goalkeeper has made more saves than Laidlaw’s 33 so far.
Other statistics also compare favourably for the ex-Hibs and Raith man in a league that contains Scotland veterans Craig Gordon and David Marshall, as well as ex-England international Joe Hart and current Scots squad members Jon McLaughlin and Liam Kelly.
Baldwin, just grateful to have Laidlaw behind him and in such good form, is in no doubt about his team-mate’s international potential.
“Ross is in great form at the minute. It was hard on occasions for him in the Hibernian and Motherwell games, where us, as defenders, don’t help him out,” Baldwin said.
“But some of the saves he has pulled off over the last few weeks, and right through this season and last, have kept us ahead in games or kept us on track for points.
“I don’t see why he shouldn’t be in the reckoning for Scotland, given that kind of form.
“He’s been fantastic for us and I’m sure if Scotland comes calling he will be fantastic for the international team as well.”
Laidlaw is 29-years-old, a mere youngster compared to Hearts’ Gordon at 39.
Other statistics this season underline his worth to Malky Mackay and his squad, who host bottom side Dundee United this weekend.
Despite County’s difficulties, Laidlaw is joint fifth for clean sheets with three, just two poorer than the current best, Celtic’s Hart.
That ranks him above Hearts’ Gordon, who has managed just one.
He is sixth in terms of save percentage, ranking above Rangers McLaughlin and is joint second with Gordon for saves per 90 minutes.
Ross County haven’t beaten Dundee United at home in the league since 2015 when scorers in a 2-1 triumph were Liam Boyce and Andrew Davies.
The Tannadice visitors, after great managerial upheaval – five managers in the last two years and two in the current troubled season – came storming back to form under Liam Fox at the weekend with a shock 4–0 home win over Aberdeen.
