RYAN JACK has seen Jon McLaughlin make a case to become first choice goalkeeper at Rangers this season.
Now he knows he will put up the same fight with David Marshall as Scotland boss Steve Clarke deliberates over who to start between the sticks at Hampden.
McLaughlin has joined up with the national squad having kept six consecutive clean sheets for Rangers in the Premiership after standing in for Allan McGregor.
The gloves are up for grabs against Israel and the Czech Republic and Jack knows his Ibrox compatriot is in fine form.
He said: “Jon has been excellent. Greegsy had a knock and that is how Jon has got his chance and he has been excellent.
“I had been in squads before with Jon so I knew what he was capable of and I am sure he will be pushing and trying to be number one.
“But David Marshall has been a very strong goalkeeper over the years and I am sure he will want to be number one as well.
“It is tough competition all over the pitch and that is the way it should be at international level.
“I don’t know if it really affects goalkeepers that much how much football they play. The only thing I can say is that I have played with both internationally and now Jon at club level and they are both top, top goalkeepers.
“I am sure they will both be fighting to get the number one spot.”
“He is a great lad, a very good lad, and he has come in and been very professional on and off the park. He does everything right and it is what you need in the dressing room.
“You need boys that can show that day in, day out the way they go about their job and their work. It is not just that side of it, it is obviously his talent as well because he is a very good goalkeeper. It is no surprise to me to see him come in and hit the ground running and do so well.
“You still have Greegsy at Rangers, who last year probably won us so many points by himself with the saves he made at crucial times. It is great for us at club level to have two top class goalkeepers.”
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