Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson believes goalkeeper Jamie Langfield is producing the best football of his career and deserves a Scotland call.
The defender produced a man-of-the-match performance in the 2-0 win over St Mirren on Saturday, aided by Langfield’s superb second-half save to deny substitute Gary Harkins.
The win kept Aberdeen in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership ahead of Saturday’s trip to second-placed Caley Thistle and Anderson is banking on his goalkeeper and the rest of the defence to build on three successive clean sheets.
Anderson said: “It was another clean sheet, but we rode our luck a bit and had Jamie to thank.
“He made a very brave save at Harkins’s feet at the end. I know the Scotland coaches are looking and it can only be a matter of time before they take notice.
“It’s not down to luck or coincidence he is collecting all these clean sheets. For me Jamie is in the best form of his career, in the two spells I have been here this is the best he has played.
“But it’s credit to the organisation and effort throughout the team we have built this clean sheet record.
“Everyone has played their part and we want to keep it going.”
Scott Vernon’s sixth goal of the season and Barry Robson’s first for the Dons secured victory for Aberdeen and Anderson confirmed the terrible conditions had played their part.
He added: “It was always going to be the kind of day when a mistake would lead to a goal and that’s what happened for our first goal.
“It was tricky but I’ve played in worse.
“The wind was the problem and it was difficult when you don’t know if the ball is going to run through or hold up.
“It wasn’t easy for any one, especially defenders dealing with high balls, but fortunately we dealt with it not too badly and we got the win we wanted.
“Scott Vernon led the line really well and deserved to get his goal.
“He’s been on the bench a few times but whether he starts or comes on he has scored some very important goals for us this season. He led the line very well last week against St Johnstone, but didn’t get the rewards.
“This week it paid off and he was unlucky not get a couple.
“I’m delighted for him and long may it continue.”
Marching on, Pages 62, 63