JON McLaughlin, who made his Scotland debut in the 1-0 defeat to Mexico in the Azteca Stadium on Saturday night, has admitted that he is unsure where his future lies after Hearts signed Zdenek Zlamal.
McLaughlin, 30, capped an outstanding 2017/18 campaign when he made his first appearance for his country against the Russia 2018 finalists in Central America.
But he remains uncertain if he will return to Tynecastle, where manager Craig Levein has brought in former Czech internationalist Zlamal, as his contract has expired.
“I go back and I have a couple of days in Edinburgh before I go away on a family holiday," he said. "I will get some time off and some much-needed rest. I hope to relax and get a bit of sun because we didn’t get much of that in Peru.
"My future is still uncertain and I still have to figure out where I am going to be playing my football next season. Hopefully my performance against Mexico will be a good advert for myself. I have enjoyed my time at Hearts and would be happy to remain a Hearts player next season.
“But they need to look after themselves and do what is right for them. If I do hear from them then I will see, but I am just waiting to see what calls come to me and what offers come.”
McLaughlin admitted he had been honoured to make his first appearance for Alex McLeish's side in the friendly match against Mexcio in the fabled Azteca Stadium on Saturday.
“It was amazing and a very proud moment for me and the family to represent my country and to get my first full cap," he said. "To do it in the Azteca Stadium in that surrounding and setting just made it even more special.”
“I was nervous obviously because these are big games and more so than your run of the mill league games, your bread and butter. This has the added extra that we all want to do well. We are all desperate to impress.
“When you have time to ponder, like I did ahead of the game, and you know the standard and quality of the opposition you are going to face then of course there were nerves because Mexico are a top team. That just adds to it and makes it a really special night to have been out there.
“I had to pinch myself when I was looking around, playing for Scotland in front of more than 70,000 fans.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here