Jon McLaughlin | It's a great opportunity for me

New signing Jon McLaughlin is determined to make the most of his opportunity at Swansea City after joining the club on a short-term deal.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper has put pen to paper on a contract through to January in SA1, having most recently been on the books at Glasgow Rangers.

The move sees McLaughlin provide competition and cover between the sticks with Andy Fisher currently recovering from groin surgery.

It also sees him get the chance to work with head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson – who this week returned to the Wales national coaching set-up after eight successful years with England – and he is eager to get down to work ahead of Saturday’s game at West Bromwich Albion.

“It’s a pleasure to be here. I am really excited to join the club, it has been a total whirlwind couple of days,” said McLaughlin.

“I was able to be around the boys at the game last night, and have had the chance to train with them today, which has been really good. It’s been great to be out there.

“It has been brilliant to link up with Martyn. I have never worked with him, but I know so much about him and have heard so much about his work from speaking to guys he has worked with in the past.

“It’s great for me, it’s been fantastic already. When you see the person you are going to be working with on a daily basis have that standard and that pedigree, then it plays a big part in your decision.

“He is a great coach and he is only going to make me a better goalkeeper, which is what I am here to do.

“It is a short contract, but it’s a great opportunity and I hope I can come here and show my value and try and turn it into something longer term.

“I hope I can be involved on Saturday, it’s an exciting challenge. The games are coming thick and fast, it will be a challenge going there and I am sure the boys will be looking for a positive result.”

McLaughlin does have some previous history with the Swans, having been part of the Bradford City squad for the 2013 League Cup final.

The Scotland international found himself summoned from the bench when Matt Duke was sent off with the score at 3-0 and 34 minutes still to play.

Whilst McLaughlin was getting himself readied to enter the fray, he was greeted by the sight of Jonathan de Guzman and Nathan Dyer – the latter on a hat-trick – arguing over who would take the spot-kick.

“I know normally to lose a game 5-0 would be a disaster, but for us to Bradford to get to that stage itself, getting past the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa, as a League Two side was incredible,” said McLaughlin, who went on to help the Bantams secure promotion at Wembley later that same season.

“We then came up against Swansea, and that season especially they were flying and I think we would have needed Swansea to have nine players and us to have 11 to have a chance.

“It’s obviously not ideal coming on when you are down to 10 men, but it was an unforgettable experience you won’t forget for a long time.

“With the penalty I can just remember the ref asking me if I was ready to go, I was still trying to get my gloves on and I was looking at De Guzman and Nathan going at it on the penalty spot.

“I was quite glad because is gave me a minute or so to gather myself, although he still stuck away a great penalty.

“But it was an amazing experience all round to be part of that.”