Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray makes a brutally honest admission over his 'interest' in ex-Sunderland stopper Jon McLaughlin

Tony Mowbray has admitted that he ‘didn’t even know the name’ Jon McLaughlin until last week – having confirmed that he wasn’t in the market for the former Sunderland stopper.
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McLaughlin penned a two-year contract with Scottish giants Rangers earlier this week having turned down the offer of a new deal at Sunderland.

And while Blackburn were mentioned as long-term admirers of the 32-year-old, Mowbray has poured cold water on those suggestions – stating that he was never on Blackburn’s radar.

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“I think that was very much agent driven – he’d never been on my radar to be honest," Mowbray said, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph.

Blackburn Rovers were not in the race for former Sunderland stopper Jon McLaughlin, according to manager Tony MowbrayBlackburn Rovers were not in the race for former Sunderland stopper Jon McLaughlin, according to manager Tony Mowbray
Blackburn Rovers were not in the race for former Sunderland stopper Jon McLaughlin, according to manager Tony Mowbray

“I hear these things, people tell me, my head of recruitment tells me when these snippets are in the papers or on websites.

“I didn’t even know the name until last week when he was mentioned to me, I hadn’t sat and watched him, I hadn’t started preparing things.

“With total respect to him, I didn’t know him, I’m sure he’s a very good goalie, but he was never on our radar.”

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The Championship side are in the market for a new stopper this summer, with current number one Christian Walton set to return to parent club Brighton & Hove Albion. Backup stopper Jayson Leutwiller is also expected to be released.

Sunderland, too, will now be in the market for a new goalkeeper - with Phil Parkinson confirming this week that he would see to add another experienced ‘keeper to his ranks. A number of names, including Ben Alnwick, remain on his radar.