Burton Albion Football Club

Hasselbaink is confident of keeping Scott Shearer

Despite all the speculation of Scott Shearer being recalled by his parent club Crewe Alexandra, Hasselbaink confirmed that the Scottish ‘keeper is still with the club and is confident of keeping the 34-year-old experienced shot-stopper at the Pirelli Stadium.

“He is still here, yes. He is still here.”

Since the arrival of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Jon McLaughlin has been ever-present between the sticks and has put in performances to win games, including two penalty saves in the past two games.

When asked if Shearer was going to be recalled, despite McLaughlin being in top class form Hasselbaink told burtonalbionfc.co.uk “Hopefully not because he is very important to our squad.”

He went on to add “I know he hasn’t been here for a long time but he has bedded in so well in the group.”

Shearer has won six promotions in his past seven seasons – you would struggle to find a goalkeeper with such experience and character I think it’s fair to say! Hasselbaink knows how important experience is in the squad and thinks Shearer brings that kind of experience that players need.

Before Hasselbaink took the reins at Burton Albion, the goalkeeping department was a bit hit and miss, with either of the goalkeepers being able to keep their positions or hold the No.1 jersey.

McLaughlin joined at the start of the season, Siegrist was loaned in from Aston Villa and Lyness was pushing for a starting position. On Hasselbaink’s first day in charge, Dean Lyness broke his leg in training after a clash with Ian Sharps. Chris Wealed joined on loan from Yeovil but soon picked up an injury which then called for an experienced head in the name of Scott Shearer.

“The experience that he brings as well and also we need a second good goalkeeper who is pushing the first one and not just making up the numbers but is ready to play when he is called up for and Scott is doing that.”

With Lyness returning from injury, it would be hard for the Brewers to cover the goalkeeping department if Jon McLaughlin was to pick up an injury at this stage in the season. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink thinks “It would be a very bad thing for us to lose Scott at this moment in time.”