Jamie MacDonald has been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time after Jon McLaughlin pulled out.

The Kilmarnock goalkeeper takes the spot of Sunderland stopper McLaughlin for the double-header against Albania and Israel.

MacDonald, previously capped by his country at Under 21 level, has been a near ever-present between the sticks for Killie since Steve Clarke took charge at Rugby Park last October.

His form has helped Clarke oversee a turnaround in fortunes in Ayrshire, with the club currently fourth in the Premiership table.

Clarke said: "It's a good reward for Jamie for the level of consistency for Jamie since I came into the club, so I'm delighted for him.

"He's a model professional. He works well every day in training, good in the group, good in the dressing room, uses his experience well.

"So to get called up is a good little boost for Jamie at this stage in his career.

"The main goalkeepers that Scotland have used over the years have always been at a really high level so it's always been difficult for other goalkeepers to get a look in."

MacDonald's impressive displays at club level caught the eye of the national team goalkeeping coach, Stevie Woods, who said back in September that the 32-year-old shot-stopper was on Scotland's radar.

"He's been consistent for a number of years," said Woods.

"I wanted Jamie to know that, just because he wasn't in the first squad, I wasn't going to exclude him from future squads.

"He's been doing himself proud and we just want to acknowledge on the record that we've been keeping an eye on him. He's been excellent with Kilmarnock.

"I had a chat with him when I first got this job to say: 'Keep doing what you're doing. You aren't out of sight, out of mind'.

"I'm mindful of the goalkeeping talent we've got and there are only so many opportunities."

MacDonald joins Rangers' Allan McGregor and Celtic's Craig Gordon as manager Alex McLeish's goalkeeping options for the two crucial games later this month.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross explained McLaughlin's absence. He said: "I spoke to Alex (McLeish) yesterday and had a chat with Jon. I'd never stand in the way of any player playing for their country. I explained to Alex our game was going ahead and Jon is third choice in the Scotland squad, so we agreed that he could be available for us."