Everton mistake? Brown likens Ruddy to Goram, Leighton

Motherwell boss Craig Brown rates on-loan Everton goalkeeper John Ruddy among the best he's worked with.

He believes Ruddy, 23, can emulate the exploits of Scotland legends Jim Leighton and Andy Goram.

The Well manager - who wants to secure a deal that will keep the Everton ace at Fir Park next season - said: "John is top class. By the time I got Leighton and Goram, they were a lot older than Ruddy is now.

"You don't excel as a goalkeeper until your late 20s.

"Goram had been at Oldham, Hibs, Rangers and Scotland by then. Jim had 91 caps and 45 shutouts for Scotland. At the moment Ruddy is showing the potential to be, eventually, as good as these guys.

"Andy always said you can't identify a goalkeeper until he has played with a big club. We're not. I'd like us to be, but we're not. Andy was referring to how excellent Craig Gordon is, but added he is not with a big club where there is the real test - playing at the top in Europe.

"Jim did it with Manchester United and Aberdeen. Andy did it with Rangers. You're a top keeper when you play at a big club and don't make mistakes. John will get there and his route will be down to David Moyes.

"David holds his destiny and he knows we'd like to keep him on an extended loan because we can't afford to buy him.

"We'd be giving him a profile and experience, but he's a big lad with a nice partner from England.

"There is always the lure of going home and that's the Cambridge area for him."