After putting pen to paper on his new contract at Norwich City, goalkeeper Jon McCracken sat down with canaries.co.uk.
canaries.co.uk: Congratulations on signing a new two and a half year deal with the club. Tell us how it feel to commit your future to Norwich City.
JM: Obviously I’m delighted. As soon as there was any talk, I was keen to get it done. I’m buzzing to get it and hopefully it will be another good two and a half years.
canaries.co.uk: You’ve been at the club for quite a few years now. Tell us about your journey up to now.
JM: It’s coming up to six seasons. I’ve been through the ranks with the Under-18s, Under-23s and the first-team. I’m loving it, it’s great and it’s good to see the many lads before me who have made it as professionals. Hopefully I can follow them and keep up that path in the first-team squad.
canaries.co.uk: You’re not the only person who has come through the academy to be around the first-team squad. How special is it to be at a club that gives opportunities to young players?
JM: In the last few years there have been quite a lot of boys stepping up. Being in the same team as Max and Adam all the way through 18s and 23s, it’s good seeing those boys do it. It gives you every hope that that will be you if you do the hard work. There’s no reason why it can’t be.
canaries.co.uk: You’ve had a few injuries in the past, so how have they made you stronger?
JM: The club gives you loads of help behind the scenes with the physios, who are top. It’s a great Category One academy. It’s hard being out for a season, but the club help you with every aspect. Credit to them for giving you the support that you need.
canaries.co.uk: The coaches at the academy have also helped to get you into this position. How indebted are you to them?
JM: I’m forever grateful to all the coaches I’ve had throughout my journey here. A lot have come and gone but it’s been great. It’s a really close family at the club. Everyone knows everyone.
canaries.co.uk: How nice is it to be in and around the first-team now with your mates who you’ve been with for a long time?
JM: When I first joined, Adam joined the same season. We were in digs together for two years, so it’s great that we came through together. Seeing him doing what he’s done has been great and hopefully I can follow that.
canaries.co.uk: What’s it like being part of the first-team squad at Norwich now, where you have great goalkeepers to learn from and a new head coach with new ideas?
JM: The goalie group is great. I’ve been with McGovern at Hamilton for three years before I came to Norwich. We signed at the same time. Gunny came in this year and has been great. It’s a really close group and we push each other every day. Since the gaffer came in, it’s been fresh for everyone and hopefully we can kick on.
When the gaffer and Shakey came in, results picked up and then there were a few tough games against great opponents who, on their day, most teams would struggle against to beat. Coming into the crunch time of the season, hopefully the boys can get the results we need to stay in the league. That’s the objective everyone wants.
canaries.co.uk: What are your aims going forward?
JM: To get games is important, it’s massive, whether it’s for the 23s or going on loan in the summer and seeing what happens.