Rangers have conceded just eight league goals this season while Celtic have shipped 21
Rangers have been urged not to to hang on to Allan McGregor and avoid the goalkeeping confusion that has dogged Celtic’s season.
Neil Lennon has been unable to settle on a regular keeper this season, with £5m summer signing Vasilis Barkas having failed to impress.
He was replaced by Conor Hazard for a spell which included the Scottish Cup Final, but the 22-year-old failed to hold down a permanent place and Scott Bain has worn the gloves in recent weeks.
That lack of stability in goals has been a factor in the champions conceding 21 league goals this season.
Across Glasgow, Allan McGregor has been the first name on the teamsheet.
Despite having recently turned 39, McGregor has been in superb form and played a major role in Steven Gerrard’s side having lost just eight Premiership goals.
Although it was McGregor’s own goal that cost the runaway league leaders two points against Hamilton on Sunday, that moment came at the end of a game which saw the keeper make several saves and earn the Man of the Match award.
Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has urged Gerrard to keep hold of McGregor beyond the end of the current campaign, with Open Goal podcast host Si Ferry pointing towards the issues that Celtic’s goalkeeping uncertainty has caused.
Speaking on Go Radio, Ferguson said: “I hope he doesn’t decide to call it a day at the end of the season.
“I know he’s 39 now but he looks to me as fit as he’s ever been.
“If he wants to go out on top, because it looks like Rangers are going to win the league, but listen I hope the manager sits him down and forces his hand to stay another season.
“To replace Allan McGregor would cost you an absolute fortune, believe me.
“Jon McLaughlin has done well when he has come in but he’s not had a lot to do.
“It’s something I thought about yesterday, what if Allan McGregor decides to go out on top, but look I think the manager will be trying to force his hand.
“He’s got to because he’s so big a player and that was proven yesterday (against Hamilton).”
Ferry added: “We’ve seen how hard Celtic have found it to replace Fraser Forster, who for me is a top-class goalie at this level.”
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