Allan McGregor was Rangers’ saviour as they sealed their Europa League progression at the expense of Shkupi on Tuesday afternoon.
Well that was probably a little more stressful than it really needed to be.
Rangers have seen off Macedonian minnows Shkupi to reach the next round of the Europa League qualifiers, but the Scottish Premiership giants certainly made hard work of the second leg away from home.
Goals from James Tavernier and the excellent Jamie Murphy gave the Gers a two-goal advantage at Ibrox but they failed to build on that over in Macedonia. Josh Windass and Alfredo Morelos missed gilt-edged chances and the tie could have been a lot different had Allan McGregor not been in fine form between the sticks.
McGregor made three saves in the space of a minute early on and preserved his clean sheet with a fantastic one-on-one stop in the second half. If there were any doubts about the now-36-year-old after he returned to Ibrox on a free from Hull City, this virtuoso display will dispel them in style.
Ahead of his first season in senior management, Steven Gerrard admitted that he was yet to decide on a regular number one with Jak Alnwick and Wes Foderingham also in the frame. But McGregor’s reliable display over two legs against Shkupi could just have sealed his place in the XI.
Not bad for a freebie.
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