Gordon Smith fears for Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor

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Ibrox star Allan McGregor is facing a two-match ban after an incident in Glasgow Rangers’s most recent Scottish Premiership clash.

Gordon Smith has told The Sunday Post that he does not believe that Allan McGregor deserves a ban following an incident in Rangers’ latest league win, but admitted that he fears that the SFA may look to prove a point with their decision on the Gers goalkeeper.

As reported by BBC Sport, McGregor has been charged with violent conduct after an incident in Rangers’ victory at Aberdeen last week which saw the stopper catch Lewis Ferguson on the shin with his studs up as he rushed off his line to collect a ball.

BBC Sport adds that McGregor could now be banned for two games, with a hearing due to take place on Tuesday unless Rangers accept the charge.

Smith believes that McGregor will be unlucky if he gets a ban. But he suggested that the SFA wanting to prove that they are not pro-Rangers may cloud their judgement after not punishing the goalkeeper for an incident involving Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer earlier in the season.

“At first, I thought he might have a case to answer. But, having studied the incident, I think he has gone in with his leg up to protect himself,” he told The Sunday Post. “I can see to a degree why they might consider it deliberate, but goalkeepers regularly jump out with their knee in the air.

“Again, it could be a balancing act. There was no action taken against McGregor for an incident with Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer earlier in the season and a lot of people thought they got that one wrong. This latest incident gives the SFA the chance to ban him at a hearing on Tuesday.”

It would be a blow for Rangers to lose McGregor for two games, especially with star striker Alfredo Morelos also sitting out the next two fixtures following a red card in the same game.

Wes Foderingham is a superb understudy, but McGregor has been an inspired signing for Rangers this season. And with Steven Gerrard’s men potentially needing a flawless run until the end of the season, they could certainly do without losing another of their key men for a couple of games.