Richard Foster lauded Allan McGregor on BBC Sportsound for ‘proving his worth’ in goal as Rangers eliminated Red Star Belgrade from the Europa League in the last 16 on aggregate.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men clung onto their first-leg advantage to reach the quarter-finals 4-2 after losing the reverse fixture 2-1. Mirko Ivanic broke the deadlock for the home side after 10 minutes, but McGregor stopped the Serbian champions building on the lead.
Ryan Kent’s deflected effort early in the second-half effectively ensured the Gers’ place in Friday’s quarter-final draw at 11:00 GMT. And Ben Nabouhane’s penalty in stoppage-time may have sealed the Rajko Mitic Stadium outfit the win on the night, but not overall glory.
Van Bronckhorst firmly had McGregor to thank for keeping Red Star Belgrade from pulling clear of Rangers at times. Like in the first-leg, the 40-year-old saved the Gers from shipping another straight after Ivanic scored as he tipped the 28-year-old’s next hit around the post.
The Star kept the Edinburgh-native busy all night as McGregor set a Europa League record. He is now the oldest goalkeeper to make at least 11 saves in a single game, per BBC Sport. They were also the most in a knockout tie since Karl-Johan Johnsson (13) in August 2020.
Foster felt Rangers star Allan McGregor was ‘proving his worth’ at Red Star
McGregor left former Rangers defender Foster in awe with his efforts between the sticks at Red Star Belgrade on Thursday. His save to deny Cristiano Piccini just before half-time, in particular, drawing his praise after the full-back sought to send a curling effort home.
“Another fantastic save,” Foster said. “We knew he was going to have to be good tonight, and he’s proving his worth.”
It did not take Red Star long to get going in the second period, either, before the Belgrade outfit tested McGregor as Rangers began the half shaky. Van Bronckhorst’s men were at sixes and sevens trying to defend a corner, to allow their hosts another sight of goal.
But McGregor just got to the ball in time to keep a threatening shot out at full stretch with his fingertips. A save Foster felt was the stopper’s best of the night to that stage, adding:
“I think this might be the best save of the night – it comes at him so quick. It might not be going in, but if he doesn’t get a touch, then there’s a Red Star player waiting to tap it in.”
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