Allan McGregor performed miracles for Rangers to knock Red Star Belgrade out of the Europa League. Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s comments on McGregor, after the match, might just be a hint he could be set to stay.
McGregor, 40, has been criticised at times for his a couple of high-profile mistakes this season. But the Scotland goalkeeper reminded all what he is still capable of, over the two legs against the Serbian outfit as Rangers won.
In the first leg, he kept a clean sheet – despite Red Star having three goals disallowed for offside. McGregor produced a stunning penalty save late on, to make it 3-1. In Serbia, his display was utterly sensational for Rangers.
Red Star had 13 shots on target and scored twice to win 2-1 – but Rangers won 4-2 on aggregate. McGregor repeatedly denied Red Star, including a wonderful double save to deny a certain goal. Van Bronckhorst commented:
“At moments he needs to be there, he is there. I’m really happy with his performances. Even at his age he’s really important for us,” the Rangers gaffer summed up after the match, as quoted by BBC Live’s coverage.
Van Bronckhort hint? Does he want to keep McGregor at Rangers?
The veteran stopper is out of contract at the end of the season, hardly a surprise given his age. But it must be remembered that the 42-time Scotland interational has kept an impressive 15 clean sheets in 36 games this term.
He has only conceded 36 goals, only 19 in 23 Premiership appearances. No decision has been made on his future, or from McGregor on potential retirement. But he is showing all that there is still life in the old dog, yet.
It might also be, that van Bronckhorst is edging towards a new deal for McGregor – if we read between the lines of his post-match comments. Rangers would be foolish not to hand him a new deal, this summer.
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