Rangers player told he needs to leave to be first choice, at Ibrox and for Scotland

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Barry Ferguson has told Go Radio that Robby McCrorie needs to leave Rangers on loan if he is to stand any chance of becoming first choice at Ibrox, and with Scotland. The youngster has been called-up by Steve Clarke during this break.

McCrorie, now 24, has still only played two times for the senior Rangers side as he remains third choice at Ibrox. Last season, he remained at Rangers despite being below Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin in the goalkeeping rankings.

He did play twice, in two crucial games. He kept a clean sheet against Alashkert in Europa League qualifying, and then another clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Celtic. But those appearances are his only two for the senior Rangers side.

During the 2020-21 campaign, McCrorie spent the season on loan at Livingston. He managed to play 26 times, but only kept four clean sheets. However, he has been called-up by Clarke for this international break’s Scotland fixtures.

With McGregor staying and McLaughlin now first choice – albeit, despite McGregor’s penalty heroics against Napoli – McCrorie is still third in the pecking order. Ibrox legend Ferguson feels he needs to go out on loan in January.

“He needs to go and play. He has the potential to be a Rangers no.1 in the future, and Scotland. But he has to go and get that experience. He’s only played two first team games for Rangers so he can to go out and play.

“If he does that, he’ll improve, as I think he has all the attributes to be a top goalkeeper. If that means leaving a big club for six months, 12 months, go and get the experience,” Ferguson told Go Radio on Wednesday.

Ferguson: McCrorie needs to leave Rangers on loan

Ferguson is correct in stating that McCrorie needs to leave on loan. He is now 24, and is out of contract at Ibrox at the end of the season. It was a mistake not sending him out on loan in the summer, given he will remain on the sidelines.

With his contract due to expire, if he has any chance of making it at Rangers and indeed, with Scotland, he needed to prove that. The best way would have been by going out on loan. A January loan could still salvage his chances.

Join a Scottish Premiership side, impress, and then return next summer. With McGregor more than likely to retire and McLaughlin hardly pulling up any trees, McCrorie could still have the chance to be the club’s future no.1.