Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been a consistent performer for Steven Gerrard this season.
Former Rangers ace Ronald Waterreus has claimed that Allan McGregor has lasted this long at the club because he is ‘mentally tough’.
The 37-year-old, who played at Ibrox during the noughties, returned to the club in the summer when Steven Gerrard arrived and he has since re-established himself as the club’s number one shot-stopper.
McGregor has been a key player in between the sticks for the Gers as they have shown signs of improvements under Gerrard, but have been unable to make a real mark in any of the domestic competitions or the Scottish Premiership.
Waterreus, who competed with McGregor for Rangers’ number one jersey when they were both at the club over ten years ago, spoke highly about why his goalkeeping counterpart has been able to survive in the ‘big club’ environment.
“I always thought he was pretty good as a young man. Actually, not pretty good, he was very good,” said Waterreus, as quoted by Herald Scotland. “I remember him being a very dedicated young goalkeeper. And he was also willing to learn
“Mental toughness is 95 per cent of it for a goalkeeper and Allan clearly has that. Sure, you need athletic ability and talent. That’s obviously part of it. But if you are not mentally strong enough to be there, to stay there and perform every three days, you will never make it to that level.
“There is no way you can stay in goal for a big club if you are not mentally tough. No way.”
The Gers will be preparing themselves for a big clash on Sunday because they travel to Parkhead to take on their bitter rivals Celtic in what is the first of two Old Firm derbies before the season draws to a close.
During the reverse fixture, Gerrard’s side recorded a 1-0 win over the Bhoys as they moved level on points with their neighbours before heading off for their mid-winter break.
But since their return, Celtic have gone from strength to strength and Rangers have dropped a number of costly points and are now 10 points behind Neil Lennon’s side in the table.
Nonetheless, over the course of the season, McGregor has played 28 Premiership games for the club, conceding 21 goals and helping his side secure 11 clean sheets in the process [transfermarkt].
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