Terry Butcher says Rangers duo will benefit from Gareth McAuley

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Steven Gerrard brought McAuley to Rangers in September.

Gareth McAuley’s move to Rangers was finally completely in September after the transfer window, as he became a free agent following his release from West Bromwich Albion –and Terry Butcher has told the Glasgow Evening Times how he will be crucial off the pitch.

The 38-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to Ibrox, after turning out 516 times at senior level. 203 of those appearances came in the Premier League with West Brom.

McAuley made his debut for Rangers after finally getting back to match fitness, coming on in the final minute of the loss to Spartak Moscow. He then played a half of the 7-1 win over Motherwell on Sunday.

A 79-time international with Northern Ireland, McAuley adds a wealth of experience to West Brom’s side. Former Ramgers captain Butcher reckons it will prove key off the pitch, for duo Ross McCrorie and Joe Worrall.

“If you have got a good experienced pro there then the other players will certainly learn from him,” Butcher said. “Ross McCrorie will learn from him, other young players will learn from him.

“They will see what he does, how he behaves. You don’t get to play in the Premier League for so long and play international football for so long being a bad pro. He will have good habits on and off the pitch which players can look at.

“I have heard nothing but good things about Joe. He is certainly a good player for Scotland – he is very competitive and gets stuck in. You need that. Having Gareth there will only make him a better player.”

Worrall, 21, has been criticised of late for his performances after displacing Nikola Katic alongside Connor Goldson. The Nottingham Forest loanee has started five of Rangers’ last six Scottish Premiership matches.

Meanwhile, McCrorie has managed three minutes of league action in the last six outings, remaining an unused sub in three, omitted from the 18-man squad completely in two, and coming on for three minutes against Hamilton.

McAuley is with the Northern Ireland squad as Michael O’Neill prepares his side to face Ireland on Thursday and Austria on Sunday. Rangers are next in action on November 24, playing host to Livingston at Ibrox.