Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has opened up on his admiration for the ‘unbelievable’ Allan McGregor following the veteran goalkeeper’s outstanding performance during Rangers’ Champions League defeat to Liverpool, speaking to talkSPORT (6 October, 9.30am).
It’s probably a little too simplistic to suggest that Rangers simply cannot compete at this level. Yes, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side do not have a point or even a goal to show for their three group-stage fixtures; losing 4-0, 3-0 and 2-0 to Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool.
But it’s not as if Rangers can seriously look themselves in the mirror and say with any justification that they could do no better. Where is the intensity, the drive, the combativeness that underpinned last season’s run to the Europa League final? Those famous and well-deserved wins over RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund?
Mcgregor, 41 in January, is perhaps the only Gers player who has performed anywhere near his peak in Europe’s elite club competition. He saved two penalties against Napoli before turning in another virtuoso performance at Anfield.
Allan McGregor saves Rangers from Liverpool humiliation
“McGregor was unbelievable,” says Lennon, who was replaced at Celtic by Ange Postecoglou a year-and-a-half ago.
“I don’t understand why he wasn’t playing from the start of the season. That’s Gio’s decision. He’s just an unbelievable goalkeeper.”
McGregor returned to Rangers’ XI following a couple of high-profile Jon McLaughlin errors in the humiliating 4-0 defeat at Parkhead in early September. Suddenly, the oldest member of Van Bronckhorst’s squad also looks like the most ‘un-droppable’.
“At every big club – and Celtic and Rangers are no different – once you start getting success the expectation level rises from the supporters,” Lennon adds, backing Rangers to produce a much-improved display when Liverpool arrive in the bubbling cauldron of Ibrox next week.
“People expect them to go to Anfield and get a result. At home against Liverpool, I think they’ll give Liverpool a real game.
“But to get through against PSV (in the qualifiers) was a massive bonus. You’ve just got to enjoy the ride because it’s such a tough group.”
Celtic have just one point so far, losing 3-1 to RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
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