Skip to main content

Allan McGregor handed firm Rangers support by Michael Beale as Ibrox veteran branded 'best keeper in Scotland'

The veteran stopper has been swapped with Jon McLaughlin regularly throughout the campaign.

(Image: SNS Group)

Michael Beale has backed Allan McGregor to remain his Rangers No.1 after insisting the veteran Ibrox stopper is still the best keeper in Scotland.

The 40-year-old found himself playing second fiddle to Jon McLaughlin at the start of the season under former boss Gio van Bronckhorst. His glove rivals’ infamous Old Firm howler at Parkhead back in September paved the way for a return but new boss Beale has made sure to test out both men in action since taking over last month.


With third-choice back-up Robby McCrorie promised he'll get a chance to impress when he returns from injury early next month, it appears McGregor will have to get used to taking time off. But Beale insists former Scotland ace McGregor has no issue with his rotation policy and knows fine well he rates him the best keeper in the country. Steven Gerrard’s former assistant declared: “Allan McGregor is the best goalie in Scotland.


READ MORE: Rangers transfer state of play as Morgan Whittaker offer 'turned down' while Todd Cantwell options open upREAD MORE: Transfer news LIVE as Celtic and Rangers plus Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs eye signings

"Me and Allan have got an unbelievable trust, built up over a long period of time. He knows that every now and then, I'm going to say to him, 'OK Al, rest up this one and play this one'. But the majority of the time he'll play. In my opinion he is the No.1 goalkeeper in Scotland and I think we’re not far off from having that with the other couple that we have in the building.

“I get when people say, ’Allan McGregor, you leave him out', but he's completely up to speed with everything that is going on. He's a really mature man. He thinks about the whole club, the whole team, not just himself, and that's why he's been such a top professional.”

Article continues below

McGregor was benched for last week’s win at Tannadice but was back between the sticks at Hampden, where two crucial extra-time stops helped Rangers edge past Aberdeen to book a Viaplay Cup final showdown with Celtic on February 26. Beale said: “I thought he showed it again on Sunday.

"He was a little bit angry he had to do a little bit more than what he would like to have done. He's our No.1, but Jon and Robby are two excellent goalkeepers.

“I know there's a lot written about, 'you have to have your No.1’ but I think that's a bit old fashioned. The way modern game's going, at different times you look at people and you think they might need a little break and someone else to come back in.

Article continues below

“That's what I'm paid to do and if I get the majority of those decisions right, I'll stay in a job and if I don't, I won't. I'm a big boy.”

READ NEXT

READ MORE: Christian Ramirez flies out as Aberdeen transfer exit nears with Columbus Crew set to complete dealREAD MORE: Dermot Gallagher gives Rangers and Celtic verdict as he claims Kent and Giakoumakis deserve punishmentREAD MORE: The differing Ryan Kent red card verdicts as Aberdeen stance 'surprises' and Chris Sutton wades inREAD MORE: Szymon Wlodarczyk kicks Celtic transfer door open as wanted man insists it's time to leave PolandREAD MORE: Kemar Roofe in Rangers injury update as striker admits 'footballing gods are testing me'
Follow Daily Record:


Allan McGregorScotland football teamRangers FCMichael BealeLeague CupJon McLaughlin
reach logo

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.