Allan McGregor joins Rangers 500 club as keeper named to hit milestone vs Dundee United
ALLAN McGregor will join an exclusive club of Rangers legends in a matter of minutes.
The veteran goalkeeper has been named in Michael Beale's starting line-up to face Dundee United - his 500th appearance for the Gers.
This, of course, is McGregor's second spell at Ibrox but it has been no less influential than his first when he picked up 11 honours.
The 41-year-old came off the bench in May last year to add the latest in his medal haul, playing the last few minutes of his one and only Scottish Cup Final appearance so far.
But he has had a string of key moments through the years that have established him as one of the Govan greats.
Sunsport columnist Kris Boyd even rates him above 'The Goalie' Andy Goram as SCOTLAND'S best.
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McGregor also added 42 international caps to a long-serving career which also spanned stints at Dunfermline, St Johnstone, Hull, Cardiff and Besiktas.
But his best form has been reserved for Rangers with some memorable appearances - particularly in Europe standing out.
Fan highlights include a gravity-defying stop against Werder Bremen in 2008 and a stunner against Slavia Prague two years ago, which drew Gordon Banks comparisons from Ally McCoist.
He also saw off two penalties against Napoli in this season's Champions League.
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McGregor made his debut as a substitute against Forfar in the Scottish Cup when Alex McLeish was in charge at Ibrox, and kept a clean sheet in a 6-0 win.
His only other appearance off the bench was in the same competition - last year against Hearts at Hampden.
McGregor will be back between the sticks for the 500th time as a Rangers player when he makes his 29th appearance against the Tangerines today, in front of a packed Ibrox as domestic football resumes after the international break.
Beale is without Nicolas Raskin and long-term injury victims Filip Helander, Kemar Roofe and Tom Lawrence.
But he can put a little more pressure on league leaders Celtic by taking something from this afternoon and closing the gap at the top which currently sits at nine-points ahead of this weekend's game and next weeks' Old Firm clash.
Alfredo Morelos leads the line - one of FIVE in the Gers starting XI with deals expiring at the end of this season. That list includes McGregor as well as Ryan Jack, Ryan Kent and loan signing Malik Tillman.
After his goal at Fir Park Todd Cantwell retains his place and John Lundstram partners Scotland international Jack in the midfield.
Though Ridvan Yilmaz benefitted from extra training during the international break a familiar back-line of James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and Borna Barisic protects McGregor's net.
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The Turkish wing-back is on the bench alongside Fashion Sakala, John Souttar, Scott Arfield and Antonio Colak.
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