Rangers goalkeeper a doubt for Old Firm clash v Celtic – report
Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor is a doubt for Saturday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic at Parkhead, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claims Steven Gerrard is also unsure of whether Kemar Roofe, Joe Aribo and Filip Helander will be fit to play against the Bhoys while long-term absentee Nikola Katic will definitely miss out.
McGregor, 38, is an unexpected doubt for Rangers.
He was on the bench for the 2-0 win against Ross County in the last match before the international break and had been in stunning form in the Europa League to help the Gers qualify for the group stages.
Although Jon McLaughlin seems to be Gerrard’s number one for the Scottish Premiership at the moment, there’s every chance that McGregor would start against Celtic if he’s available as not many current players have played in as many Old Firm derbies as him.
David Weir has recently said to BBC Sport that McGregor is the greatest goalkeeper he’s played with.
Weir said: “He rose to the occasion, he loves the big games, he’s a winner. When you were lining up for big games and you turned around and he was behind you, you always felt you had a chance.”
McGregor has kept three clean sheets in his five appearances across all competitions for Rangers this season and only conceded two goals – one of which being an own goal by George Edmundson and the other being scored by Galatasaray.
You only have to look at McGregor’s performance in the 4-0 win over Willem II to see how good a goalkeeper he still is.
Kevin Thomson dubbed the goalkeeper’s display as “unbelievable” in that Europa League win while stats by WyScout show the Rangers veteran made five saves, three of which with reflexes.
He’ll be a big miss against Celtic if, for whatever reason, he’s not able to play.
In other Rangers news, Mark McGhee has made a prediction for the Old Firm.