James Tavernier defends Rangers teammate Allan McGregor from ‘unjust’ criticism
Rangers captain James Tavernier has stood up for goalkeeper Allan McGregor after the 40-year-old was criticised following the 2-2 draw against Motherwell.
Charlie Nicholas was one of many pundits who slammed the Scottish international in the Express saying, “He should have hung his gloves up at the end of last season.”
The skipper wasn’t going to sit back and let his teammate take this kind of stick and has backed McGregor to come through this sticky patch of form.
“I think it’s unjust. Greegsy is a top keeper and has been since he’s come back to us,” Tavernier said, as quoted by Football Scotland.
“He’s pulled off massive saves for us in the past and he can’t stop every goal. We’re in at as a team.
“When he’s in the net we’re relying on him and he’s a good leader in the team. He’s got all of our backing.”
Not long left
At 40 years of age, McGregor is very close to the end of his career and Giovanni van Bronckhorst needs to look to the future sooner rather than later.
Jon McLaughlin has signed a new deal at the club and could replace his fellow scot between the sticks but a new signing may be on the cards in the summer.
The Daily Record think that Well ‘keeper Liam Kelly could be a good option to take the gloves off McGregor next season with the 26-year-old helping Graham Alexander’s side to a draw at Ibrox on Sunday.
Nostalgia may have kept him at the club for one season too many and we are now suffering from his form dipping dramatically and it cannot continue.
van Bronckhorst has to take him out of the firing line and give McLaughlin his chance at the big time before splashing the cash on a new shot-stopper ahead of next season.
In other Rangers news, five senior players have been ruled out of the Gers’ midweek game against St. Johnstone.