Ally McCoist: Allan McGregor has another year for Rangers, will be ‘scared’ to end
Ally McCoist has tipped Rangers keeper Allan McGregor for another year in goal at Ibrox, and puts his recent form down to being “scared to give it up”.
The 40-year-old was criticised earlier this year after making some notable errors which lead to goals conceded against the likes of Ross County and Motherwell, generating speculation over his future.
But two excellent performances this month against Red Star Belgrade have got ex-Gers hero McCoist of the opinion that he can keep going yet.
Speaking on BT Sport Scottish Football Extra, via Football Scotland the former striker said: “We’re quick to write people off and McGregor has been an unbelievable servant to Scottish football and indeed Rangers. On current form, he looks as though he has another year in him.
“There’s something about when you get towards the end of your career and that’s what McGregor’s going through.
“When you get to the end of your career, you’re scared to give it up. You train harder and there’s a realism that this could be the last one ever and that’s what Allan McGregor is going through right now.
“I’ll bet he’s training as hard as ever, he’s looking after himself and he won’t want it to end. Fair play to him.”
Evergreen
You’re only as good as your last few performances, so the Gers number one will have to keep up this form to avoid doubts.
Jon McLaughlin was in goal for the cup win at Dundee last weekend, and perhaps rotation would actually benefit the senior man.
For someone to have done anything for as long as McGregor has would clearly lead to trepidation over it ending.
Arsene Wenger famously once said that “retirement equals death” (Irish Independent) as his long reign at Arsenal came into question.
How Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side finish this season is sure to have a strong bearing on any decision being made in the summer.
Major success, particularly in Europe, might convince him to hang up his gloves and go out on a high.
He is certainly playing like lifting the continent’s second trophy is his main aim right now, most notably with his penalty save at Ibrox recently.
But Champions League football is on offer for the winners of that title, and the Scottish Premiership, so if either is won, a chance to feature in the main tournament again for the first time in over a decade could be too much of a draw to say no to.
In other Rangers news, the club could be in line to benefit from a post-split controversy this season.