Kris Boyd expects Rangers to buy new goalkeeper if Allan McGregor leaves
The future of Allan McGregor is more than uncertain and the Rangers icon needs to make his mind up soon with his contract nearing expiration.
That agreement will come to an end on 30 June and he will become a free agent if he decides not to stay at Ibrox which would leave Jon McLaughlin as the club’s de facto number one between the sticks.
The 34-year-old was the main choice for the Light Blues’ Scottish Cup campaign as they went on to beat Hearts after extra time in the final but rarely featured in Premiership or Europa League matches.
Former Gers striker Kris Boyd is not convinced however that McLaughlin is ready to be the club’s number one for an entire season and expects a new man to come in if McGregor does leave the club.
“Jon McLaughlin has shown that he can step in,” Boyd said to Sky Sports. “Whether he’s ready to go on and play a full season for Rangers is a different story.
“You would imagine that if Allan McGregor doesn’t sign a new contract, then Rangers will bring in another goalkeeper.
“If you’d asked a few months ago I’d have said this was his last season but the way he finished the season means he probably wants more of it.”
Bang on
As you might expect, Boyd is absolutely right to question McLaughlin’s ability to be our definite number one because it takes a lot of mental strength to play every single week in goal.
He hasn’t really shown enough to suggest that he can handle that pressure and there isn’t much in the way of quality behind him so they will need to bring in a new shot-stopper regardless.
So why would you bring someone in to be the backup when you could get a brand-spanking-new number one who could not only walk straight into the side but also keep the gloves for years to come.
At 34 years of age, McLaughlin doesn’t have that many years left in him and we would just end up replacing him after a year or two anyway.
There’s no point in waiting to do that so let’s go out now and make a statement with a major new signing who can be our man between the sticks for a good seven or eight years.
In other Rangers news, McGregor may have a very big offer from the Middle East should he decide Glasgow is not the place for him.