Michael Beale to revisit failed Giovanni van Bronckhorst plan with Allan McGregor – pundit
We’re delighted to welcome Tam McManus as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Jon McLaughlin could return to the number one goalkeeper role at Rangers under Michael Beale, according to Tam McManus.
Allan McGregor failed to impress against Aberdeen, conceding two soft goals before being dropped and replaced by 35-year-old McLaughlin for the 1-0 win over Ross County on 23 December.
McGregor, 40, was back in goals on Wednesday night (28 December) and kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Motherwell at Ibrox.
But McManus believes that Beale could revisit Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s plan to make McLaughlin the main man in between the sticks even though it didn’t work out earlier in the season.
“McLaughlin came in and did well,” McManus told Ibrox News.
“I didn’t think he had much to do, I don’t think he had many big saves to make.
“McGregor was obviously at fault up at Aberdeen with that free-kick when he went the wrong way and the second goal maybe as well.
“One goalkeeper is 40 and the other one is 35 so it’s a battle with a difference for that spot.
“I think van Bronckhorst messed up at the start of the season when he played McLaughlin as his number one.
“I think he’ll maybe stick with McLaughlin now as McGregor hasn’t been too impressive in Beale’s first games.”
McLaughlin started the first six Scottish Premiership games of the season before a shocking performance in the 4-0 defeat to Celtic on 3 September.
His start against Ross County last week was his first start in the league since that Old Firm horror show.
McLaughlin’s contract expires in 2024 while McGregor’s expires at the end of this season.
In other Rangers news, a £5million twist has emerged in Southampton’s bid to sign Ryan Kent.