BBC pundit baffled by Michael Beale comments on Rangers keeper Jon McLaughlin
Richard Foster believes Michael Beale has set Jon McLaughlin up to fail after suggesting the Rangers keeper was good at claiming crosses.
McLaughlin has been caught out in recent weeks when it comes to retrieving high balls, with Ross County’s equaliser on Saturday coming from the 35-year-old failing to gather a delivery into his area.
BBC Scotland pundit Foster feels Beale’s comments haven’t helped the former Sunderland keeper, along with the constant rotation with Allan McGregor.
“We’ve seen it before at Kilmarnock where he came for the ball and missed it and this is on the back of Michael Beale saying that he played in one of the games because he’s better at coming for crosses,” said Foster (PLZ Football Show, 37m, 41s, 7 February).
“He’s almost set him up to fail but I don’t know any goalkeeper who would not like knowing if they’re not going to play every week. If you’re a number one goalkeeper, you typically start every game. The argument that Allan McGregor needs a rest doesn’t wash. I can’t see him being happy at this constant rotation.”
Long term solution
A longer-term solution is certainly required when it comes to Rangers’ goalkeeper. McGregor is clearly preferred in the bigger games, and despite his age, it’s unlikely that he’s struggling with fatigue. Quite why Beale is so eager to chop and change remains somewhat of a mystery – and it will come back to bite him sooner or later.
When the summer comes around a new goalkeeper will have to be one of the Light Blues’ transfer priorities. Manchester City youngster James Trafford is a target, with the 21-year-old enjoying a superb campaign on loan at Bolton Wanderers (The Daily Mail, 30 December).
With McGregor likely to call it a day at the end of the season, it makes sense for the Gers to target a younger alternative. McLaughlin still has his doubters and is yet to fully convince the Ibrox faithful that he’s the man to replace the Gers’ icon in goal.
It’s certainly an area for fans to keep an eye on when the summer window opens.
In other Rangers news, one player who is better than the Hearts squad was dubbed “different class” on BBC Sportsound as he wowed against Ross County.