Michael Beale call on Allan McGregor Ibrox ‘heir’ a ‘defining’ Rangers moment – Chris Jack
Michael Beale’s decision on Allan McGregor’s “heir” will be a “defining” moment of his tenure at Rangers, according to the Herald’s Chris Jack.
McGregor decided to prolong his playing career in the summer and has been the Gers’ number one for the majority of the 2022/23 campaign.
However, this season will almost certainly be his last at Ibrox and Jack has suggested a decision as to who should succeed the veteran will have to be made soon, and when it is made it will be crucial.
“Beale will determine soon enough whether McCrorie is the heir to the McGregor throne. The court of public opinion has already ruled that McLaughlin is not and the keeper situation will go some way to defining Beale’s first full term in charge, and indeed the coming years,” wrote Jack in The Herald (8 February).
“The process of returning Rangers to number one in the Premiership will start with a new number one being recruited. The position and the process simply must be a priority at Ibrox.”
New addition
The situation should have been rectified last summer – and McGregor’s previous decision to carry on playing probably hindered the whole saga. Jon McLaughlin looked destined to be the Light Blues’ number one and McGregor’s prolonged playing career has been a big blow to the former Sunderland man.
Ultimately, both players will likely be moved on in the summer. McLaughlin is in the latter stages of his career and will be wanting to play week in and week out in the 2023/24 season.
Robby McCrorie has had some rotten luck with injury and is yet to really show that he’s worthy of being the number one at Ibrox.
Realistically, looking elsewhere to a younger alternative should be the route the Gers go down. James Trafford was a January target and the Manchester City youngster is exactly the type of young player Beale will be after.
He’s had plenty of first-team experience at League One side Bolton Wanderers and certainly looks like he has the ability to make the step up.
In other Rangers news, one player who Michael Beale wants to keep in his team may not agree to stick around.