Barry Ferguson: Allan McGregor Rangers exit this summer could be mistake, money should be spent on striker
Barry Ferguson believes replacing Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor shouldn’t be Michael Beale’s number one priority this summer and could prove to be a very costly mistake.
McGregor, 41, runs out of contract at Ibrox in the summer and is reportedly “almost certain” to hang the gloves up at the end of the season. [Daily Record, 16 February]
However, former Gers player Ferguson, writing in his weekly column for the Daily Record (4 March), stated that McGregor still has the ability to carry on for another season, and Beale must instead use his transfer kitty to sign a striker.
He wrote: “When you look at the big picture facing Beale and Rangers this summer, replacing their No.1 keeper doesn’t have to be anywhere near the top of the priority list. In fact, I’d go as far as to say, it could end up becoming a very costly mistake for a whole number of reasons.
“First and foremost, the whole point in making changes is surely to improve the quality of the current starting XI. And the more I see of Greegsy in goals this season, the more I worry that any new arrival might end up being a downgrade from what they’ve already got.
“If money is going to be tight this summer then I’m sure Beale’s biggest priority will be in recruiting a new No.9. If he saves himself cash on a keeper he might be able to buy a striker worth £5m rather than one for £2.5m.”
New era
Although McGregor has been a mainstay in between the sticks for Rangers for a number of years, for Beale to really start stamping his image on the Gers, he sadly has to move on.
The keeper is synonymous with the past eras of Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst and must realise that his time at the club is at a close. McGregor could probably do a solid job for Beale’s side if he were to stay next season, but is solid going to topple Celtic off the top of the Scottish Premiership table?
With the likes of James Sands already sent back from his loan, McGregor’s contract running out in the summer and both Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent’s future’s up in the air, a changing of the guard seems to be in store for the club this summer.
Although an all-time great of the club, it is time for McGregor to hand over the reins.
In other Rangers news, Micah Richards accused Chris Sutton of making his Beale feud personal.