Michael Beale drops hint on Allan McGregor’s future as history beckons for veteran goalkeeper
Rangers boss Michael Beale has hinted that veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor could remain at Ibrox beyond this season as he’s set to make his 500th appearance for the Gers.
McGregor looked set to hang up his gloves last summer, only for ex-Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst to convince him to pen a new deal for another year following the club’s exploits in the Europa League.
Reports in the Daily Record [16 February] revealed that the 41-year-old will retire at the end of the campaign but Beale has hinted McGregor could still go on beyond this season as he is set to join the prestigious 500-club against Dundee on Saturday [1 April].
Beale told Rangers TV [28 March]. “To achieve 500 games for Rangers is a very special achievement, very few have done it in the past and certainly to the age that Allan’s played and the achievements he’s had at the club.
“He’s been a cornerstone of everything that’s been good about this club since I came in 2018 and I think he can be hugely proud and he’s not finished yet.
“It’ll be 500 and something, it won’t end at 500. The service that he’s given this football club, as a young boy coming through our academy, is outstanding.”
500 and up?
It is incredible indeed that McGregor is still going strong, performing at the highest level at his age, and there are no reasons why he won’t extend his stay at the club beyond this summer.
Many Gers fans will be hugely anticipating the club to spend some cash on a long-term replacement this summer, with Norwich City’s Angus Gunn and Preston North End’s Freddie Woodman reported targets and representing ideal replacements for McGregor.
However, Beale may well be hinting that the Gers legend may well be playing at the club next season with McGregor showing no signs of slowing down.
His experience and winning mentality will be crucial too, with Beale set to undergo a major assault on Celtic on all fronts next season and the 41-year-old will be vital to those ambitions.
However, Beale’s hints should not stop the club from going out and getting a long-term solution this summer and as McGregor may no longer hold the capacity to play 30-odd games next season.
In other Rangers news, this Ibrox coach is being tipped to leave Govan for a “big club in England” as managerial speculation emerges south of the border.