By Graeme Hanna

24th Apr, 2023 | 10:10am

Journalist tips Robby McCrorie to leave Ibrox in Rangers transfer news

Robby McCrorie must leave Rangers this summer, that is the verdict of journalist Joel Sked, in his column for The Scotsman.

The goalkeeper is still awaiting a breakthrough, having to settle for a backup role behind Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin in the pecking order at Ibrox.

Michael Beale has previously stated that he will get his opportunity but nothing has happened yet, leaving him on jut two senior appearances for the club.

The expectation is that McCrorie will see game time in the final league fixtures of the Scottish Premiership campaign, but Sked puts forward that it could be a matter of too little, too late.

“He has a deal until 2025 but as things stand it doesn’t look like he will get a chance to stake his claim for the No.1 spot next season, let alone get the No.1 spot next season”, he stated.

“Very highly rated and still amongst the Scotland fold until recently. But he needs to play games.

“Being a third or even second wheel at Rangers is not going to help him develop. It is not going to allow him to be the goalkeeper many hoped and expected.

“This summer is a significant one for the goalkeeper, whether it is permanently or on loan, McCrorie’s future should be away from Ibrox.”

Now or never, simple as that

In addition to the full 2020/21 season at Livingston in the Scottish Premiership, McCrorie has had other loan spells at Berwick Rangers, Greenock Morton and Queen of the South, respectively.

He is approaching a career crossroads, given that the last two seasons have been spent effectively as a backup option or training goalkeeper, with only two appearances to call upon and that was enforced due to the onset of Covid and its impact on the Rangers squad.

Beale has said that his chance is coming but we are still waiting. The keeper hasn’t been helped by a recent ankle injury which kept him out of contention for a while but he is now back and involved again.

One line of thinking could be that once the crucial Scottish Cup semi-final has taken place, then the 25-year old will be given a few matches in the final five league fixtures of the season. Why not, we will never know about his capability unless he is tested with a run in the team.

Unfortunately for McCrorie, he isn’t going to get the games to earn his place as a number one for next year meaning that he could be forced to settle for second choice if he is to remain at Ibrox.

A loan or permanent move does appear in order for the new campaign unless he is going to feature.

In other Rangers news, injury expert states that Ianis Hagi will have separate training regime and is unlikely to start games soon.