Jack Butland sends departing legend Allan McGregor farewell message after 16 combined Rangers seasons
Jack Butland has sent a departing message to Ibrox legend Allan McGregor, with the 41-year-old leaving Rangers after 16 combined seasons.
McGregor joined Rangers’ academy in 1998 and made his professional debut in 2002, departing after 505 appearances for the club. The goalkeeper got to say his own farewell to the Ibrox faithful at his testimonial on Tuesday (18 July) in a 2-1 loss to Newcastle.
Former Crystal Palace and Manchester United shot-stopper Butland took to Twitter on Thursday morning (20 July) to express his well-wishes to McGregor while complimenting his iconic and legendary spell at Rangers.
He wrote: “An honour to be a part of the atmosphere and reception for a goalkeeping icon and club legend was out of this world. Incredible career and best wishes for the future Allan.”
Icon
Anyone who can make over 500 appearances for the same club is likely someone who will go down in the club’s history. McGregor is no exception.
Butland’s message on Twitter feels like something of a torch passing from the old Rangers generation to the new as Michael Beale’s side looks to challenge on all fronts next season.
But McGregor has been around the club to know all their ups and downs.
He won three Scottish Premiership titles and three Scottish Cups in his first spell at the club but departed the club as a free agent when Rangers went into administration in 2012.
He then bounced between the Premier League and the Championship with Hull City after a spell in Turkey with Besiktas.
He made a grand return to Ibrox after six years away and continued to be a mainstay in the squad up until his final season, with 36 total appearances in 2022/23.
He even helped Rangers back to the top of Scottish football under Steven Gerrard when they won the league in 2019/20 and even started in their historic Europa League final defeat to Frankfurt in 2022.
Legends are few and far between these days, and Rangers will be sad to see one of theirs close this chapter in his career.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox could earn a seven-figure windfall if the sale of a current Ajax star to Fulham goes through.