Despite a relatively routine win over Ross County on Saturday, the major talking point from a Rangers perspective was the goalkeeping error that led to a nervy last few minutes.
A lack of killer instinct ensured the game was not put beyond doubt despite the Gers dominance in possession. A 65th minute equaliser came about when Jon McLaughlin flapped at the cross following a short corner, where the home defence was also caught sleeping. Michael Beale made reference to that post match but the cross ball was one that McLaughlin was never getting to.
It was a bad decision and another error between the sticks however Kris Boyd feels that it’s down to a lack of consistent game time for either stopper that this issue continues with a message to the manager that he should make his call and stick to it.
The former Rangers striker told Sky Sports on Sunday:
“Get one and put them in goals. If you want Jon McLaughlin to be your number one then put Jon McLaughlin in goals. If you want Allan McGregor to be your number one put him in and leave him in.”
“The biggest thing for a goalie is decision-making. So it’s not whether you can come for cross balls or not, if you make a decision to come for a ball you’re never getting, it doesn’t matter how good you are at getting them you need to make the right decision.”
With three months of the campaign remaining and Rangers still having plenty to play for on three fronts, there remains a lot of football to be played so it remains to be seen if Beale will continue with his policy of rotation between the sticks. It is a call that he should be making but for now he feels that he has to share the load.
It is a situation that cannot hold for much longer.