Stefan Klos was a very popular figure in his time as Rangers goalkeeper, that fact resonates to this day.
The unassuming German appears happy in his retirement, away from the glare of professional football and media attention.
He doesn’t often give interviews so when he speaks, you have to listen.
The man nicknamed ‘Der Goalie’ with a nod to Andy Goram as well as his own prowess, has sent a message of admiration and advice to his one-time understudy, Allan McGregor.
As reported by the Sunday Post, Klos is very happy to see Rangers return to the top and he wants to see McGregor to remain as number one, but only if it is right for the 39-year old.
He stated, “If Allan feels fit and healthy in body and mind, then I think he should keep going.”
“Only he will know exactly how he feels, but in terms of performances this season, he has been outstanding.”
“It’s as though he has been on a personal mission to stop Celtic from doing 10-in-a-row.”
“So he may feel this is the perfect time to hang up his gloves. Going out in this way might be the best ever because it’s such an important title for many reasons.”
“But the flip side is that he will have the opportunity to go and play in the Champions League again. That must be very appealing.”
“At the end of the day, age is just a number. There is every chance he feels better now than he felt when he was 35. We will see.”
“Whatever happens, he has had a brilliant career. He can be very proud.”
Now resident in Switzerland, where he can pursue his fondness for skiing, Klos reflected on his memories of McGregor with praise.
Back when Dick Advocaat signed him from Borussia Dortmund in 1998, he was already a Champions League winner. How times have changed in football!
Belief
Klos, now 49, continued:
“My goodness, I remember him as a boy. He was so young when he came to Rangers. Now he is getting so old”
“From our first few training sessions together, I could see he had something special.”
“He had great hands and had quick feet. He was brave. He had all the attributes.”
“He always wanted to work hard and our goalkeeping coach, Alan Hodgkinson, liked that. We would talk together about the potential young Allan possessed.”
“Allan was ambitious and wanted to improve every day. He wanted to become a first-team goalkeeper as quickly as possible, and he just needed to gather experience.”
“He was also a popular boy, and was so good in the group. The senior professionals liked him. He was great company.”
“When his career took off and he had many games under his belt, I felt he had the ability to go and play for a top-four side in England. That’s how highly I rated him.”
High praise indeed from a top class keeper and a winner, just like McGregor himself.
The full interview here is well worth a read with the great insight provided from Stefan Klos.