The goalkeeper debate at Rangers is one that has ebbed and flowed over the last couple of years primarily due to the fact that our fist choice is now an incredible 40-years old.
Allan McGregor joined the likes of Gianluigi Buffon and Edwin van Der Saw in reaching the milestone at a major club when he turned the big 4 – 0 in January and will be hoping that the three goals he lost shortly after in the Old Firm derby are the last he loses this season, there will certainly be nobody more determined to make amends, put it that way.
There has though, already been plans put in place for next season with Jon McLaughlin extending his Rangers contract for another two seasons which has been followed up with a report that the club is keeping and eye on Schalke stopper Martin Fraisl, according to The Daily Mail:
“Norwich City and Scottish champions Rangers are monitoring Schalke goalkeeper Martin Fraisl.
“The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and is attracting interest from a number of clubs across Europe who are looking out for an experienced keeper as a free agent.
“Austrian Fraisl has kept five clean sheets in the 14 appearances he has made this season for Schalke who are fifth in Bundesliga Two and pushing for a return to the German top flight after an upturn in form.”
Fraisl only signed last summer from Ado den Haag and has impressed in his time with the Germans, it’s unclear – as in the case with Benjamin Siegrist – if we are looking for another keeper to challenge for the top spot or for a senior option to provide competition and cover for McLaughin who, in fairness, has never let the club down and deserves his chance.
Robby McCrorie impressed in his two games earlier in the season, playing key roles in vital games agains Alashkert and Celtic, there’s no reason why he can’t be promoted to number two and trusted to deputise whenever needed.
With Scotland age group keepers at every level in the academy, I’m not sure really need another that could potentially block the pathway, the two games that McCrorie played this season will have done him the world of good.
Goalkeeper isn’t an easy position to get right and it’s one that can go very wrong if a bad move is made, replacing a club legend is impossible, making the safe decision, on this occasion, isn’t.