Gerrard gives injury update as stand-in delivers “strong performance” on Rangers debut
Steven Gerrard gave an update on Allan McGregor’s injury status after the veteran stopper missed the 3-0 win over St Mirren and praised the performance of his replacement, Jon McLaughlin.
The Scottish Sun reported the gaffer’s post match analysis in which he highlighted his club’s newly found competition for places that hadn’t been there previously, with summer signing McLaughlin impressing since he signed from Sunderland:
“Allan had a bang on Thursday and is going in for a scan tomorrow just to get that checked out.
“I don’t think it’s anything serious. I suspect he’ll be available for Wednesday night.
“But Jon has done fantastic. It was a really strong debut. He came for one cross he might regret coming for, but he got a clean sheet and was really positive in everything he did.
“I thought it was a strong performance from him.
“We have two keepers who are capable of being no.1 and that’s the way I want it.”
McLaughlin has looked an assured presence since his arrival at Ibrox and although it was felt that he would only offer experienced back-up to Robby McCrorie when he returns from his loan at Livingston to challenge for the number one spot, few would begrudge the Scotland cap if he were to assume the mantel from McGregor.
Can McLaughlin succeed McGregor as Rangers number one?
There is very much an air of Neil Alexander about McLaughlin in that he is the proverbial safe pair of hands, however, his ability on the ball has not gone unnoticed either in France on pre-season duty or against St Mirren at the weekend, but McGregor does have credit in the bank though and will remain Gerrard’s number one for the foreseeable future, if he continues to operate at his usual high levels.