I’ve spent most of the season looking for Jon McLaughlin to be given a run in the first-team, even more so when Allan McGregor started costing us points on a regular basis.
McGregor’s decline hasn’t been lineal, there has still been some standard world class saves and outstanding performances in between the poor – particularly in the Europa League – but it was still a surprise to see McLaughlin start between the sticks, even if he is the designated cup keeper.
But for one heavy touch that led to a corner kick, he was outstanding. He had a lot of the ball at his feet and was more than happy to wait for movement rather than going long straight away but that’s not what was most impressive.
Everytime Celtic threw in crosses from open play or set-pieces he was there relieving pressure from his defence.
In a game where he didn’t really have a save to make he did the basics well, basics that McGregor just hasn’t been doing this season.
When it matter most – in injury time after the 90 minutes had come and gone – McLaughlin made two pivotal interventions at corner kicks. We lost three points at Ibrox due to indecisive goalkeeping, not this time.
The Gers number 33 coming off his line, out of his six-yard box, to punch clear not once, but twice.
It’s an ability that looks so simple but one that we’ve just not been used to in recent years, anything can happen if the first contact by a defender isn’t a good one, a ricochet, deflection or someone switching off.
If McLaughlin didn’t do enough to convince you that he should be given a chance to be Rangers number one next season then I don’t know what will.