Pre-match on Saturday, Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave a firm update on his first choice goalkeeper for the upcoming period.
Unless anything unexpected happens, the Dutchman confirmed that Allan McGregor will assume the ‘number one’ role until further notice.
McLaughlin got the nod from the start of the season but an uncertain series of displays was compounded by the drastic 4-0 double loss against Celtic and Ajax where he was culpable for some of the goals lost including the howler at Parkhead. Soon after, Ibrox veteran McGregor was back in for Napoli and has kept his place since.
Gio spoke to Sky Sports from Tynecastle on Saturday prior to kick off, stating:
“We started the season with Jon (McLaughlin) and from now on Allan will continue in goal.”
Soccer Football – Champions League – Group A – Rangers v Napoli – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 14, 2022 Napoli’s Giovanni Simeone in action with Rangers’ Allan McGregor Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Forward
This was a decision effectively taken out of the manager’s hands.
A perfect storm of bad form and injury meant that it was a ‘no-brainer’ to restore McGregor at the expense of McLaughlin. The former Sunderland and Hearts stopper was perceived to be a better fit for his ball distribution and kicking ability, particularly with the way the team plays out from the back.
That remains true to an extent but the argument is shot to pieces when the fourth goal in the September defeat to Celtic is mentioned. Then there is the more pressing fundamental of shot stopping. Even past his peak, McGregor is still superior in this area, clearly.
Hopefully, the time on the bench has renewed a focus for McGregor in some aspects of his game that he is deemed to be lacking. At 40, he is not suddenly going to change his game but as long as his consistency holds up, he will remain between the posts.
Going forward to January and next season, the goalkeeper position is one that needs careful attention, Robby McCrorie included.
Watch this very substantial space.