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McLaughlin makes McGregor concession as the keepers wait on decision

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Image for McLaughlin makes McGregor concession as the keepers wait on decision

Rangers’ Jon McLaughlin has made a concession in regard to his counterpart Allan McGregor as they and everyone else wait on the decision from Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

At around 1100 tomorrow prior to the game at Livingston, we will learn who gets the nod as number 1 to start the season between the sticks.

If we rewind back to May and the Scottish Cup Final, it appeared that McGregor was presented with his final farewell. Introduced as a late sub in extra time, in place of McLaughlin, the Rangers veteran took the loud acclaim of the supporters, a theme which continued long into the celebrations as the squad paraded the trophy around Hampden.

There was an expectation after an up and down season for McGregor that he would bow out at the age of 40, but instead he has rolled the dice one more time, with an agreed 12 month deal signed.

There is no doubt that the veteran played a part in Rangers going all the way to Seville for the Europa League Final but he was also highly culpable for repeated mistakes as daft points were squandered in the Premiership.

Beyond that, his kicking and distribution isn’t the strongest and negates the style of play instilled by Giovanni van Bronckhorst as well as AMcG’s still outstanding shot-stopping ability, as displayed last week against Spurs.

As reported by the Glasgow Times this week, former Hearts and Sunderland keeper McLaughlin reflected on recent matters:

“To be fair, I did think from what we had heard from his own personal feelings that it might be the time that he decides to stop. But I always knew that hunger was still there for him and you could see that.”

“There was no way of knowing what way it was going to go because he has shown that he can still play at that top level and it will be very difficult to walk away at that stage.”

“I wasn’t surprised when I saw that he had re-signed and you can see in pre-season that the hunger is still there for him.”

Issue

As much as there are questions facing McGregor, his competition isn’t flawless – far from it.

Jon McLaughlin suits the style of play as a better ‘footballer’, able to play out and ping a ball as well as a keenness to come for crossed balls but overall and one-to-one? Doubtful.

The problem for Rangers is that this issue won’t go away all season, mistakes and frailties will emerge without the presence of a clear and undisputed No.1. Then there is the issue of Robby McCrorie…

As it stands, it seems that Allan McGregor will prevail, to continue as Rangers and Gio’s goalkeeper of choice with that decision now just hours away.

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