Rangers “need a keeper” as journalist makes transfer claim

When Allan McGregor replaced Jon McLaughlin in the 119th minute of the Scottish Cup final, Rangers fans would’ve jumped to the same conclusion, that it was a parting gift and a farewell to the club where his career spanned twenty years as a senior player between two spells.

If it is to be his last appearance, then walking off Hampden as a winner isn’t a bad way to go, likewise, his performance in Seville is one he can be proud of, it had looked like it was written in the stars for him to be a hero, however, it wasn’t to be, Eintracht Frankfurt’s penalties were too good even for a keeper of his calibre to get to.

McLaughlin has shown, beyond doubt, when he has deputised for the Gers number one, that he can be trusted. His performances in the Scottish Cup as well as other league games is testament to this, he is the safest pair of hands – an 89th minute corner against Hearts would normally have seen us under intense pressure but the understudy came off his line to collect it cleanly, he might not be as good a shot stopper but he more than makes up for it in other areas.

There is though, speculation that we are looking to strengthen that department, we have been linked with the likes of Benjamin Siegrist who is leaving Dundee United and Sam Johnstone who is on his way out of West Brom, journalist Alan Nixon confirming that we “need a keeper” when responding to a question on Twitter about who our targets might be.

Personally, I hope it is a back-up to McLaughlin that we are looking for, 21 clean sheets in 30 games and never a mistake made means that he deserves his shot, McGregor’s gloves might be impossible to fill but I’d rather have someone I trust between the sticks than a needless gamble.